Scripture and the Historic, Where Do They Exist in Current Worship Trends?

As many of you know, I had the chance of a lifetime to study with Robert Webber in my doctoral program before he passed away.  He was a brilliant intellectual filled with God’s spirit and he inspired so many to expand and explore.

Since Bob’s passing, the Institute has begun publishing a weekly quote from some of his books.  Like most great teachers, leaders, and writers, Bob was really passionate about only a handful of ideas or “theologies.”  He just spent years and years retooling, restating, and representing those ideas.

This week’s quote was one of his core ideas.  I want to pass it on to you today.  It is a simple ideology, but one that current worship leaders, planners, and pastors need to think about.

“One of the major reasons why the church has fallen prey to a cultural accommodation is that it has become disconnected from its roots in Scripture, in the ancient church and in its heritage through the centuries. . . . If it is true that the road to the future lies in the past, it is also true that when the past has been lost or neglected there is no certain future. . . . When the past is lost, as it now is in our Western world, there is nothing left to focus on except the self.”

Robert E. Webber, Who Gets to Narrate the World? Contending for the Christian Story in an Age of Rivals.(Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 2008), 16-17.

As I look at the current trends in congregational  worship across America, I see a true decline in the role of Scripture.  In most cases, in Evangelical corporate worship, the use of Scripture has been reduced to proof text some life skills message the pastor is preaching.  Very seldom do we hear long passages of Scripture being read out loud by the congregation, and if longer passages are read, it seems that the congregation is board.

In addition, I often get the opportunity to teach workshops in conferences and seminars.  Some of the topics I am asked to address are creative worship planning and choosing music for worship.  One of the first questions I ask the class is, “What are the issues that influence the music selection process for worship?”  The students will list all kinds of real issues that influence their process, but almost never is the Bible mentioned as a foundational element or influence.

We have become trend conscience in the church.  I agree with the use all resources to illuminate the message of the Gospel of Jesus.  However, there is a rich resource of not only biblical influence but also the historical experience of the church that we should not neglect.

Is the future of the church unclear?  As I have been reading the book of Acts again over the past several days, I have been reminded of the powerful nature of the story of Christ as it gets retold again and again in and through the lives of the disciples in the narrative.  While there are supernatural things happening all in the book of Acts, the disciples never neglect the opportunity to present to Gospel and ask the question, “Do you want to know this Jesus?”

My question to you today is, “When is the last time you asked this question?”  The future growth of the church depends on this ancient method of evangelism.  Our cool technological presentations are not the answer for the world.  Jesus Christ is the answer.  Nothing will ever substitute for relationship building, and asking the straight forward questions.  Our technology should enhance our relationships, not replace the effort it takes to live in community and express a real live version of the resurrection life.

Just a few thoughts to get us started this week.