I really didn't mean to open a can of worms. It wasn't my intention to disparage anyone's way of worship, actually, in the last few years I've gotten more comfortable with different ways of worship. After I wrote the post about my hymnal I started to think about why I had written it. I realized this: I feel comfortable with "5/15." Its what I grew up with and I get a warm fuzzy when I think about it. It reminds me of my father's ministry and that's a good memory for me.
Jim, in a note, was right, too. We shouldn't put too much stock in something was written my men.
As I reread the posts I realized that what I said sounded awfully harsh, particularly about the "Sunday morning camp fires." Heaven knows, I had more then a few serious spiritual-knocks-about-the-head at camp fires my four summers at Lone Star. I learned about the power of a simple song that has powerful meaning, but sometimes, sometimes that doesn't work for me-- sometimes I need a good old fashioned full boar organ filled hymn.
3 comments:
Hey Karl,
I didn't think you opened "a can of worms." I thought you stated very nicely that you just liked the more traditional worship style. Which I wish more people would just say....Instead they make claims about how Contemporary Worship is not from God and Crap like that. Peace Brother.
Karl, I did the camp music scene in college and at Camp Lone Star. There were times when it really sizzled and I felt sky-high. However, the high doesn't often last and most "worship lite" lacks enough substance to sustain me through trying times.
My first TLH was a gift on my sixth birthday (1957); my folks figured that I could read well enough that I could get some real use out of it.
Don't worry if you touched some nerves: We need ritual to help us learn and grow in the Faith. The youth learn by repetition and I'd not have been ready for TLH if I hadn't heard it regularly through the years. Similarly, the elderly thrive when, as sight or hearing fails, memory continues to allow participation in the service.
Indeed, it seems that those who push the hardest for constant change are the spoiled children of the Baby Boom. What will my generation do as age takes its toll on us and we cannot experience the solid Rock through by way of the historic Liturgy presented in familiar forms?
Xrysostom+
I am not quite sure how to respond to this. Comments like "Worship lite" is what will really drive people to the edge. "We need ritual to help us learn and grow in our faith." What does that mean? That is as narrow as the person that says, "You have to hold your hands up in the air and speak in tongues if you really are worshiping." The churches based on ritual are really reaching out to others aren't they? Ritual can be just as bad as it can be good. When people are reciting the creed without ever thinking about the meaning it can be dangerous. That isn't all people, but there are just as many people that go through the motions as don't. If we look at our own Synod, why are 90% of the churches dead, dying or dormat? Because ritual has over ridden God's Word. We grow in our faith when we are challeneged to share it and live it. We worship God as we walk daily in our lives. Not in the pages of a book on Sunday morning. There is a place for repitition, but it is not found soley in the binding of TLH. It can be found in many shapes and forms as long as it coincides with God's Word. It is not the high fealt during contemporary worship that should be embraced. It is the high fealt when you see people worshiping together with Joy that comes from their heart because God is working in them. It is an emotion, it is not faith. An emotion given to us by God and an emotion which can be used. As my faith grows it brings out several emotions, hurt, anger, joy, fear, and contentment. They all can be used for God for teaching and growing. That can happen when people are using TLH or a worship service put together by youth who want to give praise to God.
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