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Good Shepherd Lutheran Church Today's Frontline Devotion February 9, 2008 You can’t tell a Christian by appearance |
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Frontline Devotion for Saturday, February 9, 2008 by Susan Hill
II Corinthians 6: 8b-10 We are treated as impostors, and yet are true; as unknown, and yet are well known; as dying, and see – we are alive; as punished, and yet not killed; as sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; as poor, yet making many rich; as having nothing, and yet possessing everything.
Has your church faced the dilemma of traditional vs contemporary worship? It’s reflective of cultural change – an attempt to make the church’s worship more directly representative of the everyday cultural experience of its members – and subsequently - to create a worship experience more in synch with day to day reality. For those who advocate for contemporary worship, the new worship format makes more sense than the traditional because the language and style are akin to what they hear and see today – not what the hierarchy established in another time and place. Some also claim a greater sense of freedom of self-expression within the contemporary worship setting. The hope is that greater self-expression in worship will bring one closer to a personal encounter with God and will lead to deeper faith. Church participation thus becomes more real, alive and in touch. Advocates claim contemporary methods will lead to more frequent participation in worship, greater devotion to God and the church, and a more generous open-heartedness towards God’s work, God’s people, and God’s creation. It’s a pretty good sell.
On the other hand, the Lutheran traditionalist who appreciates the familiarity of the liturgy and hymns straight out of the red, green, or cranberry hymnals may want to scream when guitars and drums and projected hymn lyrics invade the once-sacred worship space! Their Christian worship experience has served them well throughout their lifetimes – young and old. They rely on liturgy memorized from weekly usage for meaningful meditation. They might even recite it silently in their minds outside formal worship – maybe it calms them in a tight spot, maybe its beautiful language and cadence come to mind inadvertently for no good reason at all – other than that it’s so deeply embedded in one’s psyche. Traditional worshippers know that God is there in those ancient words, and God has been present in scripturally based liturgy for believers over the centuries. It’s comforting and uplifting to many to share in the religious experience of earlier Christians. Besides, the traditional worship service is a place where things happen spiritually…it’s ancient, but it’s alive too!! To many faithful worshippers, it ties the believer to the whole congregation, refreshes one on life’s journey, and prepares participants to go out and do the Lord’s work. This argument also bears much credibility.
The members of the church in Corinth to whom Paul addresses his letter also argued about the way Christians should conduct worship. How should they pray? How should money be used? How should women conduct themselves in the worship service? Etc.
Paul’s response to the Corinthians, though written over a thousand years ago, is also meaningful for us in our church settings today. Paul emphasizes the church’s unchanging oneness in Christ as the basis for corporate considerations and decision-making. Since Christ’s resurrection cleansed all from sin, we have a new, hopeful way of looking at problem-solving. God has been so generous with us. We learn from God’s generosity and, adopting it, turn toward one another in the midst of conflict with a renewed spirit of cooperation. So … the problem of contemporary or traditional worship is not what it seems. It’s not only a problem, but it’s also an opportunity for generosity. God’s way is the saving grace amidst our turmoil … it turns us around dynamically to look at old situations with inspired Christian leadership. More importantly, it’s a way for the church to demonstrate God among us. When something comes up in church life that divides us, Paul instructs us to be recognizable Christians by turning division into possibility. Then there’s no argument about our authenticity or our future… “we are treated … as dying, and see - we are alive …”
Prayer: God of love and forgiveness, you turn death into life, impossibility into possibility, stinginess into generosity, Friday into Sunday. Encourage us when we forget about the creativity you always offer us. Bring us together in your name and in your incredibly generous embrace so that we can better demonstrate your ways to others. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
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