Abandoned
Since infogami has been abandoned by its creators, I’m out too. Back to web.fisher.cx for me. Everything that was here is there.
Robert Fisher
Just thinking out loud
Worship
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Herein I muse about worship services.
I actually like a traditional service & the occasional “rivival”. I'm not a big fan of “praise & worship”. I'm sorry, but I don't prefer Shine Jesus shine to Take time to be holy or A mighty fortress is our God. If we're going to update the music, let's choose things like: Casting Crowns' If we are the body; dc Talk's Jesus freak; or even Larry Norman's Sweet song of salvation, or Rich Mullins' Awesome God. (The last two can hardly be called “contemporary” anymore.) I'm horrible at keeping up with the latest & greatest, but there's an awful lot of good music being written today that belongs in worship.
OK, I'm really fine with Shine Jesus shine, & I'm sure it speaks to some people. I just think the idea should not be just to trade centuries old (aka tried & true) for decades old. It should be to have a good mix of music of faith from all periods. (Not only because I personally like all kinds of music, but because worship attempt to appeal to a wide range of musical preferences.)
Worship should include the Lord's prayer, but it shouldn't always be the traditional wording. The traditional wording certainly has meaning to me, & I'd want it in the rotation. I think it's important, though, for it not to be simple rote chanting. Also, what is plain language to one is obfuscation to another; we need different wordings—whether modern or ancient—to help us consider the meaning of the prayer.
Every worship should include communion.
Every worship should include scripture. It should—generally—be read from a paraphrase version that aims for plain, modern language.
There should be a time for prayer requests to be solicited from the congregation.
I was part of a congregation once in which none of the leaders of worship sat on the altar area--the stage. Instead, they sat on the front rows & only approached the altar when it was time to fulfill their role in the service. Then afterwards, they again took their seat in the congregation.
Even the choir! They didn't wear robes, & they sat with their friends & family. They came up to the altar for the anthem, & then dispersed back into the congregation afterwards.
I liked that very much.
last updated 2 years ago #
