The organ has been at the center of our Lutheran church music for five centuries. The “king of instruments” had already established itself in the west centuries before Luther and the reformers. And since one of the objectives of the Reformation was to restore music and congregational singing to the worship life of Christians, it makes perfect sense that the organ would become so endearing and enduring to our Lutheran identity.

Instead of understanding that God rules all things and entrusts a certain degree of authority to Caesar, many live as though Caesar rules all and permits the church to operate in a small corner of society.

Tonight, Monday, November 9, 2026, 7 pm Central time, the above pre-recorded debate will go live. The Thesis is: “Resolved: For the sake of the clarity of the Gospel, Lutheran congregations should preserve the historic orders of the Divine Service rather than adopt contemporary alternative forms, even when those alternatives are confessionally sound.” The Rev. Bryan Wolfmueller argues in the affirmative, and the Rev. Dr. Steve Zank argues in the negative.

When it premiers live, you will have the opportunity to comment in real time.