Dan Kimball is a pastor out (here) in California. He has written a book called Emerging Worship – Creating Worship Gatherings for New Generations. (Just so we're clear: "emerging/emergent" is not just a church or cultural fad, but an actual event that is happening now. There is a generation that is 'emerging', just as there have been generations that have 'emerged'. I hope that's something we all are able to understand and agree on.) In one of the chapters he identifies ten common values of these gatherings and the process of their planning, from genesis to execution. Check these out. They are in bold, with my synopses of his elaborations of each. I like them, even though many are things whose implementation would meet some criticism and outright resistance (probably even from me!).
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Common Values in Emerging Worship Gatherings
Dan Kimball, Emerging Worship – Creating Worship Gatherings for New Generations
1. Moves away from spectator type of gathering. Avoidance of “show” (“Broadway play” analogy).
2. Organic design to worship gathering. Avoidance of linear experience (e.g., five songs-sermon-closing song-benediction). Participatory, above all.
3. A sacred space is created for the worship gathering. Visual aesthetic important to emerging generations. Icons (crosses, etc.), symbols, artwork (as both worship expression and visual space-transformer) included in décor. Scripture visually prominent. Room arrangement. Placement of worship band, speaker/preacher, worship leaders, etc., not elevated, front, and center.
4. Multi-sensory approach to worship planning. More than just listening and singing. Leading is done in a communal manner (more than just one or two people – no “stars”). Eclectic styles of music, reflective of the community. Global influence. Artistic expressions, by both artists and congregation. Sermons are more the telling of a story than transferring of biblical information; move away from ‘lecture’ format.
5. Freedom of movement in worship. Movement to prayer/communion stations. Interaction with each other.
6. Different focal point. Avoidance of “stage” design, for worship leaders and preacher. Experiment with room set-up. Minimizing of leader(s)/people dichotomy.
7. Revival of liturgy, ancient disciplines, Christian calendar, Jewish roots. Embracing of ancient forms of worship, not just post-Reformation. Interest in hymn-singing. Acknowledgement of Christianity as ancient religion, not just a few centuries (or decades) old.
8. Emphasis on prayer. Opportunity to quiet the heart and listen to God.
9. Communion a core part of worship. Not 'occasionally', but each week.
10. Jesus the centerpiece of worship. Focus on following Jesus and Kingdom living.
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4 comments:
Hey, I really like those points, and I'm glad to see evidence of them in much of the worship we do at the CHBC. Keep it up, and thanks for sharing!
HicksCo
When I first read your post, Nat, it called to mind this:
"Hasten then to be a sharer in the Holy Spirit. He is present when he is called upon; nor could he be called upon, if he were not present. When, on being called upon, he comes, it is with the abundance of the blessings of God. He is the flowing of the river which gives joy to God's city."
From The Divine Office vol III
I agree with Walker, that there is movement towards some of these items, and we have talked about alot of them. I am also aware how stuck we are with the strong dilineation between the worship leader(s)/preacher and remaining congregation. What do you do when you have a big elevated stage with all the lights focussed on the center? Renovate?
Thought provoking.
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