Today we venture out into a new email series - on worship. We find ourselves in a spiritually intrigued society, but one that is uncertain about organized religion, public worship, or the need for any kind of Church. Even those of us who are determined to stick with the Church either duck or take up arms ourselves in the so-called "worship wars," as debates rage over how to attract worshippers, hold their attention, while being true to who we are.
In this series, we will look at worship: what is it? Why does it matter? What are its essential elements? Does style matter? and if so, which style is the right style? What is Baptism? and how old do you have to be? What happens in the Lord's Supper? How do we listen to sermons? or sing hymns? What's in the room? and what shouldn't be in the room? Who's in the room? who isn't? and who cares?
To answer these questions, we will weigh how worship happened in the Bible, and investigate the theological richness in ancient practices. We will also try to get inside the psyche of the modern person and think about why worship might be a good thing, a transforming activity, an education that reshapes you morally, or an experience to make your knees buckle.
We will even dare to declare some of what we do in worship to be out of bounds, invalid, or theologically counter-productive. Naturally, I would expect some debate, some conversation - and as always with these email series, discussion is welcomed, and expected. Click "reply" right now to ask any questions, or to stake out a position - and as we proceed, I will be eager to hear from you. Sharing of emails is not only permitted, but encouraged. We know of classes and small groups that use these emails. Part of the delight of writing and reading is that even as you and I seem to be solitary individuals peering into a computer screen, we find ourselves to be part of an online community reflecting on what really is the reason we were placed on this earth: to worship God in spirit and in truth. That is all grace, all miracle to me.
So thanks for joining in this journey!
James
james@mpumc.org
On Wednesday evenings, starting tomorrow (August 31), I will be leading a series of workshops on worship here at Myers Park. You (whoever you are!) are welcome to come at 6:45!
Sunday's sermon, on Genesis 50, may be heard by clicking here.
