Retreat #2 Tools Tab 73 Worship as Community Missional Practice Introduction The Gospel taught by Jesus was about re-defining our focus. So our worship should provide the space for us to do just that. A presenter on worship once suggested true worship is a dangerous and subversive act. She went on to share how true worship compels participants to re-orient their lives to encounter God in the unfamiliar. When that happens, we can no longer go through the motions of worship but are challenged to participate in the ongoing discovery of the power of the Good News all around us. We are then challenged to embody this Good News in communities that reflect the coming Kingdom of God. Worship is not only about location but it is about authentic relationships with God, one another and our neighbors. What cultivates true worship is not the beauty of the building or the aesthetics of the location, but the fact that each person has a place. People sit in the same pew or space Sunday after Sunday, not because it is assigned to them, but because in the uncertainty of life, they desire to have a place where some security and consistency is found, where they belong, where they are accepted, and where they are reminded that God is present with them. A local pastor while visiting with an elderly person about why she sat in the same pew each week, discovered that coming to church each week and sitting in the same place served as a reminder that she was secure in God. People worship God because they belong and they are a part of the church. They worship there because a crucial part of their own life story is written in the walls of the church. They have shared in significant experiences of life like marriage and blessings, and baptisms. They have grieved as they buried their dead and the familiar helps ground them when most feel lost in unfamiliar space. For many, the church is more than a building, it is a history book, that reminds them of God's activity within their lives and their place as the body of Christ. Craig Dykstra and Dorothy Bass, in the first chapter of the book Practicing our Faith say, Christian practices are things Christian people do together over time in response to and in the light of God s active presence for the life of the world. (pg.5) Practicing our faith is in response to God s activity in the world and in our lives.
Retreat #2 Tools Tab 74 Missional Worship is about reentering God s unfolding story in the context of our personal and congregational story and sending us out to live into that unfolding story with our neighbors. In other words, we write the story not heard before in partnership with one another and God. The Samaritan woman, who enters into a simple conversation with Jesus and begins to develop a relationship with him, understands this: worship is about relationships. Something profound is revealed in their exchange and she perceives that he is the coming Messiah. As a result of this transformative relationship she is compelled to share what she s experienced with others. It is in her everyday walk to the well for water that she experiences true worship. It will change her life forever and she can do nothing else but share her encounter with others. In this encounter at the well we have all the elements of missional worship. Worship is missional when it is centered in Christ, grounded in scripture and leads us into deeper relationships with God, one another, and our neighbors. Worship in congregational life is a communal practice that occurs on a weekly basis. For many it has become the only time we gather in our buildings and the primary focus of our energy. In a missional context we are invited to explore how worship is a daily missional practice and how all our worship is about relationships and mutual interaction. Worship is not an escape from life but it is a constant call to reorient ourselves to where God is moving. It is a call to a new awakening and awareness of what is going on around us. It is a call to then challenge cultural, religious, and political systems where there is injustice, exploitation, and brokenness. In a world of constant change we long for stability. We are tempted at times to keep God in a well defined box and then respond based on our own carefully defined notions about how God works in our lives The same can be said about worship; in some ways we have gradually behaved ourselves into a well defined box about what constitutes legitimate worship. As a result many congregations are locked into one particular form of worship that fails to connect with the diversity of ways people could encounter God in worship (see Planning For Encounter in Worship for help in planning worship). We are also tempted at times to use the entire worship outline suggested in the Worship Resource Book instead of intentionally discerning and then planning a worship experience. We often exhaust ourselves trying to plan and conduct weekly worship experiences that are not consistent with the gifts of our people or how God may be calling us to enter into a deeper relational experience. It is time we seriously reconsider how we are approaching and planning worship! It is also important to recognize that worship does not require preaching as the only medium for conveying the living Word. However, our efforts in worship planning normally assume preaching is the central element of the service outline. There are many ways the living Word can be conveyed through scripture, sharing of
