Church. An interesting word, isn't it? When we hear it, many different images may come to mind. Add the word "traditional" and even more images are conjured up. To me, the word "traditional" means the church in which I was raised. That would be Baptist Temple in Uvalde, and later, University Baptist in Austin. These two churches were very different, even though both were Southern Baptist churches.
You see, I believe terms like "traditional" and "contemporary" are very personal. And often, they are attached to our likes and dislikes. Those that don't like "traditional worship" (whatever that may mean) may opt for "contemporary worship" (again, whatever that may mean) and vice versa. More and more, worship has become more of personal style. There is nothing wrong with that, but what we're doing essentially is saying God can reach us through one style of worship only.
If I stepped on toes with that last sentence, I offer no apologies. As a pastor, I've had to adjust to different worship styles (and worship traditions) in the various churches I've served. I've worshiped in everything from "high church" (what I jokingly refer to as "smells and bells") to worship with a band to everything in between. What's interesting is that even in the various types of worship, these run the gamut too. For instance, just saying "contemporary worship" really says nothing about what one can expect.
I hear people say that "I prefer contemporary," or "I prefer traditional." In the former, the music style might run anywhere from gospel (and there are a variety of strains in this broad category) to rock to hip-hop and techno. The same is true with traditional. Traditional, contemporary, and the like are just labels. They don't really mean that much. I've experienced "contemporary" worship that included everything from classical to bluegrass in the same service!
There are many styles and types of worship, and they vary as much as those designing worship differ. I enjoy contemplative worship. One form particularly I enjoy is Taize. This style of worship originated with the Taize community in France. It came about sometime after World War II. Lots of silence. Lots of prayer. Lots of scripture. But it's the music that really moves me. Repetitive choruses. Very soft. All kinds of instruments, from drums to flutes to guitars. We will do this here sometime in the future.
Worship throughout the millennia since the earliest gatherings always has been evolving. The culture and society constantly are in flux and this has huge impacts upon music and styles of worship. And, it is always adapting to the changes in the surrounding culture. Who are the primary movers in instituting change? You know the answer: It's the young. That's why I stated three weeks ago that the church as we know it will not exist in thirty years. Now here's the rub. If we're not a part of the change now, we'll have little to no say in the future.
What we do now can begin to shape the church of the future. We may not like the direction the church is going, but staying where we are is not an option. To quote Red (played by Morgan Freeman) in Shawshank Redemption, we have to "get busy living (i.e., changing), or get busy dying." It's our choice. See you on this most confusing - and unsettling - journey!
Grace and peace,
Mike
April 12, 2015