Sunday, March 04, 2007

Traditional vs Contemporary Worship (4)

I've started a fruitful enlightening E-discussion with the pastor of Hampton Park Christian Church mentioned in a previous post. He seems to be very interested in this traditional/contemporary thing. It was amazing to find out that he's dedicated a whole sermon to Worship Wars (as some refer to this issue). This sermon could be downloaded here (in PDF). And don't be fooled by his (apparently) very funny language. Actually, as a wounded, somehow disabled, decorated veteran of worship wars, he has much to say; serious stuff. The rest of his sermons (in PDF) could be downloaded here. And in case you don't realize by reading his words, he identifies himself as a very liberal person.

In our correspondence (which has not remained limited just to this issue), he's mentioned a generalization (that seems to be held by some others also) about contemporary/traditional worship:

"The most liberal and contemporary churches in style tend to be the most conservative and traditional in their theology (CedarCreek for example). And likewise, the most liberal and contemporary churches theologically tend to be the most traditional/conservative in their worship styles (Episcopal Churches)".

I'm not informed enough yet to pose a serious challenge to his theology vs worship-style theory. However, those so-called litmus tests would apply here: for example how those churches react to issues like ordaining gay pastors, or acceptance of gay members in general, or sermons given by women. I know of gay-populated churches who have contemporary services (in extreme cases led by a lesbian or gay pastor).

You can find very contemporary services on both sides of the theology spectrum. Although Megachurches (and hence modern services) were originally platforms adopted by evangelist/televangelist pastors to make their words heard in a post-modern society, contemporary services are gradually finding popularity everywhere.

Still, you can find conservative-minded people holding fast to their traditional ways of worship (even in our fast-paced contemporary culture). Such churches are content (sometimes complacent regrettably) with their beliefs and don't find themselves compelled to add much modern attractions to entice people. Their (already) faithful audience (customers) could be more easily retained if they stick to their traditional ways in a black and white world.

I'm quite familiar (and somehow fed up) with such conservative perspectives from my tradition as a Muslim, raised and educated in an elite Islamic school. Still, I find it interesting to observe the same views in a country commonly (yet falsely) identified/stereotyped with Hollywood, Madonna or Michael Jackson.

Today, I attended one of those conservative churches. This has been the most traditional service I've attended here. I'll write about it in a future post. I assume I may attend even more traditional services. I'm just waiting for the spring and warmer weather to be able to visit more churches more conveniently.

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