Liturgical Renewal
I am neither equipped nor inclined to disagree with P. Andrew Sandlin's (a "low church catholic") criticism of the "high church" revival in the conservative reformed community. From what I can tell, Sandlin makes excellent points through and through.
I will also say that my (very limited) experience with high church presbyterianism (and conservative reformed/presbyterianism in general) may not be what may be imagined. One church featured guitars as the main musical instrument; another was set in a gymnasium. But both were definitely "high church."
The following is not a criticism or comment on what Sandlin wrote at all, but rather just a thought inspired by what he wrote(In other words, if I'm creating "straw men" here, I'm not suggesting that Sandlin endorses them):
I wonder if the real question is, "What is worship?" If it is primarily about offering praise to God, it would probably be treated one way; if it is primarily about receiving from God, it would probably go another.
What I personally appreciate about Presbyterian HC is that the structure of the service revolves around receiving from God; other from of HC seem to be offering praise in a set, well-regulated, routine way; whereas "low church," is more spontaneous, in one sense, yet also repititious (repeating the same praise chorus lines over and over, and over and over, and over and over, and over and over, and over and over, and over and over...)
God is our Father who wants to give us everything we need, and he is our King who died for his domain, but he is not an Emperor exacting tribute and adulation.
Perhaps worship, at its core, is not an "offering" to God our praises, but rather a "coming home" to our Father. The sanctuary - physically and in our hearts - is the "home" we come to and where we receive the Word from God. We have a God who gives, not receives; that is why we have a Savior more blessed than we. God wants us to to receive from him. So it seems to me that "worship" ought to be organized around receiving the Word of God, rather than around offering praise to God. Such is the pattern I've seen in HC Presbyterian churches. And I cherish it.
I will also say that my (very limited) experience with high church presbyterianism (and conservative reformed/presbyterianism in general) may not be what may be imagined. One church featured guitars as the main musical instrument; another was set in a gymnasium. But both were definitely "high church."
The following is not a criticism or comment on what Sandlin wrote at all, but rather just a thought inspired by what he wrote(In other words, if I'm creating "straw men" here, I'm not suggesting that Sandlin endorses them):
I wonder if the real question is, "What is worship?" If it is primarily about offering praise to God, it would probably be treated one way; if it is primarily about receiving from God, it would probably go another.
What I personally appreciate about Presbyterian HC is that the structure of the service revolves around receiving from God; other from of HC seem to be offering praise in a set, well-regulated, routine way; whereas "low church," is more spontaneous, in one sense, yet also repititious (repeating the same praise chorus lines over and over, and over and over, and over and over, and over and over, and over and over, and over and over...)
God is our Father who wants to give us everything we need, and he is our King who died for his domain, but he is not an Emperor exacting tribute and adulation.
Perhaps worship, at its core, is not an "offering" to God our praises, but rather a "coming home" to our Father. The sanctuary - physically and in our hearts - is the "home" we come to and where we receive the Word from God. We have a God who gives, not receives; that is why we have a Savior more blessed than we. God wants us to to receive from him. So it seems to me that "worship" ought to be organized around receiving the Word of God, rather than around offering praise to God. Such is the pattern I've seen in HC Presbyterian churches. And I cherish it.
posted by Unknown at 9:53 PM
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