Growing up in my church I felt this pulling, this tug, especially when I was in the youth group towards a newer, more contemporary style of worship. In truth, it spoke to me very well. At times it played my emotions. As I grew older I began to see the value in the old style of worship, the more traditional style that has been passed down through generations unchanged. Here I will look at both of these and then look at the question of the war between the two.
New
The New style of worship, in this time, is known as contemporary, maybe modern, post-modern, or even an emerging style of worship. It is known for its use of a band, usually akin to a rock band in the choosing of its members, but may be slightly different if it is a niche church. This style of worship has low lights, if any, during the worship time. The only lights are on stage, and while some try hard to guard against it, there are times this style of worship seems more like a concert than a worship service. These services try to include many more forms of worship, inviting guest speakers, a variety of ways to have communion, baptism, prayer, and also might not have a formal time to give ones tithe. There is likely a high use of technology and an underlining belief that it is the churches responsibility to constantly update this technology to reach the people in the community, which can add to costs.
Old
The older, more traditional style of worship is what has been around since your grandma and her grandma and so forth. Traditional is what becomes comfortable for most people, in the same way that newer worship brings about emotions for the younger, so this brings up memories. Traditional worship is usually made up of hymns and sometimes includes praise choruses. There is normally a particular way each service is done and this way does not deviate except in the case of special holidays. Some older worship is liturgical, while others prefer the term traditional, so not to sound too much like other denominations. Hymns bring about memories of old times with friends, of Sunday school, Vacation Bible School, and the importance of doctrinal truths.
War
As I said previously, from the time I was young, to now, this issue of old vs. new comes up again and again. Like the color of the carpet in the church, decisions must be made and members (or elders) take their opposing sides. Each gets ready to state why their own side is the true and best way to worship. Contemporary is best because it brings up feelings. Traditional is best because it brings up memories. Change is good. No change is good. I want to feel. I want to remember. And inevitably, if your church is large enough, the split into two separate services will follow. But, is this the best choice?
Community
The problem with splitting the church into two services in general can be a bad idea. Why? Because church is about the community of God, in Christ Jesus, coming to gather together. When that gathering is separated the church literally becomes divided. True, there are times when the church is growing so large is MUST have two services, but much experience has shown me that at least one service is little attended, and little-needed. So, what is the answer: Blended
Blended
This is the kind of worship service that is hard. This is the kind of service you most constantly work on, asking what are the things we should value and keep and what are the things we should do away with? What are the feelings and memories we want to bring to the surface during this worship time? How can be speak to ones past and to ones future, helping them along in their journey of discipleship, teaching them how to both value traditions but also value change? Above all, this style no longer lets people take sides, but asks if they want to be apart of community, part of a spiritual compromise, to gather as one, despite differences, and worship God together. Above all, it tells the congregation that worship is not a ME TIME, it is Community and God time. We shed our individual needs and take on the needs of the community, and in doing so, realize we can worship God in many settings, for what matters most is the presence of ones heart being open to God, being available to be molded and changed into the image of Christ. Church is a time for community, not ME TIME, that is what personal quiet times of study and prayer are for in the Kingdom of God.
“Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?” Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.” - Matthew 22:36-40
~ Daniel
Pic:
http://www.leslie2k.com/images/Worship%20God.jpg
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