Reformationitis

Well, Reformation Sunday is over, and I'm still recovering.
Our Circuit celebration at Zion-Piedmont featured Rev. Dr. Victor Belton, black pastor of a black congregation in Decatur, Georgia and a member of Synod's Board of Directors.
Vic Belton is a "dynamic" preacher. Think Black Bapist. And I think, for most Lutherans, the style overrides the substance. He preached for a full 30 minutes. I lost track after about the first 5. He was all over the place...in content as well as the floor of the nave!
His premise was...That the Reformation began because the church had lost the WORD. Luther re-discovered (pause)---congregation responds---"the WORD." The problem in the church today is that we've lost (pause)---congegation responds---loudly ---"the WORD."
Now, that's a solid premise but, as above, he rambled all over the topic. Never quite sure what this segment had to do with the last one. Even heard a couple of "let me hear an Amen."
Some from our congregation really ate this up. Several others from other congregations in the Ciruit (charismatic, "creative worship", whatever)...really got into it.
Belton preached at our 8:30 and 11:00 regular services, and it was pretty much the same thing. We at Zion appreciate the liturgy, we want preaching from the pulpit, and we figure that a 15 minute sermon is "max." Particularly when we have communion, too. A couple of 'em just got up and left at 12:00 on the dot!
Now, Vic Belton is a nice guy. I spoke with him for a few minutes after the 11:00 service and he's friendly, he's funny, and he's undoubtedly a good pastor to his flock. But Zion-Piedmont, California, isn't Decatur, Georgia...or Harlem. The medium is the message?
As far as the rest of the Reformation service...it was the full-blown panalopy, which Zion is very good at.
Sixteen clergy in the processional (6 participated in the service) preceeded by the Thurifer (yup, we had the smells, if not the bells!), Crucifer, Verger, two Banner bearers, the Book Bearer, 35 or so choir, and 10 assorted acolytes. (Two acolytes each attend the Crucifer, the Book Bearer, and the Thurifer, and two are Bearers of the Sacred Vessels holding the bread and the wine, plus a couple of extras.)
We had our newly rebuilt organ retuned, and with trumpets, french horns, and tympani the music was, indeed, fitting for the occasion. The choir did a four part Cantata which was written for Reformation by our former organist/choir director, David Babbitt, a Bach scholar, who died in February of '07.)
All in all.....impressive.....even if it did run 2 full hours. If only the sermon style hadn't clashed with the rest of it.