Lama's log

This chapter deals with changing the model of worship where only those who play an instrument or preach can participate and where the talents of the rest of the gathered community are left untapped and unrepresented. This, says the authors increases the division between sacred and secular and divorces spirituality from life as it is lived.

In order to facilitate participant led worship you must operate out of groups of no more than 30 and utilise gifts of those present. It moves away from making worship something to be consumed for those outside, instead it is authentic expression of people from where they are at.

What do I think? ............ It's a tough one. I agree in principal, I think. I have never thought that you need to be 'flash' in worship for it to be effective (helpful in allowing people to meet with God). It is also good news for those who feel they struggle because they are a small gathering. This model releases them from having to have the normal Sunday worship where they have to find musicians and preachers and if they don't they somehow haven't been church. They could just spend their time 'being church' instead.

On the other hand, the church maligned in this book, the church of soft rock and easy preach, is one to which many are drawn and I believe it still has a place amongst us. It is not that this model is bad (as the authors suggest) more, I feel, that it is just one model and doesn't offer enough depth or breadth, to cater for all.

Consumerism in worship is bad, the book says. By this they mean that, to come and take from a service without any commitment or participation, teaches us passivity. It encourages us to sidestep discipleship. There is something in this but it is worth remembering that some people come to worship, so exhausted from life that what they need to do is find a place to rest and receive.

Even wiith all the questions around this though, I feel there is stuff worth pursuing. It is true of many/most churches that the communities focuss on the training and equipping of the minister to the detriment of the community. Why not pay for members to do courses, get equipment, go on retreat, do theology? If as Baptists we really are into the Priesthood of all believers then I think we could be doing it better and the emergent church may have a few pointers as to how.