Finding Faith ... in celebrating 'Ordinary Time' with a zest

EDITOR'S NOTE: In October 2021 I began a new venture writing a newspaper column titled "Finding Faith" for the Forum Communications Co. network of newspapers and websites. I was asked to contribute to the company's ongoing conversation about faith, lending a Lutheran and fairly ecumenical approach to the discussion. The column was published in several of the company's papers and websites, including The Forum of Fargo-Moorhead. This column originally appeared as a "Finding Faith" column on June 2, 2023.

The Rev. Devlyn Brooks at his home church, Faith Lutheran Church in Wolverton, Minn.

By The Rev. Devlyn Brooks

We’ve now entered a time in the liturgical calendar -- or church year -- known as “Ordinary Time,” a period that will last from the celebration of Pentecost through to Advent late in the year.

To some, it may seem that this is a stagnant time of the year in the church. After all, there are no important religious celebrations during this time, much of the year’s church programming is in the books and many places of worship will face a steady decline in attendance all the way through to September when church life again will explode with activity.

It’s unfortunate, though, that so many opt out of their church lives for the months of “Ordinary Time,” thinking that so little is going on. This time of year is just as important to the cycle of church life as the biggest celebrations of the year. 

For instance, several years ago, as our church was coming out of the pandemic restrictions, we voted to begin holding summer worship services on Wednesday nights because our Sunday attendance had declined so much. Three years later, we continue the practice as we realized that we stumbled upon a tradition that our congregation enjoys. In fact, this year we’re adding one outdoor service a month because the folks who attend have come to thoroughly enjoy the Wednesday night “campfire” worships.

As pastor, I too appreciate the summer Wednesday night services. We begin the evening with a sit down, family style meal before worship, and then come together with a shortened version of service. Shorter and sweet; a midweek pause together as a faith family for community, worship and the sacraments.

The experience provides an entirely different vibe for those attending, and frankly, I think, meets our congregation where they are at. And, who knows, without the luxury of the period of “Ordinary Time,” maybe we never would have experimented with such a spirit-filled concept!

I even find that I lighten up as a pastor during this period of the church year as well. Fewer demands on my time; the opportunity to try out some new preaching angles; a little more time for studying the scriptures. All of which, I believe, gives me a chance to reset as a pastor.

“Ordinary Time” is no time to hit snooze during the liturgical year. Approached with a new zeal for the slower, less stressful period of worship, one can find a new appreciation for their faith. After all, one of the purposes of “Ordinary Time” is to remove all of the biggest distractions to provide time for us to mature in our faith.

“Ordinary Time” isn’t a boring time in our church year. It’s actually a time that gives us an opportunity to dig even deeper into our faith. Amen.

Devlyn Brooks is an ordained pastor in the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, and serves Faith Lutheran Church in Wolverton, Minn. He also works for Forum Communications Co. He can be reached at devlynbrooks@gmail.com for comments and story ideas.