Short answers to big questions: What makes Christian worship Christian? What makes Christian worship Worship? Are there required ingredients for worship? What separates Christian from pseudo-Christian worship?
-What separates Christian from pseudo-Christian worship?
-Acknowledgement of the deity of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
-An orthodox acknowledgement of Scripture, the Church, forgiveness and the eschaton.
-Agreement with the Nicene Creed.
How should Christians worship?
-Are there specific guidelines for worship, regardless of culture?
Yes! You should:
-Use the biblical tools and means of worship.
-Have a theological plan.
-Worship in a culturally relevant style.
–What is the difference between style and content? (C. Cherry)
-Style is the way we express the content within our context.
-Style is negotiable; content is non-negotiable.
-Style is contextual; content is universal.
What is causing conflict?
-Why is “church” the hardest thing about being a Christian?
-We have confused unity with sameness (1 Cor 12:19).
-We are Human!
-Disagreement on the primary purpose of the gathering (worship or evangelism).
-Our culture has enthroned music.
-A shifting culture (postmodernism).
-How has the Culture shifted? (R. Webber)
-Scientific – from Rationalism to Mystery
-Philosophic – from Individual to Communal
-Communication – from Verbal to Symbolic
How can Modern Church worship adapt to Postmodernism?
-Are there specific steps necessary to move towards Postmodernism? (R. Webber)
-Embrace mystery and paradox; don’t just explain and reason people into the faith.
-Design communal services; increase participation; decrease presentation.
-Incorporate symbolic communication; let the Arts speak the Truth.