We celebrated the life of one of our elders today. She was a woman of dignity, and deep faith which saw her face a diagnosis of liver cancer with grace and hope. She chose the songs for the service, and as a community we were able to proclaim the good news and affirm the Christian conviction that death is not the end, as well as celebrate a life of service to others.
In contrast, a celebrant took the service of another church member, in which the gathered mourners were encouraged to dwell on our memories of the deceased, for in this way she would never die. Vague, secular platitudes are a meager diet for those in grief.
Thursday, October 28, 2010
Sunday, October 24, 2010
on building worshiping communities
We are in a conversation about worship in our Parish. We amalgamated four congregations on November 29, 2009. Part of the story is a commitment to the integrity of each congregation.
However, we have four similar services in different parts of our provincial town, with elderly and declining congregations which do not reflect our communities, and do not even serve well all the people who 'used to come.'
Part of our journeying together is a conversation around the fact that church or congregation doesn't consist of those who spend an hour together on Sunday morning. In fact, it is the small groups, the service, the working together that is the heartbeat of our life together as much as the corporate worship. Corporate worship is public, visible and important. But it is not the only way to be a congregation.
One of our churches closed a satellite church in 2008 and the members have found ways to still be church together through eating together and serving together. I think they are more a church now than perhaps they were, even though they do not worship as an independent small church family.
There are undertones of church size and church growth here. There are questions of ecclesiology. And there are questions of how we make decisions as Presbyterians. Other churches might just decide. But we talk and talk and listen and listen.
However, we have four similar services in different parts of our provincial town, with elderly and declining congregations which do not reflect our communities, and do not even serve well all the people who 'used to come.'
Part of our journeying together is a conversation around the fact that church or congregation doesn't consist of those who spend an hour together on Sunday morning. In fact, it is the small groups, the service, the working together that is the heartbeat of our life together as much as the corporate worship. Corporate worship is public, visible and important. But it is not the only way to be a congregation.
One of our churches closed a satellite church in 2008 and the members have found ways to still be church together through eating together and serving together. I think they are more a church now than perhaps they were, even though they do not worship as an independent small church family.
There are undertones of church size and church growth here. There are questions of ecclesiology. And there are questions of how we make decisions as Presbyterians. Other churches might just decide. But we talk and talk and listen and listen.
Sunday, July 11, 2010
The community of God in worship
The trouble with blogging or perhaps the discipline of blogging is that there is little opportunity to build a sense of shared community with your readers. It is the same in worship. Visitors want to be impressed immediately; rare are the folk who are willing to invest a month with you to see what's really going on.
You may think you know a service having visited once. But really, all you know are the ways that this group of people reinforce or upset your prejudices. Authentic worship emerges out of community, and one of the things about community is that you know and are known. This sense of journeying together emerges over time, most often. It is rare indeed when you walk into a place and know that you are home, even if you have never been there before.
Most of us figure out that we were home long afterwards, when we find ourselves missing a place, an event, a people. And too often we get stuck in nostalgia, even grief, instead of looking to be in community where we are.
How do I serve here?
You may think you know a service having visited once. But really, all you know are the ways that this group of people reinforce or upset your prejudices. Authentic worship emerges out of community, and one of the things about community is that you know and are known. This sense of journeying together emerges over time, most often. It is rare indeed when you walk into a place and know that you are home, even if you have never been there before.
Most of us figure out that we were home long afterwards, when we find ourselves missing a place, an event, a people. And too often we get stuck in nostalgia, even grief, instead of looking to be in community where we are.
How do I serve here?
Tuesday, July 6, 2010
The absence of God in worship
This is a much more difficult thing to write. Perhaps it is our lack of perception or even our projection that leads to the conclusion that the Spirit is not present or not able to move.
Can anything stop God doing what God wants? I think we can. I think God chooses to give us the space we ask for. Sometimes we ask for nostalgia, or style, or ideology above the living presence of God. Sometimes we simply want it our way. Sometimes our leaders are radical and provocative to get a response, not with the view to glorifying God. Sometimes we are experience junkies.
