Roger, over and out
...In preparation for the seminar, we were all asked to submit the top three questions churches should be asking regarding youth and worship, and our top three Proverbs that should ground the church’s work in this area (for some strange reason I submitted four). Attendees were then to work at tables to add to, subtract from, and refine our suggestions, the results of which will be posted at some point on the Symposium website.
I thought I’d pass on my questions and Proverbs. Perhaps they’ll spark some thought and discussion in your church. As you will see, most of them grow out of my concern for fostering a culturally captive understanding of the faith by segregating the full Body of Christ apart from one another in worship.
My questions:
1. What must we do to facilitate intergenerational understanding that results in a willingness to gracefully participate together in corporate worship that is diverse (not catering exclusively to one generational demographic) and meaningful?
2. What must we do to enable the emerging generations to experience the wonder and awe of doing life together (both give and take) while integrated into the full Body of Christ, particularly in the context of corporate worship?
3. What must we do to enable meaningful intergenerational interaction and deep long-term mentoring relationships that are initiated by adults with youth in a manner that facilitates fully integrated (all of life) spiritual growth and formation?
My Proverbs:
1. Those who age-segregate worship, spoil the child.
2. To understand “worship” as merely singing or one hour of corporate gathering, is to not understand worship at all.
3. The one who acts justly, loves mercy, and walks humbly before God is a true worshipper, integrating faith into all of life.
4. God is the audience in worship. Not me.
4 comments:
I thought I’d pass on my questions and Proverbs. Perhaps they’ll spark some thought and discussion in your church. As you will see, most of them grow out of my concern for fostering a culturally [captive] understanding of the faith by segregating the full Body of Christ apart from one another in worship.
Consider using a less [restricted] word
I'll post more on this one latter.
Those are very thoughtful and important questions and the answers depends on the cooperate needs of your group. I would like to listen to any suggestions put forth by those in the group who will best answer them. I am not going to attempt a guess. Not knowing the needs of the particular multi-generational assembly.
It is evident by the question that you are thinking long term and making plans to draw on the wisdom of the elder ones.
May I say, healthy growth is the result of forward thinking and planning. Nothing should be done in secret and all those wise and talented people should be pooled and channeled to where they are most needed and comfortable. There will of course be opportunities for those who are young and able to step outside of their comfort zone, push the edge of the envelope and develop new strengths and talents while drawing on those of the past. Under the watchful eyes and authority of the elders. Do not leave them outside the loop as they are those who will answer for the well being of those in your group.
Wow, those questions read like a college level final exam!
I don't have a nice tidy answer, but I do think that appreciating diversity of worship between different denominations, not just age groups, is equally as important.
I appreciate the importance of what the question is highlighting about keeping youth engaged in worship that may not suite their tastes, a lot of which I think comes with maturity. However, in many cases we're trying to put the cart before the horse if we expect youth to appreciate a diverse corporate worship setting when so many adults can't even do that without grumbling and complaining!
I think, and you know me, I could be wrong but I think that the author is asking the adults "in charge" to do something that will work. If those "in charge" do not adapt then generational groups will continue to polarize instead of come together. Maybe the first place for adults to learn about youth and worship is to go to events like Winterfest where worship is geared more toward the interests of youth. Adults who attend Winterfest get to experience what it is like to worship with youth where their needs are considered. There is nothing like it in my opinion and it is a powerfully beautiful worship time. But only doing things same ole, same ole in "real church" will never motivate youth to desire to integrate with adults. The youth need to have input and be valued for their preferences.
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