Friday, April 3, 2009

Contextualizing Worship

"We have found that the goal shouldn't be to maintain the past or to always be on the cutting edge. Our goal is to worship in a way that represents our community to God and God to our community. That means contextualizing worship for today, but not forgettting the family of God throughout history to which we belong."

Dan Kimball
Out of UR
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Reflection:

For those of you who lead in a more traditional setting: Do you find your worship connecting across generations? What works? Where are you struggling?

For those in a more contemporary setting: As you look at your demographics, are you connecting with people across the demographic spectrum? What age group is predominate? Who is missing and why?

1 comment:

  1. Paul, you know in brief conversations I have had with you that I am struggling with this whole idea of more liturgy in worship. I never thought I would ever say that word in regards to worship - Liturgy!! But we have both a blended service and a contemporary service. The blended service does reach a predominately older crowd, but I am surprised at times how many younger people are there as well. When I mean younger, I am talking about people in the late 30's and 40's.

    Our contemporary service reaches a diverse crowd as well, but predominately younger - I don't know what our mean age would be - probably 40-45. Our crowd does seem to be getting younger, young marrieds with kids. But we are losing the college age kids - they are either disappearing or attending other churches. Not really sure what their need or desires are. Would love to hear insight.

    I want to hear more and actually see examples of what liturgy to the new generation looks like. I have seen some modern liturgy, but it just looks like the old stuff with newer wrapping paper on it. Pretty dry stuff, lacking meaning.

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