I have been reading Todd Hunter's new book The Accidental Anglican (Baker) where above other valuable insights he speaks about his transition from Vineyard USA National Director to Episcopal bishop. There is a lot to take away from here for sure.
Todd makes a point quite early on about the danger of a spirituality that is performance-led, something that does not require participation from the congregation beyond turning up. Todd argues that there is a powerful case for a rediscovery of liturgical worship in the contemporary evangelical tradition to enrich the good among us that the Spirit brings. He comments:
"Liturgical seekers cherish the confidence that comes from historical connectedness, from theology that is not tied to the whims of contemporary culture, but to apostolic-era understandings of Christian faith and practice.
"Our frantic lives make us yearn for rhythms and routines that build the spiritual health we seek. For many of us the architecture, theatre seating and structure of our former churches said to us: 'Sit back, relax and receive what comes to you from the stage.' While having no need to criticise that, there is a hunger in many churchgoers today for a Sunday ethos that says, 'Sit up, be alert and participate.'"
I think it can be said that Evangelical Charismatic churches makes a fundamental mistake if they promote "freedom in the Spirit" as simply being an escape from formal liturgy. Todd says it must be possible to embrace liturgy and not be seen as religious or duty-bound.
I have recognised the need for "rhythm and rountine" in my daily devotional life, which is why I keep a simple daily office first thing in the morning to help create space to be alone with the Lord and to be disciplined in praying for others. I hasten to add this is not a fad for me, I have done it for years now, being from the Anglican tradition myself. Furthermore, I have never felt the need to renounce it, even being a Vineyard pastor!
Todd is right, Evangelicals (usually from an Anglican heritage) are ever so slowly rediscovering the richness and beauty of liturgy. Shane Clairborne and company seem to illustrate this revival with their new book Common Prayer.
I am feeling increasingly uncomfortable with "Christian celebrity". Not least because I find some aspects of it quite appealing because it offers an easy, if lazy spirituality where I can come to just take, rather than give.
For instance, I wonder how many of us scan the details of an event to see who is speaking or leading worship before we consider seriously booking? We might be sub-consciously thinking, have they got a book out? Have they got a worship album? Do I know any of their songs? Have they played on main stage at a well known summer conference? Do they go to one of the big lively churches?
Where I live in East Anglia we are unlikey to get the overseas travelling speaker with a book, DVD and promotional tour visiting. You see, we just don't have the same attraction or status as some London churches or organisations. But, you know, I am glad. I would rather church was organic and built from the bottom up with normal people. It keeps the whole thing real.
John Wimber, founder of the Vineyard and the guy who kicked-started the philosophy to a lot of today's contemporary worship, said famously that when we come to the Lord we worship to an audience of one. It is all about Jesus. It was only about Jesus. Nothing else should motivate us.
As an unabashed card-carrying Evangelical Charismatic maybe a rediscovery of a participative act of worship would protect us from the dangers of a performance-led spirituality where once in a while the congregation may get a look in. Maybe then "everybody would get to play" - beyond valuably serving in church life.
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