The Rev. Dr. Gordon W. Lathrop will preach in Sunday services on February 22. Professor Lathrop is Charles A. Schieren Professor of Liturgy at the Lutheran Theological Seminary at Philadelphia. He also serves as Chaplain of the Seminary.
The Rev. Lathrop has completed academic degrees at Occidental College, BA 1961; Luther Seminary, BD 1966; University of Nijmigen (The Netherlands), ThDrs 1969. He served pastorates in Wisconsin and Washington.
Professor Lathrop is especially interested in the worship life of the local congregation and in the relationships between liturgy and life. He teaches courses in pastoral liturgy and in liturgical theology. As Chaplain, he is also responsible for the worship life of the seminary community. He has written several books, including a trilogy on the meanings of Christian worship: Holy Things: A Liturgical Theology (Fortress, 1993); Holy People: A Liturgical Ecclesiology (Fortress, 1999); and Holy Ground: A Liturgical Cosmology (Fortress 2003). He has been active in international discussions of the relationship between worship and the search for Christian unity. He has engaged in research on the links between liturgy and culture, liturgy and ethics, and liturgy and mission. He is a past president of the North American Academy of Liturgy and a member of Societas Liturgica.
Dr. Lathrop is in Houston addressing members of the Lutheran-Methodist dialogue team. He will also consult with the ministry staff during his visit.