Posted on 08/22/2005 6:26:33 PM PDT by sionnsar
As this piece points out, the churches where you are least likely to hear Scripture read during services are often those where the authority and teaching of Scripture are most emphasized, particularly evangelical churches. Strange, but true. And the writer’s experience is that even Anglican evangelical churches often read Scripture in their worship less.
My personal experience as one with a evangelical/fundamentalist background? My current REC church is the first of my church homes where Scripture is regularly read during services outside the context of the sermon.
I think this is one way is which evangelical-style worship impoverishes itself. As I’ve experienced first hand, there is a power to formally reading the raw word of God in worship. I'd much rather sit and listen to the reading of Scripture than sing one more “praise and worship” song. And Scripture reading is a prominent feature of Jewish and Christian worship through the centuries. Why cut oneself off from that?
Yes, I greatly value the role of Lector, of reading the Scripture lessons aloud during services.
My reading duties begin this Sunday.
Howabout we found the Church of the Holy Tares for these people. Anyone?
Hiya Hermann! Long time no see, how ya been?
As I said, I have been to scores of masses with scores of priests. Most of the time, their homily may be loosely based on the scripture, but it often, if not almost always, is not necessarily scriptural but rather their own opinion without any exegesis at all. Often it is an odd stretch to somehow fit that passage into what they wanted to talk about anyway, or about one of their favorite "causes". It is not much different than going into many of the apostate mainline protestant denominations and hearing a social sermon loosely based on a verse or two. (Of course there are always decent pastors in those also, but generally few and far between).
That doesn't mean I haven't heard a decent homily or two, but generally it isn't the case.
**That doesn't mean I haven't heard a decent homily or two, but generally it isn't the case.**
Glad that some came through. Maybe that is the percentage for ALL pastors!
I am seeking to have more Scripture in our services, not less. We seek to sing, read, pray and preach Scripture.
Umm.. not in several denonimations. It would much higher than the less than 5% or so that I have seen in the RCC. It just doesn't seem to be set up that way. But maybe if you are talking all denominations and congregations, that may be the case. Sad to say.
Yup, that's the first sign of being seeker sensitive.
An interesting part of all this is that the inner city churches are moving out of the downtown areas, where members have to step over drunks sleeping on sidewalks, and the faint whiff of urine might be noticed by the back door. These churches are fleeing to enclaves in the suburbs where they erect churches that are nondescript cubes where the worship space doubles as a gym, espresso bars and fast food restaurants line the entry way. There are fleets of golf carts that shuttle folks from the parking lots to the entrance so they don't even have to walk a few feet in any weather that might be uncomfortable.
Hymns have been replaced with mindless chants and electronic music and drums drown out the chants.
Sin is now bad choices, and God really just wants to be our friend, he is portrayed as a whining teenage girlfriend rather than the King of the universe.
The very culture that modern evangelicals decry has been brought into "the worship center" in an effort to be seeker sensitive leaves seeker that might wander in scratching their heads, church looks just like any other self-help program in America.
If you think all of this is bad enough, here are the worship "venues" of a large, rather well known seeker sensitive church found in California: (link available on request)
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Main Service is our venue for those looking for a (brand x) style of praise and worship with a full band. Praise is our venue for those who prefer to spend a little longer singing songs and features the (brand x) Gospel Choir. Praise! Meets in Venue Tent 3.
OverDrive is our venue featuring a rock 'n roll music style. This venue is for those that like their worship loud. OverDrive meets in Venue Tent 2
Ohana Come for the worship... Stay for the sounds of the islands. Experience hospitality and hugs. Learn to worship through signing or hula. Room 404 near the Beach Cafe and island huts.
Elevation is our venue for all singles. The Saturday night service at 6:30pm is projected through a live video link in Venue Tent 2. You'll get the same great message along with live music.
Passion Join us for a time of expressive worship and heartfelt praise. The look and feel is younger than our main service and more intimate.
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An there are those on this board, who might appear at any minute and accuse me of being jealous because these churches are "successful."
I took the liberty of offering a prayer up to your daughter and her family that they will see what they are doing.
But many fewer people hear it.
At mass the priest is supposed to give a short homily explaining or exounding upon the meaning of the readings "old testament selection," epsitle, and gospel, and showing how they are related to one another. As the reading are often out of context, this is necessary.
Yeah I've heard some of those stories. Abominable what the supposed 'shepherds' will sink to in being seeker friendly.
Now THAT would be cool! Except it would take three golf carts just for my family ...
Few hear it because their shepherd is not capable of understanding himself!
Like the secret to a healthy marriage is Victoria's Secret? A tall, well-dressed, smarmy fella from Houston said that not too long ago. :-)
Never better!
So what do you think of Christ's Apostolic Church of the Holy Tares?
You've just described the official liturgy of the Catholic Church.
That is a very common message.
Most "Christian" marital help type courses, books, pamphlets, etc. that I've seen emphasize living in the flesh, encouraging couples to make sure they go out frequently for "dates", have a lot of sex, buy "sexy" lingerie frequently (one I saw reccomended going to a Victoria's Secret type sex shop once per month for new sexy clothes) and even sex toys!
Lost in the message and the practicality of this lifestyle is the raising of children. Well, not to worry of course, that is what birth control is for!
With this lifestyle, its no wonder that the divorce level of these people is so high.
No, I meant that we should start calling these types by that name, rather than pretending they are evengelical, fundementalist, or Christian.
The best part is, they probably won't even catch the allusion.
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