My husband and I are, for the first time in nearly fifteen years, looking for a church home. I have told him and others that I am looking for a new worship paradigm, but, on closer reflection, what I am looking for is a very OLD paradigm—about 2000 years old.
Here it is in a nutshell:
I Corinthians 14: 29-33
What then shall we say, brothers and sisters? When you come together Each one (male or female) has a hymn, or a word of instruction, a revelation, a tongue or an interpretation. Everything must be done so that the church may be built up. If anyone (male or female) speaks in a tongue, two--or at the most three--should speak, one at a time, and someone (male or female) must interpret. If there is no interpreter, the speaker (male or female) should keep quiet in the church and speak to himself (or herself) and to God. Two or three prophets should speak (male or female) and the others should weigh carefully what is said. And if a revelation comes to someone (male or female) who is sitting down, the first speaker should stop. For you can all (male and female) prophesy in turn so that everyone (male or female) may be instructed and encouraged. The spirits of prophets (male and female) are subject to the control of prophets. For God is not a God of disorder but of peace—as in all the congregations of the Lord’s people.
What I do not want:
● The same person delivering a sermon every week.
● A sermon every week.
● Worship services and facilities that require you to look at the back of other members’ heads.
● Church projects and programs that allow you to ignore the world outside of church.
● Music and song leaders who are louder than the entire congregation.
● Only male Christians officiating at the Lord’s table, praying, reading scripture, leading singing, or serving as ministers and deacons.
● A bunch of people “speaking in tongues” without interpretation.
● A one-person-led congregation—be that person a pastor, elder, minister or priest.
I have passed these requests on to God. I hope He answers with an old paradigm.
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I would like a worship service that does not involve a parade of men making announcements, reading scripture, making "Lord's Supper comments" which follow the predictable order of announcements, two or three songs, prayer, communion, song, scripture reading, sermon, song, closing prayer. I would welcome a period of praise led by a worship leader/song leader(s). And, lots of Christian love and caring.
ReplyDeleteSteve, Very insightful of you to add the "love and caring." Sometimes I lose sight of those more important attributes looking for the perfect worship situation. It's just that my heart yearns for open-throttle worship that includes me.
DeleteWe are still searching. I thought we had found a possible answer until the pastor offered an alter call to "pray the sinner's prayer." Haven't found that in the Bible, so on the next possibility.
I've been thinking about worship style too, ever since I saw a dramatization of Jesus apostles releasing honest joy in simple praise. It was so easy to believe that this drama portrayed what really took place in the early church. Most of us present ourselves faithfully and regularly to take part in worship so structured it kills our joy, or at least binds it within. You have clarified the desires of many. Keep us posted on your search.
ReplyDeleteGinny Minninger
Chattanooga Writers Guild
Where do you worship? Why?
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