Worship at FUMC: What's our Style?

Last night after learning the newest “America Idol” we accidentally tuned-in to the cartoon series “King of the Hill”. We joined the episode at the moment when the dad was arguing with the pastor of his United Methodist Church about assigned seating—the Smiths had stolen his family’s pew! The man was so outraged that he yanked his family out of the United Methodist church and went across town to the more contemporary mega-church. A tram service shuttles worshippers between the church bookstore/coffee bar and the shiny-metal and glass worship center. “THIS church offers assigned seating!” the usher proudly informs the family. The family has found a new home church--so long United Methodist Church of open seating!

Here at First United Methodist Church (of the open pew) of Hudson, our pews are reminders of days when pews WERE assigned. The pews are numbered. Once upon a time members “leased” their family pew from the church. A nifty fundraiser, the practice never-the-less fell out of favor and is now forbidden by our United Methodist Book of Discipline. Sure, people informally settle into certain favorite spots in the sanctuary and do occasionally feel perturbed when a newcomer sits unknowingly in that favorite spot. But for the most part our worship seating practices have modernized toward more flexible seating arrangements.

What other aspects of worship should modernize? I suppose much depends on what we believe worship is meant to accomplish.

On one point of the star, what some call “Liturgical Worship” or “formal” worship, the purpose is to offer dignified space and practices that predictably emphasize a somewhat vertical experience of God.

Another type of worship, what some might call “Charismatic Worship”, allows space for the Holy Spirit of God to come down and for God’s presence to become immanent in the lives of participants.

Another unique form of worship, what some have called “Contemporary Music Driven Worship”, offers contemporary space and practices which are relevant to everyday lives so that people are drawn into authentic relationship with Jesus Christ.

Another point on the “worship types star” is what some have called “Emergent Worship” which emphasizes a horizontal experience of God (God is in us and we are in God) through eclectic (with endless variety) space and practices.

I think our current worship is 75% Liturgical, 15% Contemporary, 7% Emergent and 3% Charismatic. What do you think?

I am not always satisfied with how we worship together, often wishing the star was more symmetrical at least, or maybe even with a longer “emergent” beam of light, because I personally experience God best when I am hearing God speak through the surprisingly mundane actions and words of others. But I suspect that a majority of FUMC parishioners prefer a longer “liturgical” shaft of light, so I continue to offer more vertical space and practices (such as using a program that lists everything we expect to do in worship, wearing a robe, preaching from the pulpit, placing offering on the altar.) I can offer these practices faithfully because I believe in a God who can use something as simple as a shrub (See “Burning Bush”) or bread (See “Last Supper”) in order to be “experienced”. And to me, that is the mid-point of the star, the space where these diverse lines intersect, the reason and purpose of worship:

God CAN be experienced!
A vital, authentic experience of God leads to loving relationship with God.
A loving relationship with God leads to a vitalized, loving relationship with all of creation.

Whatever your preference for worship, I hope you will meet with us one day soon so together we can share in the love of God!

Pastor Doug