For many Christian traditions, participation in the liturgical year does not seem remarkable; in fact, it is second nature being the form, or liturgy, through which congregational members grew up practicing their faith. However, for those Christian traditions, like the Churches of Christ, who have avoided the liturgical year, the inclusion of liturgical practices is a substantial deviation in worship theology, practice, and comfort.
This article recounts one congregation’s journey through the liturgical calendar as a test case for a Doctor of Ministry project. The thesis questioned whether the introduction of the liturgical Christian calendar into the worship life of the Orient Street Church of Christ would help lead to the spiritual formation of its members. To test this thesis, the Orient Street congregation followed the holy day cycle of the liturgical Christian calendar. They were surveyed before entering the liturgical year and then again at the end. The two surveys were then compared to see if measurable spiritual growth had occurred. According to the surveys, growth did occur