Retreat #2 Tools Tab 75 testimony, music, nature, video, drama, prayer, dance, and many other ways. If congregations do not provide preaching as a central element of the worship service that does not mean congregations have failed in worship. This is especially important if congregations do not have people gifted in preaching; it s more of a harm to have poorly presented or theologically unsound sermons than to identify alternative ways to convey the message. Missional worship is about creating opportunities to encounter God in relationship with others not adhere to rigid forms of worship. It is about creating an environment of expectation that God is welcoming us, shaping us, and sending us. If we are open to the leadings of the Spirit it will not be the same experience every time. If we are open to how God is seeking to shape us, it will not look the same each time we gather in community for worship. If mission begins with encounter and it is about relationships, we are called to experiment with elements that lead us into deeper relationships with God, one another and our neighbors. This will require us to move beyond the traditional hymn, prayer, sermon, and hymn prayer format (see Sample Missional Worship Outlines ). Every Pastor Leadership Team should ask two essential questions with respect to missional worship is: 1. How do we intentionally plan worship experiences that are centered in Christ, grounded in scripture, and lead us into deeper and new relationships with God, one another and our neighbors? 2. How do we intentionally plan worship experiences that uphold the gifts of our priesthood and members? Missional Worship and Diversity Corinne Ware has written a text that helps us understand the different ways people encounter God. Her book, Discover Your Spiritual Type, helps identify four types of spirituality: Head, Heart, Mystic, Social Action. It is equally important to consider both the gifts of those sharing in worship and the ways worship participants specifically encounter God. It is highly recommended that the Pastor Leadership Team and congregation read and discuss Spirituality Types. Included in the LCM Field Guide under the Tools Tab you will find Planning For Encounter in Worship. This resource will twill be helpful in planning worship experiences that connect with diversity of worship preferences you have in your congregation. Planning worship experiences week after week is part of the gift of hospitality. It is about how we welcome one another; gather in expectation that we are in God s presence and then how we are sent to live Christ s mission in our neighborhoods and everyday life. As the Pastor Leadership team considers the best way to approach missional worship planning, consider the following questions:
Retreat #2 Tools Tab 76 1. How can the PLT model missional worship for the congregation? (Consider planning an experience once a month for the congregation) 2. How can missional practices be included in each experience of worship? Everything. That s what is at stake in worship. The urgent, indeed troubling, message of Scripture is that everything that matters is at stake in worship. Worship names what matters most: the way human beings are created to reflect God s glory by embodying God s character in lives that seek righteousness and do justice. Worship turns out to be the dangerous act of waking up to God and to the purposes of God in the world, and then living lives that actually show it. (Mark Labberton, The Dangerous Act of Worship: Living God s Call to Justice) It is not about a moment of worship on a Sunday but moments of worship through all our days. As such, missional worship is about active participation in all these relationships: God, one another and our neighbor for the sake of our world.
Retreat #2 Tools Tab 77 Sample Missional Worship Outlines Remember, missional worship is centered in Christ, grounded in Scripture, and leads us into deeper and new relationships with God, one another, and our neighbor. There are many ways we can incorporate these principles into worship. The following sample outlines are just a few examples to stimulate your thinking. Missional Worship Outline #1: Dwelling in the Word Practice Open with Sharing of Joys, Concern, and Prayer Gathering Song: HS 58 Now in this Moment (consider having someone read the words prior to the congregation singing the words. Or ask someone to share a testimony or thoughts on how this hymn calls them into mission) Disciples Generous Response Dwelling in the Word Scripture and Group Sharing (see Twelve Months of Dwelling in the Word in the Practices section of your LCM Binder. Read the scripture aloud and then ask the congregation to get into groups of 3 or 4 persons to share.) Brief Challenge or Reflection (based on Dwelling in the Word. This can be as simple as a statement that is prepared in advance, a poem, or the words of a hymn or song that leads us into mission.) Prayer of Sending Forth (Consider reciting the Lord s Prayer together) Missional Worship Outline #2: Dwelling in Song Texts Practice Open with Sharing of Joys and Concerns Prayer of Thankfulness and Petition Dwelling in Song Texts (pick one hymn and apply the Dwelling in the Word practice to the hymn text. A suggested hymn would be HS 157 My Life Flows on in Endless Song) Disciples Generous Response Singing of the Song Text Prayer of Sending Forth Note: To enhance preparation for the service consider the following: Consider providing words to a hymn you want the congregation to pray and focus on for the coming week. You may want to sing the hymn together and then read it as a congregation much like a Dwelling in the Word format. Then invite folks to take the words of the song with them and recite them, or sing them, or pray them several times a day. Ask them to make note of different insights they receive through the week and ways they experience the hymn as worship in their daily life. Consider having one person designated to provide a closing challenge as part of the worship.
