Why All This Worship Variety?
Worship in Focus
NNZ Spirit Led
October 2010
2. Theology and Culture of
Worship
1.Theology of Worship
Content
Structure
2. Culture of Communication and
Worship – Jesus to 2009 & beyond
Style
Definition of Worship
“Worship is a rehearsal (retelling, re-celebrating) of the
saving actions of God in history”
Robert Webber, “Learning to Worship with All Your
Heart,” Hendricksen, 1996, pages 12-15
Expansion of the definition
God’s saving actions climax in:
The work of Christ
The overthrow of the powers of evil
The final establishing of the
kingdom in the new heavens and the
new earth.
Robert Webber
1. Theology of Worship
a. “The Great Controversy” theme, as
a foundation for a theology of worship
“The Great Controversy” theme
A Worship Leader’s Prayer:
Lord, we bless you for creating us in Your
image. And we thank You that after we fell
away from You in sin, You did not leave us in
our sin, but You came to us in Jesus Christ,
who lived, died, and was resurrected for our
salvation.
Now, as we await His coming again, receive
our worship in His name, AMEN.
Consider how you can apply a
Great Controversy theme to the
choice of worship elements
including songs and special
music
1. Theology of Worship
a. “The Great Controversy” theme, as
a foundation for a theology of
Adventist worship
b. The theology of Hebrews as a
foundation for a theology of Adventist
worship
2. A Scriptural Model
Communities in Culture Change
There is a biblical framework for
discussing the process of culture change.
Look at the relevance of the book of
Hebrews for discussions of culture in
Adventist worship.
Discussions of worship culture are as old
as NT Christianity itself.
The central place of Jesus Christ at the
heart of Christian worship.
A Worshiping Community in
Culture Change
A two-fold message from Hebrews.
Despite the incredible pressure of culture
change both in the world and in the Church,
hang on and do not lose your confidence in
Jesus.
Jesus is our worship leader, standing at the
throne of God, interpreting us, mouthing our
prayers, amplifying our praise, beautifying our
devotion and offering it to God.
2. Communication Culture &
Worship
Jesus to 2009 and beyond
Your Church
Points of culture uneasiness
Millennium Matrix Language and Communication
Oral
1500AD
Oral – Liturgical Worship
What about worship in the world of
Oral Communication?
Repetitive liturgy
Symbols
Sacraments – Lord’s Supper is central
Events based on the seasons of the year
Short sermons
Chanting and singing – biblical texts
Scripture reading by literate leaders
No Bibles in pews
Architecture – sacred places reflect heavenly
realities
Matrix Worship Structure
Oral /
Liturgical
Liturgy
4000 - 1500
A ceremony
An intricately scripted
play
Matrix Worship Focus
Oral /
Liturgical
Communion (Eucharist)
4000 - 1500
Focus and practice is the
same each week
Matrix Worship Music Signature
Oral /
Liturgical
Chant
4000 - 1500
Single melodic line
Musical instruments
sometimes seen as
distractions
Millennium Matrix Church Identity among 2 Billion+ Xians
Oral /
Liturgical
4000 - 1500
Catholic--1B
Orthodox-200M
Anglican-80M
(High Church)
About 65% of
all Christians in
the world
Many consider this next change the
most significant change in human
communication in human history
What is the change?
Millennium Matrix Language and Communication
Oral
1500AD
Print
1500
1950
Print-Reformed Worship
Oral – Liturgical Worship
The world of print communication
First book to be printed?
Mass communication
Quick communication
Books appear in church. Which ones.
The world of print communication
A change of emphasis from the
MESSENGER to the MESSAGE.
A rather more MYSTICAL view of the
world is left behind and a RATIONAL,
ORDERLY world takes its place. How do
you see this playing out in church history?
In church life?
The CONTENT of the message becomes
dominant.
