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Are We Still Fighting over Worship?
There is a cancer update at the end of this message. CHIP STAM STEM CELL DRIVE: BE THE MATCH www.carlstam.org/stemcelldrive ===================================== What do you think about worship wars in the middle of 2010? Are today's Christ-centered, Spirit-led churches still pulling different directions when they consider the appropriate content of Lord's Day worship? What about the tone or ethos of what we pray and say and sing when we gather as the local church for worshiping the God of creation and redemption? Think about the changes that have occurred in your church's worship patterns in the last ten years. Would you agree with these introductory thoughts from Clayton Schmit's new book, SENT AND GATHERED: A WORSHIP MANUAL FOR THE MISSIONAL CHURCH? ARE WE STILL FIGHTING OVER WORSHIP? The era of fighting over worship styles and musical preferences in worship is, in some camps, drawing to a close. There is a refreshing breeze of worship renewal blowing through the Christian church not only in North America but also in many places across the planet. It is characterized by churches—local, national, and global—seeking to learn from their historical and denominational roots as well as from the liturgical expressions of Christians in other places. At times, this occurs as one congregation borrows from the resources and practice of a church across town. At other times, it happens when a congregation borrows worship ideas or music from another culture or country. Sometimes both happen at once. But the interest is not merely in borrowing from others. It also involves rethinking patterns of the past and finding in them value for present use. This book addresses the current situation by describing the nature of this liturgical convergence and providing principles for shaping liturgies that are missionally focused, creative, dynamic, theologically congruent, and appropriate to each local setting. It addresses the question of Christian worship in a general way and does not presume to speak particularly to a single worship tradition or denomination. The hope is that we can explore the common ground that unites us as Christian worshipers who gather regularly for prayer, praise, and communion with our Creator. — Clayton J. Schmit, SENT AND GATHERED: A WORSHIP MANUAL FOR THE MISSIONAL CHURCH. Grand Rapids: Baker Academic, 2009, pp. 11-12. ISBN 978-0-8010-3165-6. Blessings to all! Chip Stam Director, Institute for Christian Worship School of Church Ministries The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary Louisville, Kentucky www.wqotw.org www.sbts.edu/icw ==================== THE PLACE OF THE CHOIR IN WORSHIP: PART 1 (Ed Willmington): http://www.wqotw.org/quote.php?date=2010-01-05 THE PLACE OF THE CHOIR IN WORSHIP: PART 2 (Carl Stam): http://www.wqotw.org/quote.php?date=2010-01-12 THE PLACE OF THE CHOIR IN WORSHIP: PART 3 (Donald Hustad): http://www.wqotw.org/quote.php?date=2010-01-19 THE PLACE OF THE CHOIR IN WORSHIP: PART 4 (Ron Man): http://www.wqotw.org/quote.php?date=2010-01-26 ==================== ===================================== HEALTH UPDATE & PRAYER REQUEST FOR CHIP STAM, CANCER PATIENT www.carlstam.org/stemcelldrive ===================================== July 4 Hospital Update Dear friends and family, Thanks for keeping us in your prayers. There is a longer update (June 25) with pictures of the infusion day at www.caringbridge.org/visit/carlstam. JULY 4 — DAY TWENTY IN THE HOSPITAL The infusion with my brother's stem cells was on Thursday, June 24. Everything seems to be going exactly the way the doctors want them to go. My daily blood tests reveal that my body is not producing regular blood levels (white cells 0.0 for several days in a row), but that is exactly what they expect to see. They look to about July 8 as the day when Billy's stem cells will be grafted to my bone marrow. So these next several days are crucial. To be honest, I have felt really lousy the last ten days or so. I have no pain, but nothing tastes good, and I am struggling (not always winning) in the nausea department. I have an Olympic version the YUCKS. My job is to rest. Wimbledon and the World Cup have been helpful. Thanks to all for praying for us. These next several days are CRUCIAL to my healing process. God is sufficient. Chip www.caringbridge.org/visit/carlstam =========================== WORSHIP QUOTE OF THE WEEK: To subscribe, unsubscribe, or view a complete index of worship quotes, please visit http://www.wqotw.org. =========================== |