Lama's log

I am now at a stage where I long to finish this book so it is an act of will that I am going to get through the last three chapters. The reason. It is now a little repetitive and I find what I am reading the book has already said at least once before.

OK, having said that this chapter was worth a look. In a nut shell it talks of worship needing to be a place/space where all things from the world are made holy and are brought to worship as authentic gifts. Creativity and inclusivity of participation then are vital.

This is all good stuff and I enjoyed reading some of the examples of this. My wonderings though from my own context and experience are around the fact that this may just be a taste thing. Some people like a set form every week that has been done in the same format for the last 300 years, others will appreciate a more fluid approach. Is there something beyond this?

That probably comes in the word authentic. If people really give their best to God then that in itself may be transformative beyond themselves. Recently two of my closest friends have taken on duties in the Anglican and Catholic tradition respectively. From both parties there was talk of it being privilege to be doing it. There was an aspect of pride in that they had been entrusted with these roles. As a baptist it takes a while to appreciate the notion of excitement being induced at having to dress up and perform ritual. Done in the way of privilege though, there may well be something transformative about this way of worship.

Yesterday I preached in the evening service, the student minister led. He is a kind of emergent guy and the service reflected this heavily. The things I noted was

There was much more space
There was much less sung music
The notices became a point of contact with God (fairly amazing)

There was also a feeling though that this was all still new. He needed to explain things a lot so people felt comfortable. In terms of creativity in worship there also has to be a safety that people will be OK and allowed to stand at the side. I also wondered how you could express worship this way week on week without it just being a differents style rather that 'creative'. These questions aren't a result of the student minister, more from a desire that emergent church could be possibly more than a side show.