APU’s Liturgical Chapel has been a source of contention for a number of reasons. Some students feel represented by APU’s chapels, while others claim it is offensive and does not represent their tradition. The Chapel team has done their best to uphold the liturgical traditions while not conforming to one specific liturgy.
What is liturgy? Liturgy has been a historic worship style utilized by Roman Catholic, Eastern Orthodox, and Protestant Christians for many years. There are many different liturgies, some written by the saints of the faith, some adapted for different languages and cultures. Most include corporate prayers and confessions, with a short homily (sermon) and scripture readings, with communion being central to this style of worship. Some liturgies are set to song, some are merely spoken with musical worship as interludes.
Because liturgy is such an important part of so many faith traditions, APU Chapel seeks to include some homage to liturgy in their chapel services. They have sought to incorporate traditional liturgies from Catholic, Anglican, Episcopal, Lutheran, Methodist, and other traditions, while not intending to replicate Mass or any single denominational service. But, ecumenical efforts are not able to please everyone.
“I do not feel represented by Liturgical Chapel. I think they have elements of liturgy in the service, but I do not think it represents honor and reverence, which is the purpose of Mass,” said Kaitlyn Lesczynski ’26, a Psychology and Honors Humanities major who identifies as Catholic. “I find this a mockery of my tradition, and it does not honor it.” Other Catholic students have felt similarly, and this is a serious critique on their end.
Lesczynski is not the only one who has a problem with Liturgical Chapel.
“It would be better to not have it all; Protestantism cannot replicate Catholicism,” said Zelie Ebiner ’26, a History and Honors Humanities major.
According to Pastor Ta’tyana Leonard, about 25 percent of undergraduate students on campus are Catholic, which makes it an important population to represent at this theologically diverse school. It is important for APU to represent its students’ cultural and theological backgrounds, but APU is a Protestant school.
“[Liturgical Chapel is intended to] reflect Azusa Pacific University’s ecumenical and evangelical identity—honoring the breadth and beauty of Christian worship while remaining rooted in our Wesleyan Holiness and Protestant heritage,” Leonard shared.
So, if APU is a Protestant school, how do we, in the spirit of hospitality, accommodate the large number of Catholic students on campus?
Perhaps more explanation is needed. Many Catholic students are offended by this chapel because they see it as a poor replication of a Mass. Chapel leaders are trying to implement reverent practices that fall under Protestant liturgies.
Perhaps if there is a more intentional explanation as to the purpose of this chapel, there would be less controversy surrounding Liturgical Chapel. There could be other solutions to the problem of students from a liturgical chapel not feeling represented by Spiritual Life.
To solve this, Ebiner suggested that APU should allow its Catholic students to receive chapel credit for attending Mass at a local church in the mornings.
In his sermon entitled “The Catholic Spirit,” John Wesley advocates that Christians should be firmly convicted in what they believe, but also hospitable to those who believe differently. He held that we should be firmly convicted in our beliefs while still respecting those around us who worship differently.
Benjamin Vandevert ’26, a Violin Performance major and Honors Humanities minor who serves as the musical director for the Liturgical Chapel band, commented on this chapel.
“There is certainly room for change. It is always difficult being a lead on any of the bands because there needs to be a balance between what the students need and what leadership is able to accomplish,” Vandevert said.
Many students on campus have never experienced the kinds of traditions APU intends to represent, and the chapel team seeks to accommodate those people and gently expose them to a new sort of tradition.
Vandevert asserted that Liturgical Chapel should focus more on accommodating students from liturgical traditions than tailoring the experience towards students experiencing it for the first time.
“It is paramount that the people coming from that tradition are represented in those specific chapels,” Vandevert said.
In the spirit of ecumenical worship, it is crucial that APU represents styles of worship that resonate with the students, including students from different cultures and worship styles.
The antidote to the misconception that Liturgical Chapel is trying to imitate Mass is to clearly explain the intention behind Liturgical Chapel.
For those who have never experienced a liturgical tradition, explaining where it comes from and its purpose may ease the discomfort of the unknown.
For those who regularly attend Mass, Spiritual Life should explain the tenets of APU and shed light on the existence and importance of protestant liturgies.
For those who regularly attend a protestant liturgical church, continue to gather feedback and adjust based on the range of experiences.
And for the Christian attending chapel, Romans 12:18 offers good advice, “If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.”