Focus on Vibrant Worship
After 20 plus years of providing worship leadership, it has been an interesting and enjoyable exercise to now be afforded the opportunity to travel to various Moravian congregations and experience the many different flavors of worship which exist in the life of the Moravian Church in North America. Though there was an earlier period in our recent past when one could likely enter into such an exercise and find an almost identical service of worship in most any North American Moravian Church, I would propose to you that day is now gone. Some may find that alarming — I confess, I do not. McDonalds has built a franchise out of making sure that a burger at one location, tastes exactly the same as a burger three states away. Thankfully, I have found the worship experiences of Moravian congregations in America aspire to a higher calling.
As this day’s ministry needs lay its fingerprints upon our practice of worship, I have been encouraged to see that some limiting terms of the past are slowly eroding. These terms have been partially the source for much conflict and division through a period which some authors refer to as the era of the “worship wars.” Objectively, “contemporary and traditional” worship have often in the past been oversimplified by a contrast of worship mechanics, such as accompaniment by guitars rather than an organ, projected words rather than a hymnal, a service of song rather than a liturgical service. Subjectively, the two are often stereotyped with preconceived biases such as traditional worship as “uninspiring and rutted,” while contemporary worship is “relevant and fresh.” Such an argument is easily reciprocated with statements like contemporary worship is “trendy and performance-oriented,” while traditional worship is about “theological-depth and historical heritage.” Neither argument is in and of itself adequate, but certainly both offer much opportunity for consternation and distraction, in my opinion.
Possibly the most troubling mindset for me, however, is the oft utilized notion that “Moravian worship” has characteristics which are defined less by the spirit of the experience and more by the mechanics of the worship. Oftentimes a particular ministry setting will galvanize its own worship practice by grasping to the understanding that, “what we do, we do because that’s what Moravians do.” In other words, we should not change our current worship format because within it is found the essential elements of what is true Moravian worship — even to the point that historical misconceptions are established and engrained in the worship practice itself. In these instances I wish I could share the wonderful and eye-opening opportunities I have had from traveling to experience the worship of many different Moravian congregations. McDonalds we are not!
I would advocate for looking beyond these stale terms used still in the worship wars, especially beyond the styles and mechanics. If our history provides any kind of road map for our worship practice, I would propose it is not one with rigid and narrow pathways. In fact, by our very history, I believe Moravians were innovators of worship. The use of brass instruments in worship was not a common practice of the day. Born somewhat out of necessity, but also from the sheer pleasure of the harmony, our Moravian ancestors enhanced their worship through these extraordinary instruments. Which begs the question, why is it now that we utilize such a small variety of instruments in our worship today? Along this same line of thinking, the focus of music in our worship is so clearly demonstrated in the Moravian Singestunde, where an integration of song and scripture provide the homily for worship. As Moravians, we love music and it has historically been a predominant vehicle for the exhortation of God’s Word and the inspiration of God’s people. Which begs the question, why is music often times such a small element of our worship today? In the worship of our past, worship was the collaboration of many, in that the practicalities of the day required the volunteer of many instrumentalists and the full participation of the congregation as the choir. Worship was truly an act of community, rather than a task for the clergy. Which begs the question, why is our worship today oftentimes the result of staff obligation, rather than of community inspiration?
Are such thoughts overstated? Possibly, however I would stand by the premise that rekindling our passion for worship in the North American Moravian Church will not be found in retooling our mechanics or overhauling our style. Likewise, it will not be found in adhering to a rigid worship practice that stifles the diverse expression of praise of God’s people. In this sense, the secret is not in being traditional or contemporary, whatever those terms actually mean. Vibrancy in worship for Moravians, I believe, may best be found in owning that which throughout history has helped us experience the presence of Christ’s Spirit and offer expression for our gratitude to a grace-filled God. For me, that all equates to a renewed embrace of music, an appreciation for the innovative and diverse ways it affords us opportunities to praise God, and finally to a “re-membering” of the full ranks of those laity who God has so richly equipped to play… to sing… to pray… and to speak.
Having grown up in the wonderful community of West Salem Moravian Church, I have a rich appreciation for the hymns that are so deeply engrained in my faith so much so that I no longer need a hymnal to sing them. I am grateful to those who gifted me with such experiences in worship. Likewise, now I most often will lead worship with a guitar strapped to my shoulder and a Psalm on my heart. I learned to play at Tar Hollow Senior High Camp and I have watched lives of all ages, not just youth, be moved in worship through such musical means. As we move into a new era in the life of our church, I desire to not let go of either of these diverse expressions of worship. I find both to offer an inspiration for faith and means by which to honor Jesus Christ. Some may say that makes me indecisive. To embrace both, I believe, simply makes me Moravian.
