Our Future IS in Our Own Hands
Semper reformandi … sed non restitui
(Always to be reformed but not restored)
My original thesis was that Theology always has undergone change and adaption in the past and it will do so in the future. Today, it simply requires defining which direction and how it will continue to change, and thus flourish.A ‘Neo-Reformation’ Revolution entails that process start from what is common to everyone: we ALL have powerful emotional ‘experiences’. Awareness of these confirms the continuing validity of our ‘experiences’ of our Christian faith journey. Unfortunately, any good intentions will be opposed by authoritarian institutional structures imposing further regulations and financial demands. In the past, these generated a form of ‘inertial’ energy through ‘Pious Prayer and Passive Hope’! We need far more. We actively need to do practical things first to make Christianity fulfilling and intelligible to the thinking of our remaining members.
Church ‘Mission’ policy is no longer “Get people into the pews and all will be well!” THAT is a failing ‘institutional’ response to replace the already missing [referred to as “… B’s-on-S’s …”!] Somehow, the Church authorities believe that they can replace the youth’s interest in their addictive mobile phones! (Parents might suggest otherwise!) Past Church policy spectacularly failed because of three factors. Firstly, the ever-declining numbers: - ask yourself honestly Why? That factor has ensured financial predicaments. In turn, insecurity has caused both ‘flight’ from pastoral Ministry into ‘Chaplaincies’ as well as giving rise to the acute shortfall of replacement students. Together, these have induced ’infectious’ feelings of failure and despair at every level within the Churches! Belatedly, we have learned the wisdom of “… never put all your eggs into one ‘College-trained’ basket …”
Christianity’s survival has now become our personal priority (because there is no-one else.) We (ourselves) must first need to learn to adapt and change. I am taking the liberty of suggesting and illustrating what needs be done in this modern ‘Neo-Reformation’ as the first steps in a ‘Faith Rescue and Reconstruction.’
A COMMUNITY THAT MEETS TOGETHER FOR WORSHIP
Over several decades, the Church has changed from being a social hub organisation and has become a ‘Sunday-hour – only’ event. We must re-establish our acting together corporately in one or more ways in the public domain. Change is to be actively encouraged, but only after proper discussion.
Ecclesia was the fancy Greek language for ‘assembly’. We use the word ‘congregation’, which has lost sight of the COMMUNITY aspect of our Worship. Puritan influences in the 17th century created a distinct and individualistic concept of ‘personal salvation’. This concept has been our unwitting co-traveller for many years in Western Christian ‘Worship’. Today’s ideologies enhance the milieu of ‘individual rights’. Our Christian ‘Worship’ necessarily needs we restore the COMMUNITY aspect of our Worship for it is in this manner that we are strengthened in our Christian faith. Christianity is CAUGHT, not TAUGHT! If we insist upon speaking a language from another age, others will continue to not listen for they do not understand it any more.
Any Worship SERVICE should aim never to exceed 55-60 minutes. Starting on time creates the opportunity for a shared coffee afterwards. We do need to be aware of Lunch ‘time-tabling’ for our elderly members living in Care & Retirement Villages.
The biggest INNOVATION is discussing the total DYNAMICS of a Worship service from its very first principles. Abandoning the ‘Pulpit’ (or formal standing behind a lectern) is nowadays de rigour. Colleagues in Scotland independently have adapted their modes of leading ‘Worship’. Personal ‘mobility’ issues meant that I could only lead a Service if allowed to sit throughout. It was truly a discovery that this was not only acceptable but changed the whole ‘dynamic’ of services. Instead of a ‘Pronouncement’ or ‘Formal Address’, it became a ‘conversation between friends. I also ‘normalised’ everyone else remaining seated throughout and that was also appreciated!
We need to be prepared to examine and adapt our traditional RITUAL. Some is necessary, but some is questionable as to its purpose. ‘Orders of Service’ do help us keep the place. But some Rituals completely lack explanations: e.g. a candle(s) lit before each Service; standing AT the Offertory; the reading of printed Notices.
It would be better that ‘Greeting and Welcoming’ duties be divided into an entry ‘greeting,’ but more importantly that someone ‘ushers’ people into the forward seating area creating a sense of TOGETHERNESS and COMMUNITY. Worship is a corporate act requiring participation at each stage. Technically, ALL the people present are ministering to each other. [“.. where two or three are gathered together …”].
One problem facing Traditional Worship is its repetitiveness. It has resulted in PASSIVITY: ‘… come, attend, sing, sit, then go home …’! THIS may be a simplistic critique, but it is an assessment based on years of active but ineffectual ministry. Modern people are no longer totally engaged by speech, but by visual-inputs. Today’s youth are not alone in using mobile telemetry! The Church must learn HOW TO ENGAGE congregations through VISUAL stimuli! This is not a repudiation of the Gospel, but of the way in which we deliver it. Instead of the traditional 15/20-minute sermon, we should ‘explore’ topical themes together being freed from the ‘doctrinally-biased’ 3-year Lectionary cycle.
