gentle nudge ...

 

 

It might be more effective to send participants out to work in a soup kitchen for a day or visit the sick rather than focus on the senses of self.

The church has always been a patron of the arts. Not really new. not everyone's cup of tea.

True DKS - not everyone's cup of tea - I agree, and that's rather the point I think.  Neither is traditional worship in church everyone's cup of tea - differences keep life interesting, to me at least.  And yet, IMO, traditional 'church' appears perhaps to restrict/constrict/limit its offerings of experiences in which worshippers might encounter Spirit. 

Jesus said that spiritual experience was found in serving others rather than nourishing self.

I've never been to a service quite like that one, but it sounds really neat - it's definitely something I would check out if I lived in the area. Last Fall our church had a service where everyone was invited to participate in one of four worship streams. Everyone started and ended together in the sanctuary and in between they could choose to worship by creating art, singing, doing meditation or experiencing a typical Sunday School lesson. I chose the art option, and although I am no artist, I really enjoyed the experience.

 

On the other hand, if we ourselves are starving, how much can we really offer to others?

 

Mendalla

 

 

If one is waiting to be fed, following the pursuit of self, then yes, they will have nothing to offer. But to feed someone or be fed but told to go and do likewise, that will show the way. if these flamboyant displays encourage people to take the onus off of self and put it on others then job done. However when the onus is on itself, then does it act as a Christian example of servitude?

In worship am I consumer or producer? To give worship or to receive worship? 

Who or what is being worshipped?

 

Generally I like the activities described in the Halton Press article. Very suitable for a Saturday workshop. But I need someone to help me understand them as a church gathered together in worshipping God.

 

By our humbleness (grace) and our service (love) do we find the God within.


We rise by kneeling and we gain by giving up.

I ask you, or anyone else, who is the one "experiencing" in service, and who is the self? Is this sentence a conundrum?

 

Satisfaction in serving others is a different experience than serving oneself.  Sex is a good example of the difference.

hmmm.... :)

It's not about encountering "Spirit" but encountering God, and Jesus and the Holy Spirit. As a worship planner, I find that a far more liberating form of encounter than passive art installations. For that I go to the local art gallery... but I don't know much.

I share the view that worship should not be a spectator sport, but I am not convinced that worship should be a do-it-yourself exploratory experience. I see these as three different things. All three have their place.

great questions RAN - I imagine we may all have our own thoughts & reflections on them.

 

In reply to your last points, about "church gathered together worshipping God" - I don't have the sense that these are "church services" in the traditional sense - rather, an invitation widely spread to come and experience 'fresh expressions' of worship which may lie outside the usual expectations of 'church service'.   Possibly similar effect for some participants, but invitation (to contemplation, reflection, prayer, etc.) offered in less traditional ways.

The Halton thng looked interesting, but it seems to me that the people creating the stations are the ones who are having the most intense spiritual activity.  I took a 4-session art and seasons of the Spirit course a couple of years ago, and it was awesome.  2 of my art pieces are in my office and one is on a wall at home, and I am thinking about taking it to hang in the narthex/lobby area.  The experience described by somegalfromcan sounded like a way that allows more individual choice of spiritual experience.

Traditional Christian worship just isn't popular any more. That's why some congregations try different worship styles, with varying results.

 

I think the problem is not so much with worship styles but with the public perception of what Christianity is about. In our largely secular society, Christianity is perceived as believing in and perpetuating absurdities. This perception has sunk so deeply into public consciousness that is difficult to change—even if we try.

 

 

 

 

 

carolla,

 

sounds neet :3

 

i wonder if anyone has done a service where people's brainwaves are hooked up to lights/sound generators -- i think that'd be very trippy :3  esp if the congregants get good at modifying the lights/sound :3

 

advertising: "See! the Holy Spirit made physical Be In"

Hi -Jobam -- Thank you for that vid. Very uplifting . How great the Kidds are today . Hallelujah. airclean33 

Enjoyed the video Jobam - thanks.  Do you know the context of the performance?  Just curious.   And a good question asked in song - "Can you get excited church?"

 

Hey Jim Kenney - I hope you DO take that art to the church ... for more to be inspired.  One of our local churches also did a series of workshops that sound similar to what your describe - using various arts to explore spirituality. 

HI Carolla - if you google Michael W. Smtih you will find the concert this is from. This video alone has over one million hits.....he was popular when I was young.

Lots of great praise stufff - not necessarily in line with our theology...oh, ya, we are the older church - that one that no one attends......sorry, just couldn't keep my mouth shut.

I have been a fan of Mr. Smith’s music since I was young.....most folks that wanted the contemporary music went to other denominations...I stayed.....bitter, perhaps.

I am someone who has recently discovered Michael W. Smith and I quite enjoy his music. Like Jobam said, it's not necessarily in line with United Church theology, but I find it to be quite enjoyable and engaging. "A New Hallelujah" is definitely one of my favourites by him.

Thanks Carolla for sharign this article.

 

I would have appreciated the opportunity somegal, that you had. 

 

Not all of worship or encounter God the same way....it is right and good to recognize that...

(Neo)  ------

Hmmmmmmmmmmmmm

 

Not4prophalatic?

(sorry)

Interesting thought,,,eh?

 

I found the original article quite interesting.  They get an A for effort and willingness to try something a bit different!

 

A friend attends a church that celebrates the creativity of its members.  One wall is always adorned by the work of individual artists - paintings in oils and watercolor, photographers'  images, mounted poetry, prayers written in beautiful calligraphy etc. 

The churches do not teach what Jesus taqught.

Have a look see.

 

Regards

DL

 

 

I am well aware of that as are those who study the history of the church.

 

God knew that the Gentiles would take the gospel given them and turn it into a gospel and a religion that would suit themselves.

 

God also knew with what was coming for the Jews and that this would insure the gospel of the Kingdom carried on, the time of the gentiles.

 

God also knew that the gentiles would not be able to create a religion in their own worldly image which continues until this day, unless they also included Jesus and His Gospel within their religion.

 

Once people learn to look past the religion and the traditional ways of man, they will see what Jesus taught.

 

 

 

Well, I just came home from spending an hour at the "table.d" worship installation.  It exceeded my expectations, and well worth the 40 minute drive each way.  Let me see if I can give you some sense of it. 

 

There was a large church hall, lit mainly by candles. Beautiful instrumental music was softly playing and filled the space - I asked on the way out, and it was by Margaret Rizza.  There were inviting comfy couches on which to pause.  Several slide shows were being projected, on walls, and on monitors.

 

The room was set up with about 10 distinct areas, or stations.  Each station was marked with a sign and some suggestions for the encounter.  One was free to wander and explore at whatever pace seemed right, participate, pause, read posted text, consider images, utilize all the senses to encounter the story of Holy Week.  The stations were listed as: Prayer Space; Place at the Table; Wash Basin; Art Station; The Appointed Time; Crown of Thorns; Sackcloth and Ash; Take and Eat. 

 

I left filled with a sense of great peace, guided home by the full moon in the sky.