October 23, 2006
How Do You Teach Your People to be an Above Average Worshiping Community?
Some of my friends and I have been having discussions about how you teach worship in the local church. It is not easy!
I remember how a well-meaning person once said to me “It’s so easy … our church achieved worship renewal in 15 minutes.” Raising my eyebrows in a gesture of horror and amazement, I said “How so?” “Well,” he said matter-of-factly, “We brought in a guitar, pulled our seats into a circle and there we were – worship renewal.” Fortunately most people don’t think this superficially.
So, how do you teach your people to be a worshiping community? What does authentic biblical worship look like? Are there theological considerations? What role does faith, memory, anticipation, vision, symbol, God’s story, play in a solid biblical reform of our worship?
How do we get past just stringing together a grocery list of things to do? How do you get past enthusiasm as a substitute for deeply felt convictions that shape the soul of communal worship?
These are a few of the questions I am asking you to think about – and share with others who will join the conversation. So, write me and let me comment on the insights you want to share with others.
In the meantime, I have addressed some of those questions in “30 Days of Worship Discovery with Robert Webber.”
Review the 30 Days on my website and let me know what you think. But more importantly, share with me your understanding and breakthroughs and let’s get a conversation started.
On a personal note – many of you know I am battling pancreatic cancer. I have been out of the loop for awhile – but with the help of Almighty God, radiation and chemo, I am getting back on my feet and have an open window for the near future at least to join in conversation with you.
I can’t answer your individual e-mails, but I can incorporate your insights into my regular column and help us all focus on how an average Christian congregation can become a more than average community of committed worship leaders. (www.ancientfutureworship.com)God Bless,
Bob Webber
Myers Professor of Ministry
Director of M.A. in Worship and Spirituality
Northern Seminary—www.seminary.edu
(See Northern's M.A. in Worship and Spirituality and D.Min. in Worship by clicking on the website.)
