Summary: What are the core convictions that underlie the worship of your congregation? Can you name them? Can your congregation articulate them? Without core convictions worship drifts; and changes in worship, even well intended changes, will have no real foundation and will not easily be explained or accepted. Today’s blog will help you think through your core convictions about worship. Your comments are welcome.
Worship is at the heart of the life of any congregation and it is the one weekly event that draws the entire congregation together. Indeed, it is the one part of church life that you would expect people to understand. And yet every time I have asked people in a congregation to tell me what convictions shape their worship there is an awkward silence. It is though I have asked a question that is incredibly difficult to answer.
I suspect one of the main reasons people can’t state their core convictions about worship easily is because we are much better “doing” worship than “reflecting” on it, at least at the congregational level. We prefer, or have been persuaded, to leave such reflections to the “professionals” – to the clergy and academics.
However, I believe one of the reasons that even the most minor change in worship, or a more significant change in a time of worship renewal, is so controversial and can lead into “worship wars” is because we do not have a ready list of core convictions at the congregational level through which we can examine, discuss and filter any suggested change. There are no core convictions to test your presuppositions about worship, your fundamental beliefs.
So what are core convictions? The word “core” simply means essential, central, fundamental, basic, primary or underlying. It suggests those things that are the very heart of what worship is, or at least what you believe worship is. The word “convictions” means beliefs, principles, opinions, persuasions or views. So your core convictions about worship will be a statement of those things that are your fundamental beliefs about worship.
In 2007, on the tenth anniversary of the Calvin Institute of Christian Worship, the Institute identified ten core principles and practices about vital Christian worship and stated this about them:
The ten core convictions about Christian worship stated by the Calvin Institute of Christian Worship are that:
Christian worship is immeasurable enriched by:
1. a vivid awareness of the beauty, majesty, mystery, and holiness of the triune God.
2. the full, conscious, active participation of all worshippers, as a fully intergenerational community.
3. deep engagement with scripture.
4. joyful and solemn celebrations of baptism and the Lord’s Supper.
5. an open and discerning approach to culture.
6. disciplined creativity in the arts.
7. collaboration with all other congregational ministries.
8. warm Christ-centered hospitality for all people.
9. intentional integration between worship and all of life.
10.collaborative planning and evaluation.
For the full text of these core convictions, related scripture texts, discussion questions and resources for each of these convictions you should check out https://worship.calvin.edu/resources/resource-library/collaborative-planning-and-evaluation/.
Now you may, or may not, embrace all of these core convictions, or you may use different language to describe them, but the point is that if you don’t know what your convictions are about worship you won’t have any anchors to hold you steadfast and sure when conflict breaks out over worship (and it will) or when changes in worship are made (and they will be because worship is never static, even if we think it is).
I recently asked the worship team in my congregation what their core convictions were about worship. I purposely did not suggest what they should be because if I did they would be my personal convictions not theirs. We are still processing the question but here is the initial list they came up with. Again, you may agree with some or it, or disagree with some of it, but the point is that this was an honest attempt to state what our congregation believes worship is or should be when it is experienced in our local church. They are listed in no particular order.
· God, the Father, Son and Holy Spirit, is the object of our worship.
· Worship must recognize who God is.
· Worship must be biblical (rooted in Scripture).
· Worship includes praise and music.
· Worship requires participation (it is not passive).
· God deserves joyful worship and quiet reflection.
· God can be worshipped anywhere at any time.
· Worship is a dialogue (both listening and speaking to God).
· Worship should be integrated although it is divided into parts.
· Worship is both a personal and a communal offering to God.
· Worship creates space where we can encounter God.
· Worship is to be a constant theme of our personal lives and not just restricted to public worship.
· Faith is an important part of the worship experience.
· Worship involves heart, mind, body and soul.
· Worship must be inclusive.
· Children and youth are very much part of the worshipping community.
Here’s what I suggest you do to clarify your core convictions about worship.
Set some time aside and write down your own personal core convictions about worship.
The next time your church leaders meet (elders, board, staff, musicians, choir) give them 15 minutes and ask them to write down their core convictions about worship.
Then examine them. Are you all on the same page? If not, why not? What experiences – in life or church or culture – have influenced these core convictions about worship? Which ones are negotiable, non negotiable? What can you do to try to get on the same page?
Make no mistake. This is hard work. But it is also worshipful work. I’d love you have your feedback once you’ve done it.
