What is Emergent Worship? Part 1

Started by Barry Taylor on January 04, 2011 in Church and Contemporary Culture

What exactly is emergent/altworship?

I think the first thing to be said in answer is that these are movements that enthusiastically embrace the postmodern cultural context in which we find ourselves. Some of the cultural features of this context include new technologies, new forms of connectivity, and decentralization. Those in the altworship and emerging movements embrace new technology as well as the decentralization of power and decision making that current technologies make possible.

The most stunning experience for me this interim was participating in an anglo-Catholic Mass in a very old church that blended ancient ritual, liturgy, and creeds with the use of image and sound reproduction, including a flat screen computer monitor which was perched on the altar table just to the left of the consecrated elements. I found this juxtaposition shocking. But what to me was a bit incongruous was to my students ho-hum. And I think it’s easy to see why. Bread and wine are ordinary things; so too a computer monitor. The former can become for us the body and blood of Christ. The other, ordinary though it may be, can function as a window through which God can communicate via images and sound. No incongruity at all.

Postmodernism is not just a cultural phenomenon, however. There is also what we might call philosophical postmodernism. And this involves, among other things, calling into question “meta-narratives” or grand stories of the world and our place in it, like Marxism, atheistic naturalism, consumerism and Christianity itself. Consciously or not, each of us fits our own particular story into a larger story (or stories), like those just cited.

What gets called into question by philosophical postmodernism is our ability to float free of the grand narratives we find ourselves in and to view things from a “God’s eye view.” Those sensitive to the postmodern situation, like those in the emergent and altworship movements, recognize therefore that our grasp of reality is always partial, incomplete, and fragmentary. And this recognition can engender humility, tolerance, and an opening for dialogue with others. Tolerance and dialogue are two practices those in emergent and altworship both welcome and invite. Someone who really appreciates our human finitude and situatedness might be more inclined to say, “Here’s how I see things and here’s why. But, I recognize that I am a finite and frail human being; so I could certainly be the one with blind spots. How do you see things?’ as opposed to saying “I’m right. You’re wrong, and going to hell. End of story.”

What do you associate with words like “postmodernism,” “emergent,” and “postmodernity”?

Media

Calvin College Pubs,Clubs & Alt Worship Revelation Service

Comments (6)

Tanya /

It's good to see this conversation happening at the Brehm Centre site. I personally associate postmodern or emergent worship with locally appropriate diversity - music is my thing, so I guess I should state that up front - I find that in these churches, rather than having a 'modern' expectation of a production line type experience of worship with a blueprint of songs and styles already chosen, it's more a 'let's see what emerges' type of attitude. I find they are (generally) less inclined to want to teach their people how to worship in a particular style and more inclined towards worship as a response to God's Word located in the talents of the congregation or people. I remember I was excited to read of Solomon's Porch with Brazillian drumming - not because Brazillian drumming is the new fad, but because there is a Brazilian drummer in the congregation. In England there are subcultures of churches reflective of the musical diversity represented, including heavy rock and folk (causing need to address pastoral issues relating to the lifestyles associated with these genres of music). Of course, these things can easily become just models we export, but I like the idea of liturgy being formed in conversation global, local and traditional.

January 29, 2012 5:33:46 PM PDT

jenzambo /

Hello Barry, Is this post too old for comment? I cannot see the one comment listed

Could we call gardening and committed community action emergent worship?

Perhaps seemingly radical at first glance, gardening or urban farming, on a community scale, takes a ability to commune with both nature and many people in a balanced and adaptable manor (perhaps postmodern communication). Such gardening also takes the ability to create aesthetically pleasing little plots of land that must be maintained to endure until fruit can come. And here I am not referencing physical fruit. How is this worship?

With my life I long to worship Christ as I live within this world. I worship with my thoughts, my prayers, my actions and my hands. I believe that any action intentionally carried out in effort to glorify God can be characterized as worship- is this absurd? Many would consider urban agriculture in the united states a movement, what if Christians could lead it?

A paradox in this statement "Those in the altworship and emerging movements embrace new technology as well as the decentralization of power and decision making that current technologies make possible." is that a new emergent worship would have to have individuals forging decisions. Such action is not always easy and emergent worship practices will always evolve to experience such power decentralization. I must say I already have witnessed such evolution.

"God's eye view" is always mandated and this is why we each must work our own faith.

If this is not what you were looking for, I hope you gathered something none the less.

In Grace

Jennifer

February 08, 2012 3:27:09 AM PDT

Pyry /

Music has aaylws spoke to me in ways I can't explain. However, my singing voice is only pleasing to the LORD!! Thankfully, my sister has the most amazing voice, so I used to get her to sing the songs I really liked. I remember one of the first times we came to STF and you sang "Let Your Light Shine." It made me want to come back to STF, as that is one of my favorite songs. I use to blast it in my car on the way to work singing to the top of my lungs

February 18, 2012 7:01:12 PM PDT

Dulcelena /

, Good Question Pastors are tcrahees and should always be learning. My exhortation was to not come across like a prof in class, but as a anointed man communicating in layman's terms. on 29 March 2011 / 2:04 PM

February 18, 2012 7:56:17 PM PDT

Samina /

I eenyojd reading this and wholeheartedly agree with the homily. Thanksfor sharing it. As a longtime member of the United Methodist Church, Ihave come to not enjoy the worship service because it has become less liturgical and to me less conducive to authentic worship. Thus, I have been able to keep my membership for the present and worshipat an Episcopal Church which has much more reverance and meaning in the worship and liturgy tradition. John R Huff JrCommunicant at St. Barnabas Episcopal ChurchDenton, Texas

February 18, 2012 8:42:07 PM PDT

Tania /

The bggiest tragedy to me is that Kidz Church usually has a selfish motivation. Parents cannot/willnot put up with their children during Church service and instruct their children in the Gospel, so they put the Kidz in storage and give the job to someone else. But this is not good for anyone your knowledge of something deepens when you take up the responsibility of teaching it. As an adult looking back on my recent childhood, there is nothing in this world anyone can buy me that would be more precious than the way my parents taught me God's word. I pray others would also experience this blessing, and Kidz Church is not a step in the right direction.

February 18, 2012 10:00:01 PM PDT