1. Bruce Harding begins with the not-so-subtle question, “So what
the hell is happening in worship today?”
Not a happy camper. His verdict: “We
have become passive consumers of music and this passivity is affecting our
congregational song.” He attributes such
change to recent worship trends, as well.
Without pronouncing judgment, where have you noticed or
experienced the greatest changes to our worship and music over the past two
decades? What has been the goal of these
changes and for whom were they made?
2. Harding claims
that the cultural battles between traditional and contemporary worship voices are
irrelevant…that “the only essential instrument for congregational song is the
human voice.” I agree with his statement
that, “Duty quickly turns to delight when a sense of accomplishment and
ownership over congregational song prevail…in which the communal voice is at
the heart and soul of worship.”
Can you provide examples of this from your own range of worship
experiences over your lifetime?
3. On the one hand,
Harding affirms that, “It is imperative that we remember there is nothing wrong with our tradition.” On the other hand, he affirms that “to simply
dwell in the past will suck the life out of a worshipping community…we must
also always be ready to ‘sing a new song.’
“The important thing is to choose well, to look for music
with depth and rich metaphor, and to lead it sensitively and with awareness of
the power music has to take us to a deeper place.”
What is your sense of balance between old & new
music/worship expressions? What is the
appropriate balance between personal preference and diversity for the sake of
outreach?
4. “Increasingly, we
are also inviting the song of our sisters/brothers from around the world into
our sanctuaries.” Our recent Lenten
mid-week services focused on ELCA missionaries around the globe, including
their diverse worship and music.
How has such exposure to different cultures expanded your appreciation
for the Spirit’s activity? Do you have
any favorite ethnic music outside of our country?
5. What else did you
gain from this week’s reading? Where do
you feel most encouraged to explore new forms of music or worship?
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