Liturgy for the Modern Evangelical Church?
Gentlemen:
First, please accept my apologies for being absent from the conversation for quite a long time. Summer has quite an effect of encouraging me to slack off in many ways, and blogging doesn't seem to come naturally to me in times of idleness. Business is my muse, which I utilize in genuine escapist fashion!
Secondly, I just finished reading Worship by the Book, edited by D.A. Carson with Tim Keller, Mark Ashton, & Kent Hughes contributing. Essentially the book is prefaced by a broad biblical theology of worship, and the three contributors explain in great detail how they go about applying those basic truths in the "mechanics" of building liturgies for their own congregations. I found it to be an excellent read, especially because it allows a "one-stop shop" for interacting with different traditions. This short volume contrasts the traditions of the Free Church, evangelical Anglicanism, and Reformed/Presbyterian.
My question for you fine men is this: What, if anything (we can be honest, we're among friends here), do you consider when creating a liturgy (order of worship). If you've never attempted this, then what are your thoughts on this matter? Is a liturgy still relevant today? Should we call it something else?
I'm interested in seeing varying viewpoints with respect to various theological traditions within our little group.
Soli Deo Gloria!
posted by Anonymous at 7:30 PM
8 Comments:
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(BTW, Drew, I've changed the name of my blog to "Reason for the Hope Within" so if you could update the link on the sidebar, I'd appreciate it.)
Drew,
To be honest, I'm glad that you poste on this subject. I've been thinking about liturgy here lately, at least I've been considering how I would structure a church and its worship service if given the chance (I hope that doesn't sound too self centered).
Anyway, one thing that I would want to do in a worship service is to create more of a sense of reverence and awe. Too often in my own tradition (SBC) folks roll in to church a little late and just want to jump into a good song, whether it be a hymn ("traditional style")or a praise chorus ("contemporary style"). I'm not sure exactly how I would go about changing this attitude, other than for those leading the service to attempt to convey a sense of the "weightiness" of the fact that we are gathering to worship almighty God. I do think that a more ordered and structured liturgy would aid in this...
I would also like to see incorporation of the "catholicity" of the faith into the liturgy, through the recitation of the apostles creed, more readings of scripture, etc.
One of my most memorable experiences of a worship service took place in a fairly liberal Episcopal church. The structured service, the responsive reading, the beauty of the building itself, and the large chunks of actual scripture read in the service were poignant reminders of the beauty and majesty of the God we serve, and the brotherhood that I have with the Christians throughout the centuries who have believed the essentials of the faith.
Too bad I believe in congregational polity and believers baptistm, I would have made a great high church Anglican :-)
Well, that and the whole purgatory/transubstantiation thing.
Good thoughts, Ross. Ben Hames, our Presbyterian brother down in Marietta, GA, might have some good thoughts on this. I've looked at their liturgy online and there are a few characteristics that I would definitely like to adopt, which I will allow him to speak about.
Might I also recommend that you read Dr. Tim Keller's short article entitled "Evangelistic Worship" found at http://www.redeemer2.com/resources/papers/evangelisticworship.pdf.
You guys are going to keep hearing about Keller & Redeemer Presbyterian Church quite regularly. He's like Dr. Mohler for Charlie, Dr. Little/Dr. Craig for Ross, and Joel Osteen for Michael. (Sorry Mike, couldn't resist!) By the way, who has been a major influence on your ministry/theology, Ben?
Coming from a background where a liturgy is more commonplace and widely accepted, I still struggle with the looseness and causal nature of many SBs. A worship service ought to intentional. It should move and drive toward the climax of preaching the Word. It ought to incorporate Scripture as often as possible as well as orthodox, historical Christianity (i.e. the creeds).
If I were creating my own order of worship, it might look like this:
Time of Silence and Prayer
Doxology
Hymn (Holy, Holy, Holy)
Lord's Prayer
Praise and Worship Song (In Christ Alone)
Pastoral Prayer
Offertory (Choral Music)
Hymn (A Mighty Fortress)
Responsive Reading (I would alternate NT and OT depending on the text from which I preach) or a creed
Preaching of the Word
Invitation and Song
Dismissal
BTW, thanks so much Drew. I watched Joel tonight to have that "positive feeling" about myself (I'm vomiting now). We all know that you're a big fan of Creflo Dollar. The Keller thing is a big cover-up.
Nicely done, Michael. I did read an article about Mr. Dollar being in Raleigh last Friday. Rolls Royces, Rolex watches, Alpine ski villas--they can all be yours if you just supply a little "seed money" even though I'm already filthy rich!
Drew,
Obviously, you do not have enough faith if you are not rich by now.
The YMCA is slowly sucking away all faith I once had.
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