Last year for the first time, the Thursday worship service became the home of SFTS very own praise band and we began hearing the familiar strains of what popular usage has called "contemporary music" even though that is something of a misnomer. For many people it was exactly what worship at SFTS had been missing. To others it was an unwanted intrusion into our comfortable routine. As is often the case in churches contemporary music, or praise music as some call it, became a divisive debate in this community about what worship should be like.
This year we are introducing another element often seen in churches that call their worship "contemporary" - the overhead projector screen. From now on, Thursdays will be bulletin -free. We will all be getting used to looking up at the screen for the prompts and the lyrics to the next portion of worship. For some this will be a long overdue addition to our worship program. For others this will be an uncomfortable change. Like the music it has the potential to generate controversy.
As a Chaplain's Assistant, I would like to take this opportunity to remind everyone of one very fundamental fact about worship - it's not about us. It's not about our preferences. It's not about our comfort. It's about God. It would be impossible for any worship team to design a worship program that exactly met everyone's needs and desires in every single worship gathering. Instead, we have a diversity of worshipping styles here at SFTS so that hopefully you will find times in chapel when the liturgy and form of worship speaks to you. But should you find yourself in a worship gathering of a style that is uncomfortable for you we encourage you to set aside your expectations of what worship means and be there for God.
The use of Power Point and Overhead Projection in churches is gaining in popularity because many people find it a meaningful way of expressing their worship. It has the advantage of encouraging us to look up from our laps and unite our voices and thoughts on the front of the sanctuary where the Cross is present.
I look forward, this year, to worshipping with you all - because no matter how the style of our worship may change, the object remains constant.
Aric Clark
Thursday, August 31, 2006
Power Point & Projection
Labels: worship
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
2 Comments:
Here, I agree with you 100%, Aric! And let me add this. I grew up in charismatic pentecostal church, since then the majority of the churches I have gone to have been "contemporary" in nature. Coming here was the first experience of what would be considered "traditional" worship that I had and it was jarring for me. I have grown to appreciate our worship here 1) because it is about God, 2) because I see how it moves others and 3) because I have found ways to make it meaningful for me as well. I would strongly encourage folks to find ways to make the styles of worship that are unfamiliar and/or uncomfortable to them be meaningful for them in their experience of Christ.
My general comment about SFTS chapel is that I am surprised at how few risks are taken, in general. That is, almost none.
I understand that out in the ministry field we'll not be able to enact vast changes, but I'm surprised that, in our contrived circumstance, in a comparatively safe place, we have worship that is often identical to what you'd find in 99% of mainline churches.
It's honestly really disappointing. I still usually get something out of worship when I go - I get something out of it outside of SFTS too, or else I wouldn't be here. I just see it as a superb opportunity that is almost entirely wasted.
I'm not saying that it shouldn't ever be familliar, but to *always* be familliar? We'll probably never have the chance to take risks in a supportive environment again.
I can't think of how to better say what I want to say.
Post a Comment