Sometimes we are simply tired, angry, afraid, too caught up with ourselves to be present. That's why at our church we start with a Psalm each morning. We use the voice of others to remind us of the reality that the world conspires to make us forget.
God is real.
God is here, now.
God will meet with us today.
Can anything stop God doing what God wants? I think we can. I think God chooses to give us the space we ask for. Sometimes we ask for nostalgia, or style, or ideology above the living presence of God. Sometimes we simply want it our way. Sometimes our leaders are radical and provocative to get a response, not with the view to glorifying God. Sometimes we are experience junkies.
Sometimes we are simply tired, angry, afraid, too caught up with ourselves to be present. That's why at our church we start with a Psalm each morning. We use the voice of others to remind us of the reality that the world conspires to make us forget.
God is real.
God is here, now.
God will meet with us today.
Sunday, May 23, 2010
The presence of God in worship
God is always present in our worship - just try and keep Him away! But often we don't perceive his presence. If worship has become routine or we are distracted by something - be it a fellow worshipper, the music, or lunch, then we can miss what God is doing. God moves powerfully and visibly when His people are expectant and patient.
It's not about the style of the service or even the quality. God doesn't move because we somehow get it right or make the grade. Theology 101 tells us that we can't ever do that.
However, we worship in faith that in Christ our worship is acceptable; and when we are hungry for the presence of God, and gather with the intention of having inspiring worship, when we expect the Holy Spirit to be active, when we recognise that we encounter God in worship, then we will be changed.
It's not about the style of the service or even the quality. God doesn't move because we somehow get it right or make the grade. Theology 101 tells us that we can't ever do that.
However, we worship in faith that in Christ our worship is acceptable; and when we are hungry for the presence of God, and gather with the intention of having inspiring worship, when we expect the Holy Spirit to be active, when we recognise that we encounter God in worship, then we will be changed.
Wednesday, May 12, 2010
What to do?
Chris is studying a post grad paper on church and change, and the last essay questions asks what to do in a congregation that is mostly over 50, but says that they want to change?
Across the whole parish, this is the youngest age profile, but there are still significant numbers of faithful older members, who like hymns and straightforward teaching.
There is more to contemporary worship than singing.
We had a couple who worship at another church over for lunch, and they admitted they quite like the way we packed 4 songs, a prayer of confession, prayers for others, prayer of adoration and a 20 minute sermon into an hour, compared with their regular diet which took longer and had less.
We are also experimenting with different ways of reflecting after the sermon, sometimes in silence, sometimes with a CD and powerpoint.
The changes we make are incremental ones, rather than large dramatic ones,but the challenge of leading worship for a congregation who need to change but don't want to is an ongoing tension.
Across the whole parish, this is the youngest age profile, but there are still significant numbers of faithful older members, who like hymns and straightforward teaching.
There is more to contemporary worship than singing.
We had a couple who worship at another church over for lunch, and they admitted they quite like the way we packed 4 songs, a prayer of confession, prayers for others, prayer of adoration and a 20 minute sermon into an hour, compared with their regular diet which took longer and had less.
We are also experimenting with different ways of reflecting after the sermon, sometimes in silence, sometimes with a CD and powerpoint.
The changes we make are incremental ones, rather than large dramatic ones,but the challenge of leading worship for a congregation who need to change but don't want to is an ongoing tension.
Monday, April 12, 2010
July 4
July 4
Leader: Come and worship, people of God.
Children: It’s time to remember.
God has done heaps for us.
We should say thank you!
All: Our hearts will sing and not be silent,
We will give thanks and praise to the Lord our God.
(from Ps 30).
Leader: Come and worship, people of God.
Children: It’s time to remember.
God has done heaps for us.
We should say thank you!
All: Our hearts will sing and not be silent,
We will give thanks and praise to the Lord our God.
(from Ps 30).
June 27
June 27
Leader Your ways, O God, are holy. What god is so great as our God?
Children: You’re the god that makes things happen.
All: With your mighty arm, you have redeemed us.
Leader: Keep telling the stories of God in action.
Children: Even the mighty sea ran away from you
All: Your ways are holy, and you have redeemed us.
You care for us like a shepherd.
Leader Your ways, O God, are holy. What god is so great as our God?