Worship in the world of print
communication
Ritual of re-enacting Last Supper replaced by
retelling of the gospel
Focus of service shifts from Eucharist to
preaching the word
Preaching becomes more rationalistic
Hymns carry more content, melodically more
complex
Bible replaces trusted leadership as source of
authority and truth
Sermons become longer
Even architecture reflects a more rational view of
sacred things
Matrix Worship structure
Oral /
Liturgical
Typo’
Reformed
A “Service”
4000 - 1500
1500 - 1950
Sermon oriented
Liturgy
Ceremony
Matrix Worship Focus
Oral /
Liturgical
Typo’
Reformed
Sermon
4000 - 1500
1500 - 1950
The focus changes
each week
Eucharist
Matrix Worship Music Signature
Oral /
Liturgical
Typo’
Reformed
4000 - 1500
1500 - 1950
Chant
Hymns
Conveying truth
Grand stories of
cosmic struggle
Personal devotion
Community aspirations
Complex melodies and
harmonies (Printing)
Simple Rhythms
Matrix Church Identity - 2 Billion Xians
Oral /
Liturgical
Print
Reformed
4000 - 1500
1500 - 1950
Catholic--1B
Orthodox-200M
Anglican-80M
(High Church)
Lutheran
Presbyterian
Anglican (ev)
Methodist
Baptist
Adventist
About 65% of About 15% of
all Christians in all Christians
the world
Millennium Matrix Language and Communication
Oral
1500AD
Print
Broadcast
1500
1950
1950
2000-10
Broadcast-Celebration Worship
Print-Reformed Worship
Oral – Liturgical Worship
Culture shifts with broadcast and
especially with television
Broadcast’s immediate experience replaces
print’s rational analysis.
Broadcast’s dramatized presentations replace
print’s structured oratory.
Broadcast’s emphasis on process replaces
print’s emphasis on outcome.
Print makes reason king and stimulates
reflective thinking.
Broadcast adds desire and emotion and
stimulates reflexive thinking.[2]
What about worship in the world of
broadcast communication?
Shorter sermons (sometimes)
Strong emphasis on music
Utilizing audio visual support
Use of drama to convey messages
Dependence on the broadcast art of
persuasion in preaching
Multipurpose church architecture
Flexible room design
Matrix Worship Structure
Oral /
Liturgical
Typo’
Broadcast
Reformed Celebration
4000 - 1500
1500 - 1950
Liturgy
Service
Ceremony
Sermon
oriented
1950 - 2000
Program
An event centered on
celebration style
worship, motivational
preaching
Matrix Worship Focus
Oral /
Liturgical
Typo’
Broadcast
Reformed Celebration
4000 - 1500
1500 - 1950
Eucharist
Sermon
1950 - 2000
Praise
The focus
changes each
week
Matrix Worship Music Signature
Oral /
Liturgical
Typo’
Broadcast
Reformed Celebration
4000 - 1500
1500 - 1950
Chant
Hymns
Praise
Songs
1950 - 2000
Primarily relational
Primarily personal
Simple Harmonies
Complex Rhythms
Hymns
Praise
Songs
Conveying truth
Grand stories of
cosmic struggle
Personal devotion
Community aspirations
Complex melodies and
harmonies (Printing)
Simple Rhythms
Primarily relational
Primarily personal
Simple Harmonies
Complex Rhythms
Millennium Matrix Church Identity - 2 Billion Xians
Oral /
Liturgical
Print
Reformed
Broadcast
Celebration
4000 - 1500
1500 - 1950
1950 – 2000-10
Catholic--1B
Orthodox-200M
Anglican-80M
(High Church)
400M
Lutheran
Independent
Presbyterian
Anglican (ev)
Mega Churches
Methodist
Some Charismatic
Baptist
Modified mainline
Adventist
Adventist
About 65% of About 15% of
all Christians in all Christians
the world
About 20% of all
Christians
Millennium Matrix Language and Communication
Oral
1500AD
Print
Broadcast
1500
1950
1950
2000-10
Digital
Interactive
Converging
2000-10
Dig Int Conv
Broadcast-Celebration Worship
Print-Reformed Worship
Oral – Liturgical Worship
Characteristics of the digital culture
Information from peers and networks rather than
from institutions and authorities
No boundaries or restrictions in passing on info.
Direct unmediated hands-on experiences
Personal networks replacing main-event
experiences
The capacity to reframe the past rather than
disgard it (as sometimes happens in broadcast)
Multimedia language overtakes broadcast’s
visual language
Self-directed learning, exploration
What about worship in the world of
digital communication?
Body of Christ – race gender status
equality
Collaborative experiences
Music is a fusion of all styles
Architecture and context – shift from mega
churches to small scale, rooted in
communities, house churches
Matrix Worship Structure
Oral /
Liturgical
Typo’
Broadcast
Inclusive
Reformed Celebration Convergence
4000 - 1500
1500 - 1950
Liturgy
Ceremony
Service
Sermon
oriented
1950 - 2000
Program
2000 -
Gathering
Interactive collaboration
Dynamic “Brainstorming”
Technology provides diverse
experiences
Matrix Worship Music Signature
Oral /
Liturgical
Typo’
Broadcast
Inclusive
Reformed Celebration Convergence
4000 - 1500
1500 - 1950
Chant
Hymns
1950 - 2000
Song and
Choruses
2000 -
Impromptu
- Fusion
Mixing the idioms of jam sessions, praise
concerts, formal hymns. Simpler services,
“unplugged” acoustical worship balancing
highly technical productions.
