THEME:
Worship History – drawing from the past and applying to the present by retelling the grand Story in which God is the central figure.
OVERVIEW:
Lifting acts of worship with sacramental expressions, such as art, music, communion, baptism, prayer, and scripture in your church reclaim the memories of words, acts, and promises of God. How can your church community retell and remember the importance of hope, love, and justice so that it resonates as the center of the universe in which God is the central figure in the grand Story?
Worship history is the “language” of surrender, allegiance, and loyalty. We look into the past to have a better sense of our capacity, a better understanding of worshippers, and learning who we are becoming.
There are four languages of worship (languages of the soul): time & space, prayer and scripture reading, symbolic actions that are sacramental, and art & music. Lifting out these essential themes helps us enrich our presence, gain insight into future, and develop missionally in our church, in the world, and within us for our current and emerging worship experience.
Time and space are patterns and locations throughout history that are focused on worship. Prayer and scripture are on the main stage of worship history regarding gatherings, communing, and in His truth. Symbolic actions such as baptism and the Eucharist are integral part of worship history. Lastly, art and music have served a vital role in creating a place (thin veil where heaven and earth touch) where God can speak with His people and we can celebrate in the circular dance of what has, is, and will be done in God’s Kingdom.
This PowerPoint presentation could be used as an educational tool and serve as a catalyst for discussion for those who serve in worship committees at church and perhaps a study group that is being led to develop members’ gifts and talents. Therefore, you will need a computer, PowerPoint software, and some type of projection system. You may also consider members to download the file to stream over the Internet for learning and future discussion opportunities.
In Christ we serve.
5
In a word…fantastic! You really captured the essence of the Essentials in Worship History class. I really loved the imagery you used to support the ideas. I especially liked how there were photos of the ancient and the new. For example, to show the spaces where we worship you used a picture of both a cathedral and a gymnasium.
Wow, thanks Dawn. Hope you had wonderful Christmas with family, church, and friends.
Great job, as always, Garth.
This is a great PowerPoint. Very tastefully done, and great summary of the course. Would like to use it sometime for teaching purposes, if you would allow!
Thanks Grant. Go for it, I would be honored. In Christ we serve. Garth.