Pastor Gwyneth attended this year's bishop's meeting for the Tri State District. This served as a time for clergy to hear from the bishop about issues in the conference, and all were encouraged to ask questions. The host site, St. John's UMC in Dover was very hospitable, with greeters standing outside to greet and direct folks as they arrived, and then hosted a wonderful dinner. After dinner, the bishop presented ideas on the topic of "inspiring worship" which was open to both clergy and laity. There will be some more detailed seminars to follow, but this was intended just to wet the appetite!
Some of the ideas Bishop Weaver presented
"Inspired" means we have encountered God. Inspiring worship is like inhaling air which gives us life. Inspiring also leads to ... expiring. You go to the edge of dying to share the life-giving breath with someone else. Didn't someone once say something about finding your life by losing it? Inspiring worship leads naturally to vital mission.
Where have you experienced the presence of God? Ideas came from various clergy and lay folks such as "in a concert" or "at the hospital" or "on the beach" and yes, "in the Church Sanctuary." Weaver reminded us that even in the life of Jesus, the typical encounter with God was in the city, on boats, in storms, on mountain tops. Very rarely is Jesus in the Temple. Rather he is where the people are. How can we as a church bring worship to "where the people are?"
We were also asked what time it was when we have experienced the presence of God. And what were we wearing (clothing) when we encountered God? Folks listed jeans, shorts, bathing suits and fishing best! The question then remains for church services, do we need to insist on Sunday morning as the only "sacred hour" and whether our "dressing up" for church necessary to encounter God? Our dress may even convey a message to those who have not yet met Jesus that church is only for "good" people so could actually cause us to be unwelcoming.
In the Natural Church Development surveys being done by many United Methodist Churches to assess their health in various areas, the bottom two for most churches are "Passionate Spirituality" and "Inspiring Worship." This is the exact opposite of our heritage from John Wesley whose whole Methodist movement began with passionate experience.
Bishop Weaver closed with eight principles, and asked us to select one to work on. Which would you pick?
1. Worship needs to authentic, not canned.
2. We need to be clear about the purpose of worship to facilitate an encounter with God (and this doesn't have to happen in the Sanctuary).
3. Bring variety. Don't just plug in different hymns and Scriptures each week to the same old bulletin. And use multiple worship services as much as possible as means for growth and meeting different needs and styles.
4. Bring creativity. Think creatively how to reach folks and be willing to let go of some of our traditions.
5. Use the senses in worship design. Use creative ways for folks to experience sight, smell, taste, touch. Use drama and other means of telling the Scripture in unique ways.
6. Use both planning and spontaneity. Plan and prepare, but be open for embracing opportunities within worship.
7. Use a team of laity with the pastor to design worship and evaluate worship with feedback from the congregation.
8. Strive for excellence. Give your best to the Master.