Prayer Room
An example of Worship in the
Digital, Convergent,
Interactive culture
Church on Facebook
An example of Worship in the
Digital, Convergent,
Interactive culture
FacebookChurch
http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#!/group.php?gid
=106158576081323&ref=mf
A meeting for young adults
An example of Worship in the
Digital, Convergent,
Interactive culture
Matrix Church Identity - 2 Billion Xians
Oral /
Liturgical
Print
Reformed
Broadcast
Celebration
4000 - 1500
1500 - 1950
1950 – 2000-10
Digital
Inclusive
Convergence
2000-10 Catholic--1B
Orthodox-200M
Anglican-80M
(High Church)
400M
Lutheran
New churches
Independent
Presbyterian
Church planting
Anglican (ev)
Mega Churches
Eclectic worship
Methodist
Some Charismatic WWW & networks
Baptist
Modified mainline
Adventist
Some Adventist
About 65% of About 15% of
all Christians in all Christians
the world
About 20% of all
Christians
Worshipers coming
from all Christian
traditions
Matrix Weaknesses of the eras
Oral /
Liturgical
Traditionalism
4000 - 1500
Practices take on a
significance beyond their
actual effect
Matrix Weaknesses of the eras
Oral /
Liturgical
Typo’
Reformed
4000 - 1500
1500 - 1950
Traditionalism
Legalism
Maintaining cohesion
through codes of
belief and behaviour
Rationalism
Argument and proving
points becomes a
dominant activity
Matrix Weaknesses of the eras
Oral /
Liturgical
Typo’
Broadcast
Reformed Celebration
4000 - 1500
1500 - 1950
Traditionalism
Legalism
Rationalism
1950 - 2000
“My experience”
External validation
becomes less
important
Matrix Weaknesses of the eras
Oral /
Liturgical
Typo’
Broadcast
Inclusive
Reformed Celebration Convergence
4000 - 1500
1500 - 1950
1950 - 2000
2000 -
Traditionalism
Legalism
Rationalism
License
Losing touch
with the
mainstream
No input from
the outside
Matrix Contributions of the eras
Oral /
Liturgical
Typo’
Reformed
4000 - 1500
1500 - 1950
1950 - 2010
2010 -
Community
of
Faith
Priesthood
of the
Believer
Expressive
Worship
Passion
Faith
Inclusive Body
Broadcast
Inclusive
Celebration Convergence
Matrix SDA Responses and Experiments
Oral /
Liturgical
4000 - 1500
Often negative
Biblical notion of
“falling away”
At La Sierra University
Church
Matrix SDA Experiments
Typo /
Reformed
1500 - 1950
Mainstream SDA
Huge challenge for youth
ministry - all youth were
born in the broadcast era,
but even that is in the
process of change
Matrix SDA Experiments
Broadcast /
Celebration
1950- 2010
“Celebration” Churches
Most church plants in
the western world
Most memory events in
youth and young adult
ministry
Matrix SDA Experiments
Inclusive /
Interactive
2000-
Church on WWW - Web Ring
YouthPAGES - web pastors
Virtual Church - Riga Latvia
Café Church - Europe
Church Plants in Western
world, including Australia
Matrix SDA Experiments
Inclusive /
Interactive
2000-
Virtual Church in Latvia
Religious News
Talk, Prayer, Counselling,
Pastors on line, Chats
Sermons, both text and audio
Health Talks
Jokes, poems, banner
exchange
Matrix Where to now?
Inclusive /
Interactive
2000-
Your church?
Churches where you will lead
worship?
Rex Miller final word
Each of our religious traditions was born
and crafted in a particular medium, time,
and expression of God’s visitation. Each
provides a unique and important revelation
into God’s unlimited character. Like a
prism these traditions refract the light of
God’s revelation and character. No matter
which facet we look through, we see the
same truth at the centre.
Regardless of our structures, styles,
content and expression, we truly are one
body. Our task in this time of tumultuous
transition is to find a way to rise above our
numerous disintegrations and act like one
body. The world will never know Jesus
until we do that.
To survive we must
step into the future with confidence,
overcome the tyrannies of tradition and inertia,
fulfill our commission,
manifest transcendent life and community,
offer a legitimate prophetic voice,
provide an ethic which understands both
timelessness and change
finally circle back to where we began and where
our communion with God began: with God’s
living word.
Time for Questions