the final post on "false dangers" - from The Dangerous Act of Worship, by mark labberton
6) worship that's unfamiliar
The unfamiliar spells danger. It might mean reexamining our faith. It might takes us into areas of feeling that can be awkward, or it might disrupt the statis of our community. The unfamiliar might mean having to cope with a more complex reality than we really want. It might cause us to be critical of where we have been and what we have believed or experienced. It is a danger, because it can be alluring, yet it can realign things in ways that that may be painful or disorienting."
"...we often leave our services with what we came for, which sadly and ironically means we have little more than when we arrived."
"...worshiper mostly already know what they want to know - they just want to hear it again. Many don't venture into unexplored or untested territory.
what would be considered "unfamiliar" in our context?
i think we might all agree that our services our pretty familiar. what "unfamiliar" revelations should we be giving consideration?
i'd be interested in hearing about any experience you've had when some "unfamiliar" revelation or event has enabled a unique worship experience...
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4 comments:
well, last year trish had to go to two different worship services for a class she was taking at taylor u. we first when to a catholic mass. i was amazed in many ways. it is awesome to go into a beautiful cathedral that is mammoth and full of the reverence of God with stained glass, and exquisite wood work. you think that "of course God lives here." i think He is and is crying out at the top of His lungs filling the sanctuary with His plea to be a part of the lives of those who enter through the towering doors. all of which seems to fall on a "sleeping" congregation. as trish and i entered, worshiped, and left we saw hundreds of people staring at the floor avoiding any eye contact what so ever, standing, kneeling, standing, kneeling, regurgitating responses with out thought and then high tailing it out of God's house. it was heart breaking.
the next was a non-denominational church which teaches the free use of tongues and dancing and very emotional. all of which is wonderful if properly executed as scripture says. for me i don't really get into dancing and i don't have the gift of tongues and i'm not much of a hand raiser. there's nothing wrong or unbiblical about it. i just can't focus on praising God when my body is doing "active movements", my mind doesn't follow. because of lack of body expressions, there were eyes of what felt like judgment on me. that if i wasn't worshiping like them, i was doing something wrong.
i'm not trying to be critical. please understand my heart. i just think a lot of "churches" have their way of "experiencing" God and if the "program" changes at all, they won't get to experience God moving or for some they just want to punch the church time card and get the heck out of there. it's sad that people think that they need to go to a church service to experience God or have a mountain top moment.
i don't mean to sound negative. i think both ways of worship (with the right heart) can and is wonderful. it's just shocking to see how much of the church is really in a coma.
i think we should have a "normal grace gathering service" in a cathedral. i just think it would be awesome. hey craig, you think some catholics would rent out their church to us:)
When I look in the Psalms & seen a life (David) that took on many unfamiliar postures for worship.
The saying "Familiarity Builds Contempt" may really apply here.
Everyday we need to worship our
Heavenly Father in a FRESH & NEW
WAY!!!
This approach comes from a heart
that wants to truly reflect God's
Love for us to a hurting world around us!!!!!
short but sweet comment my observation of sunday was incredible i feal blessed to know that people where truly worshiping God on sunday when we did came to my rescue in spanish people where still one on one with God idunno it was just truly amazing and dangerous and even tho it was out of the comfort people look beond the words
I definitely think we should do more Spanish...haha.
I think just changin things every once in awhile, whether subtle or not so would be neat. One service we need to just set up in that side room and play from where no one can see us. Or play and sing with our backs to the people to show that we are not there to entertain but to worship. Or have a time of silence in order to reflect on the week and basque in God's presence. I know we've all talked about the different ways to worship. Now we need to start implementing them in the services.
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