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Jan
16
2012
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Posted 122 days ago ago by Doug Lawrence  4 Comments
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1 likes
  
Are our worship services
part of the so-called
“Redemption Narrative?”
I’ve always loved the term “redemption narrative,” most notably explored in The Shawshank Redemption, because it comprehensively describes what we’re about in “the church business.” We aid in the redemptive process as we understand it through Jesus Christ. Pulling people out of “the miry clay” is a large order and it requires a certain amount of thought and excellence.
Just to be clear, this is not one of those tirades I sometimes write. It’s just a warning about how things turn out when one starts to “settle for” rather than innovate “up to” potential. Church-lite vs. Church Light, if you will.
Dr. R. Albert Mohler, Jr., president of The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary says,
“The third great movement in the Christian metanarrative begins with the affirmation that God’s purpose from the beginning was to redeem a people through the blood of his Son—and that he does this in order to show the excellence of his name throughout eternity.”
Again, to be clear, this piece is not necessarily about the slipshod product being heaped on the American Church—it’s about the unmistakable miasma of talking about the life-changing gift of God’s grace while actually exercising less than adequate taste and judgement. Perhaps you have spotted it, as have I, in many churches during your travels.
What are some examples?
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Formulaic worship where everything is the same this week as it was last
- Pastors who believe in their heart of hearts that the most important thing that’s going to happen in any given service is their teaching
- Schmarmy (overly emotional, sentimental and gushy so as to induce major eye-rolling action in those of us with a modicum of good sense and self control. —Urban Dictionary) worship leaders who need equal teaching time with the pastor
- A single tune that runs on for 10 minutes, thus questionably filling a third of the 30 minute creative quota
- The absence of Scripture to reinforce the elements of the service
- The slick “Look What Our Church is Doing” video that doesn’t mention God’s intervention in seemingly impossible situations
Certainly there are more examples, but these are the crazy-makers for me and, I would imagine, you. At least I hope that’s true.
Here are some holdable values that could let us into the redemption narrative with integrity:
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Never decide what to do in this week’s service without prayer or within 10 minutes
Is it possible that the Gospel message of redemption is being treated like an “elevator pitch” in your church? Examine the evidence in weekly debriefs!
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Read more fiction! Figure out how to say things in refreshing new ways using well placed creative language.
Get rid of of “cliché church” in favor of engaging dialogue with your congregation and your Creator.
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Welcome conversation into your mix. Ask more questions. Follow a more Socratic model.
Too much of “church” consists of leaders telling “audiences” what to think and do, as if the people were incapable of thinking and deciding for themselves.
If every church in America had one surprising element in every worship hour, our churches might be full. The truth is, though, that people who have been to church have probably been to church, if you follow my drift. Surely God has more surprises for us than the average Chucky Cheese birthday celebration!
In Closing
Could this list get bigger? Absolutely! Look at your own church and its effectiveness and figure out ways to become part of the inventive, insightful, and richly narrative church. Become the John Stewart (with appropriate content and language) of the church world. Tell the truth, make people pay attention! Leave a comment below and tell me what you can add to my list.
 Doug Lawrence, internationally recognized speaker, author, and advisor, helps churches assess and improve their skillfulness in creating engaging worship experiences by utilizing his more than 35 years of "deep trench" worship leadership in prominent mainline churches. has been a consultant to church leaders for 35 years and is anxious to be helpful to you in leadership, musical, and staffing considerations. Or, if you wish, call 650.207.8240 for assessment information and scheduling.
© 2012 Creator Magazine All Rights Reserved
4 Comments
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Doug, as always, good insight. Keep it coming.
Reply
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Bob
121 days ago
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Thanks, Doug. I did enjoy your post. I'm not an Episcopalian; I'm a Baptist. But I do find a lot of resonance with the Anglican Church (and a lot of frustration in the Baptist Church.) Bob Webber ruined me. I went to his school. That's my disclaimer and the source of my earlier comment. Blessings!
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Doug, I agree with your observations and appreciate the creativity of your mind. Thanks for the challenge. But I don't think innovation in and of itself will change our paradigm into embracing the metanarrative of redemption. For most American evangelicals it is all about me. Throughout the 90's we sang, "I'm so glad you're in my life" (Rick Founds - "Lord I Lift Your Name on High"). Evangelicals preach, teach, and sing about people inviting God into thier lives. A more scriptural perpspective (and one that captures the "redemptive narrative" better) would be to sing, "I'm so glad I'm in Your life." Instead of us inviting God into our lives, God invites us into His life. Until we get that, no amount of creative innovation will helps us grasp the metanarrative. To me, it's just more "showtime." One path to grasping the "narrative of redemption" would be to innovate with historical liturgy - hymns, creeds and prayers that have been said and sung for centuries. Doing them in our worship helps us to understand that we are not alone in the modern evangelical church, but rather are part of a long train of God's people. Participating in the Church Year to some extent immerses worshippers into the Story. We celebrate birthdays, Mother's Day and Independence Day; why not Pentecost and Epiphany? Dare I suggest that we observe the Lord's Table every week? Talk about being Christo-centric and immersed into the story each week as we actively remember the Christ Event - the hingepoint of history, THE STORY, that we have been invited to be participants. Creative innovation is good. But it is not enough. By itself it is just another stab at satisfying consumer-worshippers. Those aren't the ones God is seeking. He is seeking those who will worship in spirit and in truth. The truth is found, not in my story so much, but by being immersed in God's story.
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Doug
121 days ago
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Thanks, Bob, for you insights! Very thoughtful. Not sure I agree with everything, but it wouldn't be a discussion if I did. :-) You might like me thoughts about Episcopalians at churchcentral.com,
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