worship in a changing world source: robert webber, worship first conference [email protected]
TRANSCRIPT
Worship Changes in 20th Century
Traditional Contemporary Postmodern
1900 1960 1990
9 Traditions, 1900-1960
• Liturgical• Reformed• Anabaptist• Quaker• Restitution• Revivalism• Soul Worship• Pentecostal• Holiness
Three Characteristics of Traditional Worship
• 1. Print-oriented.
• 2. Predictable.
• 3. Isolationist.
Two Worship Renewal Movements Now Talking
Catholic Renewal – Mainline Renewal
Pentecostal 1906 Praise/Worship 1965
Charismatic 1940s
Blended 1990
Key Contemporary Flashpoints
1. Bill and Gloria Gaither, 1960s • Music revolution in U.S.
2. Jesus People (1970s) Maranatha music
3. A new move out of isolationism (today)
Shift into Postmodern Worship
• Convergence• Liturgical and
charismatic worship are moving out of isolationism and into conversation
• Catholic/Liturgical– Restore a biblical
theology and structure of worship
• Pentecostal / Liturgical / Praise– Restore the
immediacy of the Spirit in worship
From “answers” to “experience”
• People no longer come into town looking for the best preaching, but the best worship
• They don’t want “evidence that demands a verdict,” but an encounter with the living God
7 Characteristics of New Postmodern Worshipers
• Ready to commit.• Spiritual but not religious.• Nostalgic for the past.• Long for connection.• Attracted to mystery and
ambiguity.• Participatory joiners.• Audio-visual learners.
Bonhoeffer
Anti-institutional
Taize, Iona, Greek Orthodox
Chat room
Aware of complexity, seeking wisdom (not answers)
Don’t want worship done to them
Beyond talking head
Love/Hate2001 Survey of Wheaton students
• 91% negative: “entertainment worship”• Worship done “to me”
– beyond “excellence”
• Presentational• Whether traditional or contemporary
• 98% positive: “encounter with God”– Depth and substance
5 Characteristics of Postmodern Worship
• 1. Authentic
• 2. Spiritually engaging
• 3. Participatory
• 4. Visual/Oral
• 5. Contemplative
The Conflicts
1. Recently: The “Booster” vs. the “Boomer”
• Worship wars
2. Coming: the “Boomer” versus the “20-something”• Won’t be a fight, because
20s are surfers, not fighters
A theological hypothesis …
• If worship is a function of mission …
• … then the forms of worship will change as cultures change
• … even as the object of worship remains unchanging and eternal!
A question …
• How does worship in your church need to change in order to help people in your culture connect with the God of Jesus Christ?
Worship in a Changing World
Dr. John P. Chandler
The Ray and Ann Spence Network for Congrgational Leadership
www.rasnet.org
[email protected] right John P. Chandler, 2001