October 8, 2013 Worship exists in many different forms today. Whether it was always this way or not, even the best scholars are not sure. They are sure that worship was essential to the life of the Church and that Holy Communion and baptism were sacred from the beginning. If one goes to the Holy Land and has opportunity to see different ancient church sites, you may note that roof and walls are mostly gone, but there remains a simple Communion Table. Large congregations these days worship using the ‘contemporary’ format. This includes praise bands and music, informal dress for clergy and people, power point words for songs, and a gathering area that is intended to be more auditorium than sanctuary. Services are generally bright, songs sung with gusto, and preaching generally comes “when worship is done,” as one song leader put it. Some of the most articulate and capable preachers pastor such congregations. They serve and bless many. Then there are the liturgical congregations. The Roman Catholic Church for instance has about 66-70 million members in the USA depending on official records or results from surveys. Worship in Roman churches is strictly formal with colorful vestments, extensive readings between clergy and people, and with every part of the service done with exact preciseness. Long periods of instruction are required for membership. Catholics have great respect for religious saints and Church authorities with the Pope serving as the ‘Vicar’ or representative of Christ this side of heaven. An increasing number of young people are being attracted to such services because they include an appeal to all the senses: Sight, sound, smell, taste, and touch, not to mention the aesthetic beauty of the Mass together with the long (and sometimes complex) history of the Roman Church. Episcopal and Orthodox churches relate closely to this type of worship with some Episcopalians slightly less ‘high church,’ and Orthodox Christians slightly more formal. The appeal of the ancient to the modern in our time is interesting. Then there are ‘traditional’ church services. Here a combination of Hymns (from hymnbooks), Creeds, and Sacraments are offered those who attend. Choirs exist in place of praise groups and bands, and preaching is a central aspect of worship. Some traditional churches have clergy and choir in robes, others do not. At Wells, we have been given money ‘to by choir robes,’ but we explain (returning the gift) that our purpose is for every one present to be dressed as they generally do, and that there not be group distinctions based on appearance. Traditional churches may innovate and add to strengthen the service. They represent, for the most part, the ‘mainline’ practices of Protestant churches in this country. Some services of this type are vigorous and well attended, but many ‘traditional’ congregations are in decline. Legitimate critique can be raised for each approach to faith and worship. Today, I just wanted us to touch on some of the best-known practices in churches these days. Each of these groups exists for the purpose of relaying the essence of the faith to those who attend. God deliver us from worship experience where “Freshness diminishes, Newness fades, and everything becomes merely routine.” May all of our churches be blessed by the Presence and graceful activity of the Holy Spirit so that we become a people equipped for witness and service in today’s world. There are spiritually sensitive people who don’t ‘do church at all.’ Let’s see if we can live and love in ways that might make some want to as least give us a try. Always love, always, Keith
Posted on: Tue, 08 Oct 2013 13:00:07 +0000
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