Struggling With Worship

Ok, it's confession time: I've been struggling with worship services. Maybe that sounds weird coming from a pastor. Maybe its even bad coming from a pastor. But, its true. Let me explain.

First, traditional worship. While this might surprise some, I do find value and meaning in a traditional worship setting... sometimes. I really like the hymns (when they don't drag too much) and I love a choir. That's the good news. However, there are things that just don't work for me. For one, there is a formality often to traditional worship that creates a rigidness. Whether it is the robes or the suits, it often feels like the formalities become more important than the worship. Further, I've never been a big fan of pre-printed prayers and calls to worship. While the communal aspect of our worship is important, it has always felt forced, those weren't "my" words of worship.

Now to contemporary. I have been a big proponent of contemporary worship. I helped start a contemporary service at my home church. My primary role at my last appointment was leading the contemporary service. I have loved the energy and music. I have loved the informality of it, where no one looks down on you if you are wearing jeans. I have loved  more creative elements, like dance, drama, and videos that have fit better and been better accepted in contemporary settings. Still, something is missing. It has begun to seem more and more that contemporary is becoming as routine and predictable as, dare I say it, traditional. Where traditional can become more focused on the formality, contemporary often is more about the entertainment. There is a richness, a deep authenticity that seems to be missing.

I wish I had the answer, but if I did, this wouldn't be titled "struggling" with worship. I am drawn to something ancient, yet modern. But what does that look like. I have a few things I am going to try in the services I lead. I am contemplating using an affirmation of faith in all services. While not big on the pre-printed stuff, these are statements of what we believe. We are lacking in that. I have encouraged my praise band to work up more contemporarized versions of hymns. Perhaps we will bring in some more of the contemporary elements into the traditional setting.

I will say, that unlike many, I have enjoyed blended services. But those tend to upset the traditional and contemporary alike.

I'm still reflecting and searching. Oh, and definitely praying. For now, I simply quote those great theologians known as U2: "I still haven't found what I'm looking for."

Chris

Dis-Connected Church

I write this as I sit in one of the business sessions of the MO Annual Conference. Not that I am bored (clears throat), but rather I just feel compelled by recent events. The focus of this conference has been (long overdue) on youth and young adults. We have had some great messages and workshops that lead us, as the bishop says, to "remember the future." better late than never that we get serious about this. However, there is one thing painfully clear: there is a disconnect between the message of our leaders, our intentions, and what is actually being loved out. Big surprise, I know. A couple of examples.

This morning began with a learning time with Bishop Schnase. He spoke on the challenges of reaching new generations. In his talk, he shared a story of encountering a young lady outside of a mall. This young lady had some serious ink (tattoos for the uninformed), along with a number of piercings. His point was 1) there was nothing wrong with her appearance, but 2) that how her appearance was in part an effort to "belong" to a group, something more. During this time, a young lady was in the crowd, a young lady with some serious ink of her own. She was connecting to the Bishop's message and perhaps feeling like she belonged here. But, and isn't there always a but, her welcome feeling was short lived. Sitting next to her was an older, long time United Methodist. This person was audibly disagreeing with the bishop and being very judgmental. Talk about a disconnect. The young lady became so upset that she left in the middle of the talk crying. My wife encountered her in the bathroom trying to pull herself together.

Later, In our worship service, we continued to lift up ur youth and young adults. One youth had his iPad open during the service. Was he taking notes? Perhaps researching a topic; who knows. I mean, I'm writing this blog on my iPad. It's part of our culture. However, an older, long time United Methodist sitting behind the youth leaned forward and, wait for it, told him to put it away. Yep, pretty bold.

I wish these were isolated incidents, but they are not. These kind of experiences and far worse ones happen regularly. On the one hand, our leaders tell us to " remember the future." We applaud and say "amen" and even let our youth and young adults have some token leadership in our conference and churches. But, on the other hand, there is a generational struggle ongoing.

Everyone is losing. I repeat, WE ARE ALL LOSING!

We United Methodists pride ourselves on being a connectional church. But a dis-connect clearly remains.

Chris

Mission Statement

For those of you that have read my posts lately, you know that I recently wrote about "the main thing" that we should be focused on in our churches. I many ways, this builds upon that. This is actually something I've thought about before, but it came up again yesterday after listening to another conversation and perspective on the now infamous General Conference 2012.

If you know me then you you know how much I push simple. I believe we make things in life, and especially church, way too complicated. And maybe, maybe I'm being too simplistic here. Stay with me.

As a denomination, our mission statement is "To make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world." Pretty straight forward. That would be the "main thing" as found in the great commission. So I ask the question: why do all of our churches spend hours and debates to come up with their own mission statement, and often bad ones at that. Shouldn't this be the mission statement for all of our churches; for The Church?

Here are 2 definitions of a mission statement: 1) A summary of the aims and values of a company, organization, or individual. 2) a statement of the purpose of a company or organization. Hmmm, shouldn't the purpose of every church be to make disciples?

Maybe I am being to simplistic here. I understand context varies greatly. Maybe you might include your community in the statement. For example at my church: "As a United Methodist Church in eastern Independence, the mission of Christ UMC is to make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world." I'm not sure that location is important. It might be a detriment. But you get my point.

How do we live that message out? Well, I often say that Jesus gave us His mission statement in Luke 4:18-19 "The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to bring good news to the poor. he sent me to proclaim release to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to let the oppressed go free, to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor." If it was good for Jesus...

I hear again and again about the importance of alignment. I happen to agree with this. Is a common mission statement that bad of an idea? Or does it refocus us on the main thing?

What do you think?

Chris