Retreat #2 Tools Tab 78 Missional Worship Outline #3: Walking the Neighborhood Practice Open with Sharing of Joys, Sorrows, Concerns Share in Song Come Holy Spirit Come Prayer of Thanksgiving and Petition Walking the Neighborhood Practice (Provide basic instructions to ground everyone in the practice. See Walking the Neighborhood Practice behind the Practices Tab in your LCM Binder. Some from the congregation will remain in the congregation and share in prayer and 1 Corinthians 9:19-23 from The Message Bible while others will go out in pairs in the surrounding neighborhoods.) Disciples Generous Response Gathering and Sharing in Prayer (everyone will gather back 10 minutes before the service closes a prayer will be offered for the continued movement of the Spirit in the neighborhoods and the openness of the congregation to new opportunities for relationships and ministry) Note: Next week include some time for a few people to share their experience walking the neighborhood and remaining in the congregation in prayer and scripture conversation. Additional Missional Worship Ideas include: Share a selection of pictures on slides that depict nature, people expressing the first three mission initiatives, or other pictures that lead the congregation into reflection about Christ s message and mission. The pictures will be in place of the sermon and based on their careful selection will tell a story. Then provide an opportunity for a few to share their reflections on the pictures and how they led them into a deeper understanding of Christ s message and mission. Ask two individuals to share their testimonies or reflections based on a Dwelling in the Word or a hymn text. This could take the place of a sermon/message or be in addition to a short challenge provided on a particular text. Consider developing a Sharing in the Round experience for Sunday morning using breads, crackers etc. that could take place in the fellowship hall or sanctuary depending on the ability to arrange tables etc. Begin by some questions that encourage meaningful conversation about what is occurring in the lives of individuals and families. Then provide a Dwelling in the Word scripture with focus questions for table conversation. End with some large group sharing on the scripture, a closing song, and a prayer. Make sure each person in the congregation has a journal. Provide a passage of scripture for everyone to use as a focus scripture for the coming week. It might be a passage you use for Dwelling in the Word. Ask people to write some entries in their journal of how they experienced the passage as they went about their daily life during the week. When you come together for worship, consider using a song or two that helps lead people into worship, share joys and concerns, and then share in reading of the passage of scripture for the week s focus. Allow space for the words to move into the people s lives and then ask, How did you encounter this passage this week? Another question might be, Where did you experience God s disruptive grace as you prayed and lived this passage?
Retreat #2 Tools Tab 79 It s also helpful to ask, As you prayed and lived this passage, what questions surfaced for you and for our experience today? You can then close with a re-reading of the passage and an invitation to generosity (Disciples Generous Response) and a prayer for new opportunities to encounter God, one another and our neighbors in the coming week. Close by singing verses 1 and 5 from Sing for Peace #15. Consider developing a service around Psalms of Praise written by the congregation. Begin by sharing this statement and experience: St. Augustine suggests that praising God is a deeply intellectual and spiritual act. It is not uncontrolled emotions but a deep appreciation for how we encounter God in the many facets of our experience. Let s spend a few minutes in this sacred space considering the depth and richness of creation; the beauty around us in relationships and purpose. Where are we sensing joy, hope, love, and peace? Also consider the difficulties and challenges that draw us together and closer to the one who seeks a relationship with us. Share in the reading of Psalm 139:1-18 then ask the congregation - What is your psalm of praise this morning? What words are on your heart this morning? Lets pause, reflect, and write words of praise we have this morning. After folks have an opportunity to write their psalms ask for those who are willing to share their psalms. This sharing takes the place of the sermon and becomes the message for the morning. You can then add other worship elements around this sharing to plan your worship experience.
