Modern Methodist Worship

Modern Methodist Worship

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Methodist churches are not often described as modern. We are a traditional church by both name and practice. We have a certain method of doing things here, and it has worked for us for a long time.

A group of students at Oxford in the early 1700s were referred to as methodists by the clergy of the Church of England because of their habit of gathering together for bible study, prayer, fasting, and mutual encouragement in the faith. The students agreed that it was a formula, and thought it was such a good one that they adopted the name Methodist for the societies they established across England.

Positive habits are a good thing. The best way to get rid of bad habits is to replace them with good ones. Smokers often replace cigarettes with sunflower seeds and those on diets trade cupcakes for celery sticks. Cultivating good habits is a good practice.

Methodism has come a long way since those early days. It began as a radical rebellion against the complacency of the Church of England, and has settled into something much more comfortable. The Methodist church has been a relatively conservative, predictable institution for a long time. The society around the church has changed a lot over the last few decades - certainly much more than Methodism. How much should we allow these changes to affect our praise and worship?

Traditionalists would say that change isnt necessary - that any changes that must take place should be gradual, and occur over a long period of time. Whats wrong with the hymnals that we have? Why fix it if it isnt broken? Our praise and worship traditions may be old, but they are a source of strength. If younger visitors dont appreciate them, its their fault, not ours. Our way of doing things is tried and true.

This kind of thinking is dangerous. We are charged with reaching every generation with the message of Christs love for us, and the young are leaving the church, only to return for Christmas, Easter, weddings and funerals. Whether we like it or not, they are losing interest in the way we do church. We have to reach them where they are, not where we wish they were. Many of them dont connect with the form of worship that we have grown to know and love, and we cant ignore that fact.

For many in our culture, the traditions that we find so comforting are completely foreign. For many of them, a visit to your church is no different from attending a mosque in Iran. They feel as if everyone is watching and judging them, and in truth, some are.

You have probably heard that some Methodist churches are starting new worship services to cater toward those uncomfortable with traditional worship. They are intentionally targeting younger members of their community, and trying different approaches to worship.


Additional services are being launched that trade the organ & piano for synthesizer and guitar. Drum sets are being used. Skits are being performed to introduce the sermon. Videos are being shown during worship, and announcements have been shifted to projected powerpoint presentations. Its different, its sometimes strange to long-time members of the church, but its making a difference.

Methodists may resist change, but many have decided that its necessary. We are beginning to modernize for the sake of reaching the lost. It is ruffling feathers, dragging people out of comfort zones, and hurting feelings. It causes disagreements, inconveniences, and arguments. It isnt easy. It is worthwhile.

The apostle Paul wrote that he wanted to be all things to all people in order to share the gospel with them. He would discuss philosophy with the philosophers, talk about Judaism with fellow Jews, and speak with Pantheists about Pantheism. In the same way, we have to speak the language of our culture to win their hearts for Jesus Christ. If this includes using different musical instruments, videos, and other creative techniques, then so be it.

The sacrifice Jesus performed for our salvation is a gift beyond measure. As Methodists, we are learning to understand that the way that gift is packaged is not nearly as important as the gift itself. If a change in the packaging will lead to a greater number of people being willing to receive that gift, we should change the packaging. Methodism started out as a rebellion against the norm, maybe its time that we rebelled against some norms of our own.

Rob Pearce
http://www.worshipbasics.com

About the Author:
If your church is considering starting a contemporary service, but is hesitant because of the problems that are certain to surface, Rob Pearce offers a free mini-course entitled Solutions to the 7 Roadblocks to Starting Contemporary Worship Services at www.worshipbasics.com.



www.worshipbasics.com



Article Originally Published On: http://www.articlesnatch.com


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