One useful method is to use what I term ‘GOBBET-IDEAS.’ with ‘Power-point’ VISUALS. This method breaks the ‘topic’ into discrete segments containing ONLY one or two simple ideas in each part. The use of Hymns between Gobbets allows movement forward to the next part of the structure intended. Thus, the GOBBET is a useful method for varying the actual ‘format’ each week: a very deliberate attempt to remove the criticisms levelled at ‘Ritualised Traditional Worship’!
REVISING OUR WORSHIP EXPERIENCE
The actual WORDS and LANGUAGE used in our worship must be chosen carefully avoiding some of the once favoured doctrinal formulations or former language usages that simply do not resonate with modern people as they previously did years ago.
References to ‘Heaven-wards’ or ‘up-there’ are meaningless unless used ‘metaphorically’ nowadays. A Benefactor/-trix, type Deity, residing somewhere above the fluffy clouds, has been displaced by Science’s Hubble telescope, NASA and quantum physics. Thus, the choice of scripture(s) used should avoid ‘talk of Heaven /Hell and the accompanying ‘moralism’ which implies some future judgement and repercussions based upon our behaviour!
Much of the Hebrew Scriptures are in fact ‘nuanced’ historical records of whatever befell the emergent peoples of Israel and Judah. I use the word ‘nuanced’ because they portray successes and disasters as purely the result of their own frequent abandonment of the moral high-ground (or Yahweh). Prophets testify to the resulting attitudes but usually only after events have moved onwards. As to the facticity of the historical details, scholars are clearly ‘back-at-the drawing-board.’ Even the creation account in Genesis is simply an early attempt at explaining human existence and evolution and can be set alongside other modern-age hypothesis about Big-Bang and any number of quantum universes. So let us now consider separately the discrete parts of our Neo-Reformed service.
THE OFFERING
Being curious, I asked myself first why -in many Presbyterian congregations - we stand up when the Offering’ is brought forward. Common opinion suggested that “… We have always done it that way! …”. I think the more likely reason was the Old Church [R.C.] stood when the Sacramental elements were ‘Offered’. More to the point, it is clearly not ‘filthy lucre’ being revered? Surely it is ‘our-selves’ and our minds and thoughts which count here, and we are ‘offering’ these by our being present together. It is my serious suggestion that this becomes the central focus which precedes any act of corporate worship together.
If there is a need to have Church Notices, let these be just before the closing Hymnody. [They will be better remembered by being so placed!] Roster information should be ‘texted/e-mailed’ to personnel before their actual ‘Duty-Sunday’.
GATHERING WORDS
Instead of the Traditional CALL to Worship, I suggest that some familiar piece from the Book of Psalms is used as the Gathering Words signalling the Worship which follows at once. Saying that does not imply that it necessarily is at the beginning or opening of the service; merely that it becomes a familiar practice following the TOPIC Introduction or some other preceding Hymn or familiar chorus choice,
Using a couple of verses only, it is possible by ‘adapting’ the words, to produce (perhaps) two shortened two-line couplets; the first spoken by a reader]; the second couplet by ALL participants.
READINGS
There are many words and sayings contained in the Bible. Many of these are the product of another age and weldbilds and, as such, bear the imprint of HOW they thought at that time. [Now referred to as the Context.] Pauline material is particularly difficult to understand (despite translations)! John’s Gospel is often obscure and lengthy and needs deep Theological ‘Contextualisation’ when used
The first three Gospels; Mark, Matthew, and Luke; have the illustrative parables which people do remember, and as such, are easier to use in any address. I think that the PARABLES were everyday examples of how people ‘got-it-all-wrong’ then, and we still do in today’s society! Time spent seeking out the Modern-Day parallels is time well rewarded with ‘topics and subject material for RELEVANT topics analyses.
To ensure the ease of understanding(s), I cite below a most useful web site whose search-engine includes the ability to review DIFFERENT BIBLE Translation versions. It also has ‘commentaries’, maps, and historical details at:https://biblehub.com/
PRAYERS
The language of Prayer(s) ought to be examined. It is one thing to praise our wonder of the nature around us and its bountiful store of food and resources. It is right to acknowledge each day and what it brings anew or fresh. That is proper praise! However, It is quite another thing to request or to expect some form of aid from a Deity who dispenses benefits and suffering, either intentionally, or randomly. We must find words that have corresponding equivalents to our current usage of: Father / Mother, God, Son of, Angels and Devil. I personally have used the terms Lord, Spirit of God, Lord Jesus, Jesus of Nazareth, Creator God and Your Spirit. By using these independently, I have avoided invoking concepts like the Trinity and all the potential arguments which stem from that doctrine. Judicious use needs be made of the use of the words Messiah [translated as Christos in Greek] because this implies a particular Jewish concept. Neither is it Jesus’ surname!
