Styles of spirituality
This week at St. Christopher's Episcopal Church we will experience all three basic styles of Episcopal worship. What we usually miss is that these are not entertainment styles, but different ways to experience God.
In our jargon we call the more formal style "High Church". This frequently includes chanting, incense (smoke), lots of bells and lots of candles. The clergy vest themselves in special clothing. The physical elements are as formal as possible: silver, linen, etc. The music frequently is classical.
Our regular 5 pm service does not go very far toward the "contemporary" end of the spectrum but it clearly is a step that way. The contemporary style looks to use modern elements to touch people. The music tends to be newer. In many churches the service will look like a modern college classroom with powerpoint presentations of the music and illustrations for the sermon. Usually the setting is much more informal with few candles or linens and ceramic rather than silver.
The "broad church" style attempts to spread its arms and reach toward both ends. There may be a mix of music. The setting is not as formal as the "high church" but more formal than the "contemporary".
Notice I avoid the word "traditional" since what is "traditional" to a person is what they grew up with!! (Old joke -- "traditional in the Episcopal Church is the way I want it done next time!!)
Each style illustrates or illuminates God differently. More importantly each style helps us know and touch a different aspect of God. To do that we must understand the extremes of God. Remember that God is not either/or but is both/and.
On one extreme is the imminent God -- the God who is closer to us than our next breath. The God would walks with us every step of our life. The God who knows us much better than we know ourselves.
On the other end is the creator God. The God who is so far above us that a mere thought created the entire world. The God who is more magnificent than we can even begin to imagine. The God we have no right to approach except if allowed.
The contemporary style tends to illustrate or illumine the imminent God. We avoid the things that might seem to separate us from God: fancy linens, fancy clothing, etc. This style is like having a good friend visit us for lunch.
The high church style tries to illustrate or illumine the creator God ... the God who we really have no right to approach. This style is more like the mail room clerk having the CEO of a multi-national corporation come for dinner! There is no way we can live up to what is expected but we still try to do so. We use all our fanciest things. We do so knowing we cannot impress God, but as a way to show respect for God.
My point is not that either is right or wrong --- simply they are different. And each will touch each of us at different times in our lives. Anyone who knows me knows the high church is not 'my thing' ! But what you may not understand is that is partially because I grew up informal Protestant. But also partially because I tend to think of God as the creator God .... a being so far above me that even a glimpse would be an unexpected gift. So the broad church or contemporary style brings God home to me in a way I need to remember. BUT THAT'S ME!
Other people will have exactly the opposite reaction. Great! The point is to know God and touch God in the way that works for you.
What's most amazing is that our God is so generous, so loving that we are provided with these multiple approaches. Thanks be to God!!
In our jargon we call the more formal style "High Church". This frequently includes chanting, incense (smoke), lots of bells and lots of candles. The clergy vest themselves in special clothing. The physical elements are as formal as possible: silver, linen, etc. The music frequently is classical.
Our regular 5 pm service does not go very far toward the "contemporary" end of the spectrum but it clearly is a step that way. The contemporary style looks to use modern elements to touch people. The music tends to be newer. In many churches the service will look like a modern college classroom with powerpoint presentations of the music and illustrations for the sermon. Usually the setting is much more informal with few candles or linens and ceramic rather than silver.
The "broad church" style attempts to spread its arms and reach toward both ends. There may be a mix of music. The setting is not as formal as the "high church" but more formal than the "contemporary".
Notice I avoid the word "traditional" since what is "traditional" to a person is what they grew up with!! (Old joke -- "traditional in the Episcopal Church is the way I want it done next time!!)
Each style illustrates or illuminates God differently. More importantly each style helps us know and touch a different aspect of God. To do that we must understand the extremes of God. Remember that God is not either/or but is both/and.
On one extreme is the imminent God -- the God who is closer to us than our next breath. The God would walks with us every step of our life. The God who knows us much better than we know ourselves.
On the other end is the creator God. The God who is so far above us that a mere thought created the entire world. The God who is more magnificent than we can even begin to imagine. The God we have no right to approach except if allowed.
The contemporary style tends to illustrate or illumine the imminent God. We avoid the things that might seem to separate us from God: fancy linens, fancy clothing, etc. This style is like having a good friend visit us for lunch.
The high church style tries to illustrate or illumine the creator God ... the God who we really have no right to approach. This style is more like the mail room clerk having the CEO of a multi-national corporation come for dinner! There is no way we can live up to what is expected but we still try to do so. We use all our fanciest things. We do so knowing we cannot impress God, but as a way to show respect for God.
My point is not that either is right or wrong --- simply they are different. And each will touch each of us at different times in our lives. Anyone who knows me knows the high church is not 'my thing' ! But what you may not understand is that is partially because I grew up informal Protestant. But also partially because I tend to think of God as the creator God .... a being so far above me that even a glimpse would be an unexpected gift. So the broad church or contemporary style brings God home to me in a way I need to remember. BUT THAT'S ME!
Other people will have exactly the opposite reaction. Great! The point is to know God and touch God in the way that works for you.
What's most amazing is that our God is so generous, so loving that we are provided with these multiple approaches. Thanks be to God!!
Labels: contemporary worship, God, high church, spirituality
posted by Ken | 8:18 AM
|
1 Comments
Links to this post
