Today this blog is going public, and its my hope that it enters an emerging conversation among friends globally. I’ll post almost daily, forever. Yep.
Why a blog? I want to stimulate, and be shaped by, thinking related to the “now” of worship, and how it relates to the “then” of worship in the earth — 500 years from now. As well, thoughts on cultural formation/transformation, contemporary Christian mindset and the miracle that is a human being will be bounced around.
Why 500 years? There is nothing magical about the number, except that it is not mistaken, historically, to percieve that significant social and cultural change occurs in larger time increments – though sped up significantly in our day.
I can’t imagine seeing 1000 years down the road; it would be unrealistic on so many levels.
To build things for the next 50 years feels short-sighted.
Yet, to see 500 years down the road, a series of generations of children and great grandchildren, and so on — this seems to be an important and possible way to view the decisions you and I will make today about worship. Trans-generational thinking. This is good.
Today, the contemporary expression of worship in the Church has added on to the greater body of worship work throughout history. It has brought fresh unity, commonality, diversity, immanence, mindset and exuberance into the system — in many ways a reaction to the rationalities of modernism. (I for one am thankful that the arts and conceptual thinking have once again been invited into the cultural front-seat.)
After postmodernism, other cultural shifts will be reactions to our re-visitation of mystery, wonder and the right brain, and a neo-modernism may take place. After that, a neo-post-neo-modernism, and so on.
So, my interest is this: what remains true, for all time, about the human heart postured in worship before God? Are the convergences taking place now, of ancient forms and contemporary forms, large enough ideas to sustain a vision of God and our friendship/followership with Him in a changing cultural future? Could all those struggling with “church” as they know it find a home in a “Church” redefined?
The novelty must wear off, and worship training events and seminars must think more distantly than the next year, 10 years or 50 years. We must build our development and enrichment, our art and our liturgics, our Christian worldview, in view of themes that will still be vital 500 years from now. I’m committed, and I know others who are. Join the conversation.
