I'm blogging for the first time...so you'll have to bear with me!
I have been thinking about worship and the church for a long time. This is my 11th year in worship ministry, and I've been involved in many aspects. I was a church musician for the first nine years of ministry, and I led and experienced many types of worship - in a traveling praise band, the very formal worship of Duke University Chapel, and everywhere in between. Since then, I've been involved in leading and planning worship experiences in pastoral ministry.
The church I currently serve is a microcosm (I think) of what churches around the world are experiencing today in terms of diversity in worship. Everyone has an opinion about what they want in worship - a style that speaks to them. I've heard people describe it as generational, but I don't think that's the case. There are people in older generations that desire the worship style of the 1920's and 30's only; others want more formal worship with processions and incense; still others are open to the multitude of music and worship that comes out every day. I believe the same is true for almost every generation.
I don't know that there is a perfect solution. I've heard and experienced many different styles of worship that seek to address this diversity - blended worship, emergent worship, and multigenerational worship, to name a few. In my experience, these trends are attempting to address the desires of people in congregations throughout the world - and sometimes they are successful, and sometimes not.
I wish I had the perfect solution, but I don't. Instead, I want to use this space to offer some insights I've discovered throughout my journey in ministry. Keep taking a look to see what I post, and let me know of your thoughts so that we can grow in ministry together.
4 comments:
The issue of worship styles is a complex one. It seems that it often brings out the self-centered preferences of people, rather than putting the focus and attention on God. But alas, we have to worship in some style! I see it something like we have 2000 years to glean the music that best helps our local congregation express their heartsong to God.
Its amazing how worship styles can create wars among believers isn't it!
By the way! I'm so glad we're blogging buddies jay!
wow, patty, great thought. tried anything like that? I'd be interested in trying something like that
I've heard about that trend away from the weekly meetings, and definitely experience it with people here as well. Its heard to find scriptural backing to tell people they need to come to church. The clearest thing is Hebrews 10:24-25, but that could also be satisfied by meeting in homes, etc. George Barna wrote this book, Revolutionaries, I think its called that deals with the new trend in Christians away from church. Your idea seems like an interesting thing to consider.
Post a Comment