 The
following description of The Order comes from our mission statement:
"A religious order in the United Methodist Church dedicated
to sacramental and liturgical scholarship,
education, and practice."
A
Religious Order...
Traditionally,
religious orders are characterized by persons covenanting together
to live in community, either physically or spiritually, under
a common "Rule" of spiritual discipline. Orders have
been formed to perform a specific task (a "work"),
or around a discipline for spiritual growth.
The
Order of St Luke was formed to bring about a recovery of the
worship and sacramental practice which has sustained the Church
since its formation in Apostolic times. At the same time we
seek to help the Church rediscover the spiritual disciplines
of the Wesleys as a means of perceiving and fulfilling the mission
for which the Church was formed.
...in
the United Methodist Church
 The
Order of St Luke was founded in 1946 in the former Methodist Church
and holds the status of Affiliate Organization with the Section
on Worship of the General Board of Discipleship of the United
Methodist Church.
Our
moving and sustaining source is that vision of John and Charles
Wesley who sought to bring about a sacramental as well as evangelical
revival in the church.
While
much of our work is within the United Methodist Church, we support
the universal Church's seeking to become perfect in love in this
world.
...dedicated
to Sacramental
We
magnify (lift up the importance of) the sacraments. Baptism
is the sacrament, once given, which incorporates persons into
the Body of Christ for service. The eucharist sustains the lives
of all Christians by remembering the life-gift of Christ.
 We
believe that the Church is the redemptive Body of Jesus Christ,
preserving and reforming His Body.
We
support the commitment of the emerging undivided Church that
the service of Word and Sacrament will become normative for
Christian worship.
...and
Liturgical
Liturgy
is the "work of the people" in offering the worship
of the Church to God, in union with Christ and in the power
of the Holy Spirit. This is most richly effected when the entire
people may consciously, fully and actively participate. We make
faithful use in all our ministries of the rites of the Church,
historically and ecumenically grounded, which enable us to express
our worship in unity with the universal Church.
...Scholarship
While
worship addresses the subjective part of our being, it is, first
and foremost, an objective activity designed to give thanks
and praise to Almighty God. We believe that we must understand
the " why" as well as the "how" if we are
to lead the Church into claiming more fully its identity and
mission which are God-given.
We
know that the worship practices and forms of the past have value
to inform and amplify our present efforts, but we are not captives
of any ancient dogma. Liturgy speaks to both the objective and
subjective natures when it is in the "heart language"
of the people. There are many ways of worshiping. We support
exploration of differing styles of worship leadership with integrity
historically, ecumenically and in the local setting by both
lay and clergy.
...Education
We
support the efforts of the Church-at-large to increase the full
worship and sacramental education in the seminaries.
Additionally,
we offer opportunities for learning through annual Retreats
and quadrennial Convocations which bring together leading scholars
in these fields.
Our
periodical, Sacramental Life, offers "reports from the
field" in liturgical development based on actual experience
in local churches. The focus is practical and this publication
is designed to address everyday praxis.
Our
annual journal, Doxology, publishes new works by contemporary
theologians which address current trends and developments in
liturgical and sacramental theology.
In
addition, The Order has made major contributions to the exploration
of Pastoral Offices with the publication of occasional services.
...and
Practice
 We
believe that the sacraments provide spiritual nourishment that
empowers us to live a positive and healing witness before the
world.
We
will share in the celebration of the sacraments with frequency
and regularity and offer continuing instruction in their meaning
and implication.
As
Christians seek to strengthen their spiritual lives, they often
feel alone, as if they were the only ones in the struggle. The
Order of St Luke seeks to assist persons to grow closer to God
through a life of discipline which includes, among other things:
Spiritual
Formation
We
believe we are formed or shaped by our intentional experiences
in faith. These are found in corporate worship, community and
individual retreats, devotional exercises of prayer, music or
other intentional exercise. The Order of St Luke brings together
these disciplines for our members and invites them to Lukan
spiritual formation.
The
Cross and Flame is a registered trademark and the use is supervised
by the General Council on Finance and Administration of The United
Methodist Church. Permission to use the Cross and Flame must be
obtained from the General Council on Finance and Administration
of The United Methodist Church:
Legal
Department
GCFA
Post Office Box 340029
Nashville, TN 37203-0029
Phone: 615-369-2334
Fax: 615-369-2330
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