Children: You’re the god that makes things happen.
All: With your mighty arm, you have redeemed us.
Leader: Keep telling the stories of God in action.
Children: Even the mighty sea ran away from you
All: Your ways are holy, and you have redeemed us.
You care for us like a shepherd.
June 20
June 20
Leader: Come, let us worship God who is our very life.
Children: But sometimes, we’re drowning.
All: Chaos calls to chaos,
to the tune of whitewater rapids.
Your breaking surf, your thundering breakers
crash and crush us.
Leader: Put your hope in God, our Rock.
Children: He is our life preserver
All: We trust in the promises of God,
For His love endures forever.
(from Ps 42)
Leader: Come, let us worship God who is our very life.
Children: But sometimes, we’re drowning.
All: Chaos calls to chaos,
to the tune of whitewater rapids.
Your breaking surf, your thundering breakers
crash and crush us.
Leader: Put your hope in God, our Rock.
Children: He is our life preserver
All: We trust in the promises of God,
For His love endures forever.
(from Ps 42)
June 13
June 13
Leader: The Lord is our King and our God.
All: Early in the morning, we call upon your name.
Children: You always listen when we talk to you.
Leader: The Lord will not tolerate boasting, or lying or wickedness,
Children: You are not pleased with evil.
All: Yet we come because of your great love for us,
You are our King and our God.
(from Ps 5)
Leader: The Lord is our King and our God.
All: Early in the morning, we call upon your name.
Children: You always listen when we talk to you.
Leader: The Lord will not tolerate boasting, or lying or wickedness,
Children: You are not pleased with evil.
All: Yet we come because of your great love for us,
You are our King and our God.
(from Ps 5)
June 6
June 6
Leader: Do not be afraid. Do not worry.
Children: Even when things turn to custard,
All: The Lord Almighty is with us.
Leader: Come into the presence of God and be still.
Children: Shush! Shush! Shush!
All: The Lord Almighty is with us!
(from Ps 46)
Leader: Do not be afraid. Do not worry.
Children: Even when things turn to custard,
All: The Lord Almighty is with us.
Leader: Come into the presence of God and be still.
Children: Shush! Shush! Shush!
All: The Lord Almighty is with us!
(from Ps 46)
Sunday, February 21, 2010
Nostalgia
A friend was relating how comforting it was to sing hymns that she knew so well she didn't need printed words. As she sang, she was also conscious of the other occasions when she had sung that song.
There is nothing new in this. Singing something you know well is a very human act of community and continuity.
But is it worship?
It can be. But we also need to remember there was a time when we didn't know this song, we had to learn it. "Sing to the Lord a new song" helps us to remain open to what the Spirit is saying.
I think we also need to remember that if we only sing the old songs, we isolate ourselves from our context which is constantly changing.
Also, often we don't give ourselves a chance to learn the new songs well enough to know them by heart. New songs need to be introduced well, repeated for probably a month and then used often after that.
Finally, we need to be careful that we don't fall into the trap of worshipping nostalgia, of becoming so attached to the comfortable feeling of familiarity that we become confused about where God is in that feeling.
There is nothing new in this. Singing something you know well is a very human act of community and continuity.
But is it worship?
It can be. But we also need to remember there was a time when we didn't know this song, we had to learn it. "Sing to the Lord a new song" helps us to remain open to what the Spirit is saying.
I think we also need to remember that if we only sing the old songs, we isolate ourselves from our context which is constantly changing.
Also, often we don't give ourselves a chance to learn the new songs well enough to know them by heart. New songs need to be introduced well, repeated for probably a month and then used often after that.
Finally, we need to be careful that we don't fall into the trap of worshipping nostalgia, of becoming so attached to the comfortable feeling of familiarity that we become confused about where God is in that feeling.
Sunday, February 7, 2010
One year on
We've been here a year, and worship on Sunday actually went well! I was worried as our main musician has decided to shift churches and is off to play the organ at St Paul's. The guitarist came to practice and then remembered a prior engagement a day later.
I like a team. It's hard to lead and play at the same time, let alone carrying the whole thing.
