2003
Council explores dynamics of worship
Two leading theologians explored the dynamics of worship in today's
churches as 138 people gathered for this year's
Anabaptist Evangelism Council held
February 14-16, 2003, in Chicago.
Robert Webber, a longtime Wheaton (Ill.) College professor who now
teaches at Northern Baptist Theological Seminary in nearby Lombard, was
the featured speaker for the weekend, while prolific writer and lecturer
Martin Marty gave an opening-night keynote address.
The event, sponsored by
New Life Ministries
and held in conjunction with a Council of International Anabaptist
Ministries (CIM) meeting, had as its theme "New
Worship Forms for a New Millennium." Both men, and especially
Webber, looked to the scriptural and historical roots of the church as a
primary source for those new forms.
"Everything refers to something from Christ's life," Webber said.
"Worship is essentially the gospel in motion."
Webber said the first three centuries of the early church are an
important source for inspiration as young adults and others seek worship
that is more authentic, deep, and participatory. He suggests combining
that heritage with the more experiential aspects of contemporary
worship, "converging" the best of both traditions into what he calls an
"ancient-future" approach.
He also advocates recapturing a sense of mystery and awe in churches'
worship life through rituals and symbols, directing energy toward the
growing movement of smaller house churches and neighborhood churches,
and being counter-cultural—shaping the world instead of the other way
around. The Anabaptist churches, he says, are primed to meet those
needs.
Webber demonstrated what he taught by leading worship on the final
morning of the event, combining scripture, songs, prayer, a passing of
the peace, a storytelling-style message with discussion, and communion.
More details on his presentations can be found in the April issue of "Agenda."
Earlier, Marty voiced his wish to let God have a voice in planning
worship, allowing room for silence and keeping the focus on praising and
experiencing God.
"The wonder of worship is that it signs—it points to God, to the future,
to God in Christ," Marty told the group. "We don't produce God; we
offer."
Marty described the distinction between authentic worship and
"entertainment" worship as not a line, but a zone requiring discernment
and sensitivity. In any case, though, the work of God through Jesus
Christ must remain central. "You should never get in front of a
congregation without imagining that between you and them is the cross,"
Marty said.
By Walt Wiltschek, manager of news services for the
Church of the
Brethren General Board.
From the February 21, 2003, edition of Church of the Brethren
Newsline.
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