Ideas about WorshipShannan Vance-Ocampo

for the Session RetreatWAPC November 2011

Issues Less “bodies in the pews” A sense that something has to change, but change

worries us Time of Worship (Sports, Families) Differing tastes around style, music, etc. Cultural pushes—In all congregations

› Sundays are the #1 shopping day in the week in the USA› Sports/Activities› Weekend Travel› Busy, overcommitted people› Different Generational Understandings of Commitment,

etc.

Is our worship & ministry operating from a 1.0 world

mindset or a 2.0 world...? What worldview do people bring with them to

church/worship?

Static content Enhancing

knowledge Information download Little to no

interaction Users are passive

recipients of information

FINDING

Dynamically generated content

Enhancing creativity Information sharing Collaboration Users are required to

engage with information, create it

CREATING & SHARING

Basic Outline of Reformed Worship

Gathering (Call to Worship, Gathering Song, Announcements, Welcome)

Confession (and passing of the Peace) Word (Scripture, Sermon, Song) Responding to the Word (Offering,

Communion, Baptism, Sending Song, and Benediction—a sending into the world to respond to the Word until the next time we gather)

Why Worship? Worshipping God is an essential part of what makes

us human We do not make worship meaningful, it is already

meaningful because it is worship We though need to make it authentic so those we

serve can understand it Not everything is authentic “Worship is what happens when people become aware

that they are in the presence of the living God.” This meets the area of practice—worship is one part of

the spiritual life, an outgrowth of it (holistic understanding)

Why Gather? Fellowship Community Sharing of Joys and Concerns Friendship Intergenerational Disjointed Community outside Celebration/Sorrow Renewing, Rejuvenation, Refreshment Others?

Ideas….

Sarellen and I have been reading this book as one way to prepare for our conversations

1. Make room, somewhere in worship, for the experience of mystery

People as hungry for an experience of God

Where have you experienced mystery in worship at WAPC? Other places?

How might we engage people in mystery, what sorts of practices might interest us?

2. Make planned and concerted efforts to show hospitality to the stranger

People today want to know that someone loves, accepts, and welcomes them

Prayers of the people How do we reach out to strangers? How do we

invite others to worship with us? Do you ever tell anyone about your faith or about WAPC?

Practical issues: set-up of narthex, welcome, signage in front of/inside the church

Importance of greeters Allowing greater participation shows hospitality

3. Have recovered and made visible the sense of drama inherent in Christian worship

Not drama as in theatre, but drama as in the drama of God’s story being reenacted in every part of worship

Flow in worship is very important Waking up all the senses in worship Joyful, engaging music What are ideas of dramatic expression

in worship for you?

4. Emphasize congregational music that is both excellent and eclectic in style and genre

What sort of music do you like? What sort of music do you think that people out there who do not come to church in our community like?

Would we be willing to give up some of our tastes?

Music must be excellent but not create a distance

5. Creatively adapt the space and environment of worship

Tent—Early worship spaces as tents. Tents were moveable, changed locations. (We are constantly moving as the people of God. Way station for pilgrims on the move.)

Temple—Place for awe, wonder. Some temples were large, some were house-churches. (Awe and space for fellowship)

Tent: Follow me Temple: Take off your shoes, you are on holy ground.

Worship Space Adaptations

Movement between areas (something we need between the Sanctuary and the Parish Hall)--FLOW

Location of pews (do some come out?) Do we configure them in a new way?

Light, color, draping and paraments Choir as separated from worshipers Lectern/pulpit closer to the congregation Create intimacy in worship

New York Avenue Presbyterian, Washington D.C.

St. John’s Presbyterian, San Francisco

First Presbyterian, Ashland, Oregon(Pentecost Sunday)

Interactive Prayer Stations

6. Forge a strong connection between worship and local mission—a connection expressed in every aspect of the worship service

Prayers and testimony about local mission in worship (something we have started doing this year!)

Doors to the church like saloon doors in the West (swing both ways)

Hymns that pick up missional themes I think this is one of the areas we can

really capitalize on at WAPC

7. Maintain a relatively stable order of service and a significant repertoire of worship elements and responses that the congregation knows by heart

Expanding sing-able responses Expanding spoken responses Order of worship needs to stay stable,

but elements within it can change. Tension between stability and innovation.

Bulletins are for visitors—not regular congregational members

Use of projection?

8. Move to a joyous festival experience toward the end of the worship service

Regular inclusion of Communion› Importance type of music selected at

communion time› How are the elements brought forward, how do

the people gather around the table? Sermon as an occasion for joy

› Does not mean there is no challenge in sermon, but ending is joyful--invitational

Music, dance, testimony› Inviting members to share with music, dance,

testimony—focus on JOY

9. Have strong, charismatic pastors as worship leaders

Positive personal connection with congregation

Gather gifts of congregation Share leadership of worship with others Embody holy character of worship Strong lay leadership to worship

changes is essential

Questions??????? What would we like to do? What time should worship best be at? What are our dreams? What are our hopes? What are our fears? Where would we like to be one year,

two years, five years from now? Others?????

Resources/Credits

Slide #3 is from Adam Walker Cleaveland’s presentation, How Technology is Changing our Faith and Worship

Info on Interactive Prayer Stations are from Rev. Theresa Cho of St. John’s Presbyterian (San Francisco)

Photos are from St. John’s Presbyterian (CA), New York Avenue Presbyterian (DC), an unknown congregation, First Presbyterian (OR)