Stability factors in worship

[Evangeline]

Last week I went to a Synod workshop called "Creative Trends in Worship" and enjoyed myself immensely.  We had some worship time together, good discussion, delicious soup and sandwich lunch, and watched some DVD presentations.

Being that St. Andrew's Wpg. is in a state of transition, it is really no surprise to me that the most valuable tip I gathered from a DVD we watched was that many things can be changed or moved around in worship as long as you know what things people 'can't live without', in other words, stability factors, and basically keep those.

For some it could be passing the peace/greeting your neighbour OR singing the same doxology OR including a responsive Psalm.  So, what do you think the stability factors are in your congregation?

Don't disappoint me, now!  It's been awhile (I think) since we had a good discussion on worship! 

[MaryK]

"politics are the most vicious when the stakes are small"  Henry Kissinger

I'll bet for most churches it is the petty that is the stability factor.  I recall a minister friend who was renovating the sanctuary to add room for a praise band.  The pivot item was what would happen to the flags at the front.

What caused the most hoopla at my old church was an invitation to invite a United Church minister to preach one Sunday.  (gasp, horror)

[Evangeline]

Thanks for your thoughts Mary.  I agree - sometimes the little things one would never expect cause the most uproar!

Others?  What does your congregation need in worship to feel stable?  (WW is your horse around?  )

[Evangeline]

I'd like to see if others out there have more to add to this discussion.  Anyone else care to admit what their congregation would hate to lose from their worship?

I know in some congregations, at least in the past, it could have been beginning the service with "Holy, Holy, Holy"....

[al clarkson]

ah...now I know where someone got some ideas earlier this week 

I think every congregation has a different perspective, depending on what has been "the norm", right from Debts/Debtors,  trespassers/trespasses sins/sinners in the Lord's Prayer, or how the Psalter has (Ps)assaulted some congregations, and others not as much....

[Stercus Tauri]

We lost a member over "He descended into Hell" vs "He descended to the dead", and she raised a lot of hell before she left. We'd shaken her stability.

Our congregation has shown an astonishing tolerance for incremental change; evolution, even. The one thing we'll never let go of is the stained glass windows; mostly relatively modern, in numerous failed attempts at a classical style, but because they are memorials to the rich people whose families have propped up a Scots Gothic pile for long enough, they've become our icons.  Personally, I hate the windows and would like to let some light back in, but these days I've learned to choose my battles and only fight those that I have a chance of winning.

[Evangeline]

Okay, so just to spark a little more debate....

Would people like it (put up with it) if we had a service of all music (no sermon?)  Not just one week, but say 2 or 3 in a row.

OR - if there was no singing, only reading the words of hymns?

OR - actually having a feast - smorgasbord/potluck lunch as we raised a glass to say, "Here's to Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith."?

[MaryK]

Some might, but to paraphrase WW, the majority would raise a lot of hell before they left.  Change - it's a terrible thing.

[al clarkson]

Might get the organist's union upset, but who can realistically pay R.C.C.O.'s suggested stipends

Okay, so just to spark a little more debate....
OR - if there was no singing, only reading the words of hymns?

[grumpy rev]

Changing the time of the service is what will spark an outright rebellion.
Just don't never even think about doing that!