Retreat #2 Tools Tab 80 Planning for Encounter in Worship Understanding Your Congregation s Spiritual Type We begin with one of our foundational principles Mission Begins with Encounter: God s nature is missional or outward moving. Our response begins and is formed by God s enduring love for us revealed in the life, ministry, death, resurrection, and continuing presence of Jesus Christ through the Holy Spirit. We encounter God, God s love, and God s mission in Christ through missional practices, in our relationships in community (congregations, small groups, and neighborhoods), in ministry with others, and in situations and places that don t yet reflect Christ s vision of the peaceable kingdom of God on earth. It is in our encounter with Christ that we increasingly see ourselves and others from a changed perspective (Doctrine and Covenants 164:5). We encounter God in many different ways and yet our worship experiences often reflect only one style of worship. Just like we all have different music preferences (classical, country, rock, etc.) so it is with worship. If encounter is foundational to mission then an important focus of the Pastor Leadership Team (PLT) is to develop an understanding of the various ways people encounter God and the implications for worship. When we are intentional in our planning we not only help people connect with God we deeply uphold the Worth of Persons, our Unity and Diversity, and experience together the Blessings of Community (see Sharing in Community of Christ 3 rd Ed.) Spiritual Types: An Introduction 3 We each have a unique blend of ways we encounter God. Corinne Ware has provided a helpful tool to assist individuals and congregations identify their spiritual types for planning worship. The Spiritualty Wheel identifies four basic spiritual types: Social Action Spirituality Visionary who is single minded, deeply focused. Tend to care less about organized religion. Courageous and sturdy idealism, take responsibility for change, have a passion for transforming the world. Prayer and theology must be coupled with action. Possible Dangers of this type include: tunnel vision, can only see their cause and relate to those who see their cause. Head Spirituality - Favors what we can see, touch, vividly imagine. Like study groups, focused on sermon content, planners. Daily life, after all, is the real world. Possible Dangers of this type include: may become too logical and dry. Everything must make sense and be rational. 3 For more information see pages 7 through 9 of this document.
Retreat #2 Tools Tab 81 Heart Spirituality - All heart like witnessing, testimonials, especially music. God is real - in the here and now. Possible dangers of this type include: my walk with God is closer than yours Mystic Spirituality - Hearing from God is very important. Union with the Holy is all about the journey. Renewal of the inner life. God is infinite. I am that I am makes sense. Possible dangers of this type include: retreat from reality and interaction with the world. Is there an ideal spiritual type? The answer is of course no. We are all different. It is helpful to stretch ourselves a bit and explore ways of encountering God that may seem unfamiliar or even a bit uncomfortable. The Spirituality Wheel helps us understand our comfort zone and identifies where we may need to consider challenging ourselves a bit. So why does this matter? If we are going to truly value one another we need to be aware of how individuals encounter God as we plan our worship experiences. With the Spirituality Wheel we can see both an individual picture and a congregational picture of the diversity of ways we encounter God. The Process The exercise below can be utilized for individuals and congregations. First, walk individuals through the exercise below so they can identify their spiritual type using the survey and spirituality wheel provided on pages 82 through 84. Second, Draw a Large Spirituality Wheel on newsprint for the congregation patterned after the graphic on page 85. Third, ask individuals to take their results and draw their spokes as described below on a Large Spiritualty Wheel. This will represent the congregation s dominant and various spiritual types. Fourth, discuss the following questions: o What does this information suggest about the different ways we encounter God? o How do our current forms of worship honor our diversity? o What changes might be appropriate to honor our diversity? At the end of this document you will find some questions for the PLT to consider as they plan and ask others to plan worship experiences.