The Many Thoughts of Wanda Kidd

Soren Kierkegaard was a 19^th century philosopher who has been quoted often for his thoughts on worship and the role of the participants and our understanding of the value and purpose of worship  After twenty years of what has been called “Worship Wars”, where churches have had heated and dividing conversations that involved battles over music, what to wear and how to stage the  experience, we have often dwelt more on the what separates us in worship and have lost sight of the things that we share as a focus.

According to Kierkegaard we have confused why we attend worship. I had a young adult bring this to my attention a few years ago.  Knowing I was in ministry, she assured me she likes to go to church if the preacher is good, the music is excellent and it doesn’t take too long.  While I was processing that rather spectator approach, she threw in the final culmination of her value of worship.  She said “I always put something in the offering plate.  I would pay to go to a movie or a concert, so it feel like I should do the same something at church, too.” I have pondered her words often over the years.

The philosopher admonishes that we have confused our role as the audience.  It is not whether we are entertained, or if we approve of the style or the techniques used to provide a worship experience. Our excellence in providing worship that is holy and profound is because our audience for worship is God.

I attended a church in college that was having an internal struggle concerning the pastor.  People were taking sides and lining up to support or condemn. I was attending with a local family one Sunday, when a church member met us in the parking lot to solicit support for her side. Without rancor or ill will, my friend said, “What if we prayed for Doug each week with hopes for our worship.  Maybe that would help us all.”

I think of that each time I hear people complaining about the worship.  What if we each acknowledged our role in worship as participants, contributors rather than critics or judges.

Since our traditional worship experiences have been disrupted this year, I have talked to many pastors who are confused, concerned and even fatalistic about what the future of congregational worship is going to look like when this Covid season is over. There is great irony in how this experience has impacted the local congregation.  Some very creative things have happened, churches have found new ways to communicate, news ways to receive contributions, new ways of reaching people, but we have also lost some things. We miss coming in contact with people on a regular basis that helps us to discover the joys and sadness in each other’s lives. We long for shared meals,  smiles and in some ways just the solemnity and sacredness of worship.

I came across a list last week with some ideas about how those watching online can get the most out of worship.  I did not make a copy of the list and when I tried to find it on the internet. all I found was an abundance of list with ways churches could best reach their congregants. Hints on how they could “up” their music and how to provide an experience that people will tune in to see.  While that information is very Important, I do not believe it is the whole picture. Unfortunately, I could not re-find the list, but once again I was struck by the fact we put so much emphasis on us as the audience and not nearly enough attention on who we are gathering to worship. It seems that this experience of getting our worship online, has made some of us a bit sloppy in our participation and confused our focus.

Because I think this issue is important, I recreated the part of the list and I can remember and I possibly added a couple of ideas to the list.

10 Ways to Participate in Worship When You are Watching From Home

1. Dress for worship as if you were actually going to attend worship, at least get dressed
2. Stay focused on the worship, do not multi-task, checking your email, doing dishes or laundry
3. Participate in the order of worship,
   1. Pray,
   1. Sing and
   1. Read the responsive readings and
   1. Scripture
4. If you live in a house with other, watch it together
5. Watch it on the largest TV you have so that you have a larger experience
6. Before or after the service, take the time to make your contribution within the context of worship.  Supporting the ministry of the church is an act of worship, not a bill to pay.
7. Reach out to someone from your congregation during the week to let them know that you miss seeing them
8. Write down prayer concerns expressed during the service and pray for them throughout the week
9. Take notes on the sermon and reflect on it later.
10. Email or call your pastor and other staff to let them know that you were engaged in the service and you appreciate the opportunity to worship together