But we managed, and the feedback after the service was positive. We used the songs we've been singing over the last year, and I guess they've finally 'taken', there was one of those funny lifts in volume and enthusiasm as we started 'Light of the World', which is new to St Stephens, which surprised me. Cool though.
I like a team. It's hard to lead and play at the same time, let alone carrying the whole thing.
But we managed, and the feedback after the service was positive. We used the songs we've been singing over the last year, and I guess they've finally 'taken', there was one of those funny lifts in volume and enthusiasm as we started 'Light of the World', which is new to St Stephens, which surprised me. Cool though.
Friday, January 22, 2010
Worship styles...
What makes worship worship? How do you know when worship has worked? Is there an ideal worship somewhere to which we all aspire?
Or is worship essentially a relationship, a relationship where somehow God connects with us in large ways and in small, in profound, life changing transformation, and in small, practical, pragmatic ways.
We watched "Up" last night. One of the layers was the nature of relationship, as an old man came to terms with the loss of his wife. Part of his grief was around the fact they never went on the Big Adventure they had planned as a young courting couple.
As it turned out, it was the small shared moments when nothing much happened that turned out to be the great big adventure, a lifetime of memories that his wife captured in photo's and put in an album for him that he discovered much later. In other words, she felt their life together was the Big Adventure, and this released him to go on to the next stage of life, and enabled him to form new relationships.
So, what does that mean for our questions about worship?
I am hearing a wide spread dissatisfaction with worship from all sorts of people. Part of that dissatisfaction is like when my blood sugar is so low I can't make good decisions. My kids do this too - they are so hungry they don't know what they want and everything you suggest doesn't suit. We've discovered that you just have to Eat Something! Is it the same with worship? When your soul is starving, you just have to do something that connects you with God.
Does our worship connect people with God or does it get in the way?
Can we help people to craft a lifetime of small moments with God, help them to name them as God moments, like taking photos and posting them in an album. Is that what liturgy is? Taking a photo of a God moment? As long as we see it as a snap shot, not a cage...
The trouble is, much of our Christian literature is about Big Adventures with God, sweep you off your feet stuff that is part and parcel of the Christian life, but not the whole story by any means. Is it liberating to think about finding ways to help people recognise and name God moments, rather than asking them to see church corporate worship as the start and finish of worship.
I don't mean to suggest that all of life is worship. Baptising all human activity as worship is neither helpful or truthful. But I am suggesting that God moments are more common than we might dare to imagine. Maybe this one is for you?
Or is worship essentially a relationship, a relationship where somehow God connects with us in large ways and in small, in profound, life changing transformation, and in small, practical, pragmatic ways.
We watched "Up" last night. One of the layers was the nature of relationship, as an old man came to terms with the loss of his wife. Part of his grief was around the fact they never went on the Big Adventure they had planned as a young courting couple.
As it turned out, it was the small shared moments when nothing much happened that turned out to be the great big adventure, a lifetime of memories that his wife captured in photo's and put in an album for him that he discovered much later. In other words, she felt their life together was the Big Adventure, and this released him to go on to the next stage of life, and enabled him to form new relationships.
So, what does that mean for our questions about worship?
I am hearing a wide spread dissatisfaction with worship from all sorts of people. Part of that dissatisfaction is like when my blood sugar is so low I can't make good decisions. My kids do this too - they are so hungry they don't know what they want and everything you suggest doesn't suit. We've discovered that you just have to Eat Something! Is it the same with worship? When your soul is starving, you just have to do something that connects you with God.
Does our worship connect people with God or does it get in the way?
Can we help people to craft a lifetime of small moments with God, help them to name them as God moments, like taking photos and posting them in an album. Is that what liturgy is? Taking a photo of a God moment? As long as we see it as a snap shot, not a cage...
The trouble is, much of our Christian literature is about Big Adventures with God, sweep you off your feet stuff that is part and parcel of the Christian life, but not the whole story by any means. Is it liberating to think about finding ways to help people recognise and name God moments, rather than asking them to see church corporate worship as the start and finish of worship.
I don't mean to suggest that all of life is worship. Baptising all human activity as worship is neither helpful or truthful. But I am suggesting that God moments are more common than we might dare to imagine. Maybe this one is for you?
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