Massive Hybrid Gone Beserk

[worshiptrench]

Okay I had dream this morning in the twilight sleep stage (and I am not MLK mind you, and am quite reformed so take it for what it is).

The service was in an ancient cathedral type church but had media screens and killer PA on a strangely shaped half-modern half-ancient stage and the room wasn't so wet reverb wise that modern couldn't be done. The service opened with a string quartet playing Bach and rolled into a Bach Chorale done perfectly by a traditional choir which flowed right into a massively rocked out delirious song. There were liturgies and deep symbolism and an seamless ebb and flow between ancient and modern (NOT the typical blended feel...each was much more distinct). The preacher wore a liturgical robe and preached from the lectionary....Then I woke up thinking, that would so be my church. Weird.

On my Sunday's off from NW, I go to an extremely high church service. Why? so i don't get caught in the performance trap of "oh we could try that" or "wow, why did they do that?" I go get lost in God through the liturgy. Tis a beautiful thing.

[twc_admin]

ya know, I enjoy getting into a liturgical environment as well. I used to lead the 9:00 Contemporary Service over at Wesley UMC, and while I was waiting for everyone to arrive, I'd often sneak over and catch part of the 8:30 traditional service ... it was quite refreshing.

I've also thoroughly enjoyed some Episcopal services, especially some of those who are more in the "charismatic" type of flow (and yes, there are LOTS of those out there who have embraced a more "charistmatic" viewpoint of the Holy Spirit).

At an annual prayer/fasting retreat I've attended for more than a dozen years, one of the people who attend is an Episcopal priest, and he serves us Communion (The Eucharist) with the full liturgy, responsive readings, etc. It's incredibly powerful!

[Stevie Nature]

I don't know about you guys, but I'm only 26 and I believe that this is one of the reasons I'm so enamored with the more traditional/liturgical. It's interesting. I can see a shift amongst people my age to go back to older hymns. I think that for so long people were so busy fighting the "worship wars", that those who were pushing for contemporary forgot what they were losing, and now their children are reclaiming it. As I go through old hymn books, research litergies, and the like, I feel like I'm "rediscovering" something very valuable that's been lost by the church...at least my church. I think it's very important for Christians to connect with those who've come before us. "Faith of Our Fathers" speaks powerfully of this. I'm slowly incorporating responsive reading, scripted prayers, and such. Do you guys have any good resources you'd recommend?

[MarkSooy]

I'm slowly incorporating responsive reading, scripted prayers, and such. Do you guys have any good resources you'd recommend?

Check out Robert Webber's work on this very subject. I think one of his later endeavors was Ancient-future Worship which speaks exactly to what you are asking about.

Also, If you ever have opportunity to attend the Symposium of Worship and the Arts sponsored by the Calvin Institute of Christian Worship, it would be very worthwhile. It's held every January at Calvin College in Grand Rapids, MI.

MOre info: http://www.calvin.edu/worship/