We should consider carefully the removal of what has previously been known as the “Prayer of Approach, Confession and Absolution”
For this I offer the following critique:
- We have this post-Judaism ‘Sin’ notion, (in the 16th century language of being
“… miserable sinners and offenders …!”)
(2) Does saying THAT really make it more real? It is simply a ritual.
(3) Are we saying anything that our Lord does not know already?
(4) All our regular attendees already have this personal awareness.
(5) It can be replaced by a single, all encompassing “Prayer of Thanksgiving” which always recognises the following:
Acknowledging God’s constant presence in our Worship.
Incorporating the ‘Theme’ in the opening words.
… and references to the world in which we live.
Recognising ‘Life’ has been good to us and towards us.
Incorporating our notional “Daily Bread” and well-being.
Considering how we show compassion for ‘xyz’
Recognising fully our memories of deceased loved ones.
Giving ‘Thanks’ for the teachings of Jesus of Nazareth.
And finally, a recognisable, ‘liturgical’ ending e.g.,
MAY we always present our praises to you,
Giver of all good things who works within us,
– and always through us,
by your Spirit, in the here and in the now. AMEN”
[The ABOVE EXAMPLE is merely a pattern; not an instruction!]
It helps to think of Prayer as a community process which also involves articulating some particular aspect(s) of our ethical teaching or thinking.
MUSIC AND HYMNS ARE WORD PICTURES
These have always played a useful, didactic role for either mood setting or remembered mental visuals. (The Reformers of Britain’s Parish churches white-washed over all vestiges of visual representations which had instructed the illiterate populace.)
Hymns have always been sung since antiquity as ‘Praises.’ Their words have been ‘Teachers of Theology’ for many people - writers included. It is to be noted that some Hymn words are now regarded as expressions of dubious and dated theological ideas. Many were written in the early 19th century and seem fixated on the effect of ‘Redeeming blood’. Even some so-called modern hymns express vague ideas not in accord with the directions advocated.
What may be needed here is a genuine ‘mix’ of styles, using classical, modern, and even podcasts (where these are ‘suitable’ or topical;) - to reflect the chosen topic area. Introducing variations of either known words or diverse cultural settings is unexpectedly welcomed! A most useful EMERGENCY source is Chett Valley Hymns (Anglican words + known Music) Link: https://youtu.be/MI9V8owRTA4
POWER POINT USAGE / VISUALS
These are best used visually. There is no objection to using Music’s emotional possibilities to enhance the visual experience of worship. Here there is a vital lesson. The visual illustration not only enhances interest, focus and mental engagement. They are remembered by an audience (recent Research suggests that ‘topic retention’ is 85% enhanced over the spoken word!)
ETHICAL TEACHING AND EXAMPLES
The stress is to be placed totally upon the ‘teachings’ of Jesus of Nazareth and especially on his interactional relationships between us and God but also our attitudes towards ‘others.’ PARABLE material in the first three Gospels provides examples of ethical teaching. Constant attention needs be drawn to our own attitudes towards others. Simple things like smiling and greeting each other by exercising KINDNESS and expressing GRATITUDE for their friendship.
This ought to be extended to encouraging ‘small-talk and chatter before the service begins. This would replace at a stroke, the forbidding silence which has dominated Sundays previously as some equivalence of induced Holiness. THAT is why we need ‘our neighbours’ sitting alongside us and being with one another.
Our homes are constantly ‘invaded’ by intrusive TV News commentators often regurgitating current ‘Headline-items’ from distant disasters, places, and cultures. Much of this material causes considerable angst through its ‘sensational’ or dramatic appeal, and these are therefore topics which may be directly addressed as ‘concerns’! From time to time, these opportunities are there to engage congregational minds taxing them with the question of “What are we able to do in this instance?”
‘Charitable Thinking’ addresses the need to aid those suffering and truly less fortunate than us. It follows that topics of ethical interest and involvement are suitable subjects for use in ‘intercessory’ Prayers about ‘others’. This might be thought of as ‘Corporate Kindness in Christian-action.’
CONCLUSION
I readily admit that my thoughts are the result of personal disquiet concerning the fixity of present Theology, and our inability to adapt our Worship practice to a 21st century perspective. We are not discussing Renewal: nor is it Restoration: but a Resumption of personal ‘Spirituality’ for this Age and our population.
In laying out the above suggestions, I would welcome any further improvements and comments. We are really like the first followers of Jesus who lived as a minority within a context of cultural belief diversity. We too must learn afresh to be humble and pilgrims; ready to adapt to our ‘alien’ situation, yet keeping our focus on, and continuing to witness to what is the essential elements of all religion, namely, the two commandments of Jesus of Nazareth!
C.B. Yates, BA., BD., Ph.D., S.Th..