Tuesday, August 31, 2004
worship experiences
After seeing this topic come up in a few places, and writing this description in our yahoo group, I felt inclined to share it here as well. Every Thursday night, we have a biblical study in our home. This is only one of the many things we're doing, but out of them all, it is the most focused on scripture and worship. Sometimes we involve ourselves in listening to and discussing lectures, other times we have theme-based or cultural discussions and teachings on scripture, and still other nights we engage together in lectio divina. Every month or so, however, we take quite a different route and dedicate the night to all forms of worship. We're still seeking a space for a "public living room" where we can grow our worship experiences to having many more stations of worship and contemplation. For now, it remains in our humble home.
The main room has live, heart-felt worship, with mood music playing during the musician's breaks, and is surrounded by candlelight and instruments. There is a place set up in the room with all types of supplies - canvases, paints, brushes, sketch pads, pens, pencils, notepads, etc.. This is where people are encouraged to be creative with poetry, painting, art, music, or however they express themselves in worship, even if it is only sitting in quiet reflection or singing along as loud as they can. There are also opportunities given to share their creations with everyone.
We have a side room set up with the dim lights of embellished Christmas-light strands, casting patterns on the walls. In there, most everything is covered in dark sheets, so as not to distract. On the sides of the room, computer monitors slowly move their way through pictures inspiring contemplation and reflection. A small waterfall adds a new peaceful sound to the room as the worship music resounds through the walls of the house. Set in the middle of the room is a small table, no more than an ankle high, presenting challah bread and wine quite familiar to that of the Sabbath table. We place a short and art laden writing beside the table, explaining the historical tithe and offering, and their connection to the covenant ritual of bread and wine on the Sabbath, encouraging a conscious exchange of covenant with God and taking rest in Him. Also, there is a small bowl full of beautiful glass stones and small cards set in the room. Taking a card from the bowl, you would find a small meditative picture with a question, thought, or request encouraging you to rest, reflect, or contemplate.
In a third room, our garage, when the weather allows, we have a place where we show movies that encourage spiritual reflection. These are not everyday movies that we flash across the large screen, but those that inspire, move emotions, and cause us to worship -movies such as the silent film Joan of Arc from the 1930's, or some of the more artistic short films of the Damah Film Festival.
The night usually opens in prayer, and ends with us all sharing with each other. People come and go throughout the night, each new face quietly being introduced to the environment by one who is more familiar, and encouraged to find worship. We've seen as many as 30 fill our home beyond capacity, and as few as 3 sitting around and sharing the deepest parts of their soul.
Steve Collins' website, small ritual, is what inspired our vision for the center for expressive arts and challenged as well as helped define who we are as the Church - the sections, "small ritual" and "third place" especially. His ideas for worship are captivating, and sometimes very humorous.
http://www.btinternet.com/~smallritual/
Steve is also highly involved in the Alternative Worship movement in the UK. They have an awesome website and resource.
http://www.alternativeworship.org/
...and their photo journal...
http://www.smallfire.org/
Also, Adam Cleaveland puts on worship experiences here in the states, called .bE, and has pictures posted that gave us many ideas as well.
http://cleave.blogs.com/photos/be/
