revitalized worship

[Scott White, Pastor, FPC/Escanaba]

Friends,

I'm doing some research for a workshop at the upcoming presbytery
meeting.

When is worship "vital" for you? (When has it been.) What happens,
or happened?

Ever had the experience in worship of something "not so vital"
becoming vital again? When/what was that?

Do you have any convictions about revitalizing worship in the Reformed/
Presbyterian tradition?

Thanks for any help you can give. If it is easier to speak about this
than type it, by all means please give me a call. 906-786-2932.
Email replies will go to the whole group. Which is good (I think).
Let's get some conversation going!

Peace

Scott
Escanaba

[Mike Riggins]

Scott,

For me, vital worship means having an encounter with God in which I feel I am honestly offering myself.  It is uncommon and unpredictable, and therefore all the sweeter when it happens.  Vital worship cannot be staged or planned, it just happens.  At least, that's how it goes for me.

I have really encountered God in worship during a "communion in the round" beneath a huge tree, listening to truly gifted preachers, in singing requiems with massed choirs and This Little Light of Mine at VBS, in prayers of confession.

I think trying to make vital worship happen for our congregations is one of the hardest things God gives us as part of our callings.

More later; I need to go lead worship now!

Mike R

[Harry Begley]

Scott,
I have experienced God's loving presence in the sharing of communion at
the last presbytery meeting. Is this vital worship? I don't know but it
was a special time for me.
There have been hundreds others, something said in the sermon that I
feel God's hand on my heart, a song by the choir, an installation
service...what makes these vital?
I wish you good "hunting" with your research.
Peace,
Harry

[Mike Riggins]

Scott,

As one of your subordinate questions you asked, "What happened?", meaning, I assume, "what actually happened when you experienced vital worship?"

The surface answer seems fairly simple.  I believe the Holy Spirit penetrated the walls I build (boredom, anger, dryness, fatigue, cynicism, etc.) for a moment and I was swept up into a more--what--vital?, powerful? experiential? form of worship.

Sometimes I envy our Pentecostal brothers and sisters for their abandon in worship.  I am such a classic Presbyterian.  I am buttoned-down in worship.  Though many in our congregation wear collarless shirts, we are still somewhat starchy, if you catch my meaning.

But then I think, does "vital worship" require an ecstatic, external manifestation?  Surely Calvin would have said no, and if I had time this morning I would look up some quote from the Institutes to support my point and impress you with my erudition!  But my understanding of Calvin's personal spirituality, and dim memories of passages on the nature of God lead me to feel he had a very vital faith, while at the same time calling for order in worship.

Are you hoping that a focus on vital worship will reveal some way, some path that buttoned-down Christians can follow which fits their personal and corporate styles, yet also offers a more "known" Spirit?

mr

[Scott White]

Dear Mike

There was such food for thought in the phrase from your previous email, “honestly offering myself.” 

Here, thanks again for a reflection on order and abandon.

I would say our hope for the workshop is could we discover that our traditional orders continue to be God-breathed for today.  And yet we will want to share convictions on how these elements of order might be freshly perceived, designed, engaged, so that worship is more vital.

Anyone – when did you do that with the Spirit?  (Grace)

Thanks!!!

 

Scott