A Turn To Liturgy

Scot McKnight wrote a post on Jesus Creed concerning the turn toward Liturgy by late adolescents.  I write about this issue extensively in Presence Centered Youth Ministry.  Scot makes several interesting observations and speculations about why this is occurring.  He speaks of evangelical students turning to the Eastern Orthodox Church and Roman Catholic Church.  I believe that young people who have grown up in the Evangelical Church would stay in the Evangelical Church if we would recover a more robust, tradition-rich, missional and historic ecclesiology that breaks free from a Nationalistic Particularism which has permeated the North American Evangelical Church in the last 50 plus years.  What do you think?

Comments

[Sally]

Amen to that. I have a lot of thoughts on this issue.

I've been really lucky when it comes to this stuff. Just as I was beginning to desire a more holistic faith, I became involved with incredible groups like YouthFront, the Gathering, Jacob's Well and Lakeland (my church in LS). Rich liturgy is something which I'd never really experienced before YouthFront and Jacob's Well. The Gathering taught me a ton about ecclesiology. Lakeland has been a place where I could put all of this into practice and be in genuine community as the body of Christ.

Jamie has also been of huge influence and help for me in this area. He's lent me books like Celebration of Discipline by Foster and helped me develop a rule of life. My reading of books about church history and the saints (although I still know far too little) have also brought me to a deeper point in my faith. All of this has been so important to my growth as a child of God.

In addition to the “traditional” aspects of Christian faith and discipline (solitude, fasting, pilgrimage, etc), I have also grown to love some of the newer expressions of faith which are popping up lately. For instance, Work of the People does some incredible audiovisual liturgy, something to original church certainly did not have. Lately, I’ve also been experiencing how using our bodies can enhance our spiritual disciplines through how we position our bodies in certain ways. The mainstream Evangelical Church, particularly in America, is so far out of touch with how our bodies effect our whole being that I think we could all benefit from being a little more in touch with our bodies.

While my desire for a more holistic and historically aware faith has not driven me away from Evangelical churches altogether, it has certainly driven me away for the mainstream and into the Emerging Church conversation. I don’t think it is needed for students to leave the more radical and culturally aware low church for the high church in order to put roots to their faith. At least that hasn’t been the case for me. But, I could see how teens who have not had experiences with places like YF, Jacob’s Well, the Gathering, and Lakeland or read books like Irresistible Revolution or The Vision and the Vow could feel that converting is the only way to obtain those roots.

One trend worth noticing in my experience is that, with the exception of Youthfront and sometimes Lakeland, I have had to move out of the “youth ministry” and into college or adult groups in order to find real spiritual depth. I think a lot of this is because the youth ministry culture expects far to little of us: most youth pastors seem to think that we will only come to church if we are entertained and spend so much time pursuing entertainment (which we get plenty of in every other aspect of our lives) that we never get to experience the deep stillness and rich tradition which we so need. That’s pretty sad.

A little side note: I’ve spent a good deal of time working on the Liturgy for the Altar (with the help of my pastor who is great at that stuff) and I’m really excited to see how it all plays out. The daily offices should be really neat.

So yes, eventually we do get tiered of the Velcro Walls and need something deeper.

And I think my comment was longer than your post. OOps...

[Gras]

We've been having inter-generational discussions, and I've learned that for the seasoned church members, breaking with tradition is almost equated with being a sin - things like dressing how you want to, or not going to Sunday School. Also, there was a big push to install flag poles for US, Kansas, and the Christian flag. And there will be a brick memorial to war veterans. Those things are nice, but I'm left wondering if the time and money could be used for more spiritual activities. So I guess what I'm driving at, is that it's hard to break free with so much resistance to change.

[Mike]

Hey Sally,

I'm looking forward to being with you this weekend at the Altar. I love your thoughts and am inspired that so many in your generation are passionate about living lives that are authentic and radically committed to walk in the way of Jesus Christ.

Peace,

Mike

[Mike]

Courtney,

When I speak of Tradition I am not referring to dress, Sunday School, or American Flags. Tradition to me is related to historic practices that are more universal, cross-cultural and span centuries.

For instance, the idea of giving the American Flag a prominent place in our spaces of worship would be very problematic to the historic church. There have been times when the church wrapped itself in a nationalistic flag and the results have not been positive for the Kingdom of God. There were reformers who stood against this kind of Christianity - that is a Tradition of the historic Church. Anyway, I'm blethering on....

Peace,

Mike

[Sean]

Just what IS the "evangelical church"? Why kids (people) who "leave" "the evangelical church" may not depend on anything liturgical. Is the move towards liturgy fundamentally cultural or theological? Interestingly, I think what we are discovering is how theological culture really is, right? What I am experiencing with students is an openness to anything that helps them express "liturgically" what they are experiencing "theologically". I see Youthfront helping kids who grow up immersed in evangelical culture in a way that is stunningly beautiful and is resonating with others around the country in similar cultural contexts. I'm convinced we will really see the fruits of God's work in and through Youthfront after we both are dead, and it will be distinct.

[Mike]

It is an interesting thought Sean, "I think what we are discovering is how theological culture really is." Also, "Beauty" is a big part of this phenomenon. I think this is also an epistemological issue... - a more holistic "way of knowing." I'm not planning on dying anytime soon Sean, how about you?

When will we see each other next? I need a Sean, Michelle, and Tim fix.

Peace,

Mike

[Mike]

Here are some thoughts from Thomas at Everyday Liturgy http://everydayliturgy.com

Here's my thoughts two years into a major liturgical conversion in my life.

I was tired of learning and arguing about the Bible, I wanted to live the Bible.

I was bored with church for the sake of church, I wanted church to have a higher value in my life.

I began to see that "mere rememberance" is dry and routine, and that true worship was found in living sacramentally.

I didn't want to just read the Word, I wanted to eat the Word.

I was learning checklist prayers were juvenile, and that prayers of metaphor, imagery, allusion, and devotion are better ways for God to commune with you and you with God.

I was troubled by the deification of the Bible at the detriment of the congregation.

I was bothered by our willing denial and disregard for the Apostles' words to have communion every time we gather together.

I was unsatisfied with knowledge so I began to desire wisdom.

I was weary of Christendom and a desire for political power, I wanted a Kingdom.

I was annoyed by the dichotomy of clergy/laity, I wanted to be a priest along with other believers.

I was a bit nostalgic.

I was pondering ways to not feel so disconnected with God from Monday to Saturday. Upping my "quiet time" minutes didn't help. Prayer and meditation did.

I was looking for God beyond the Word, and I am finding him in the garden, in the church, in the field, in the workplace, in car rides, in contemplation, in busyness, and in constant prayer.

There are many of us on this road? Are you one? Do you think they will listen?

[Bob Carlton]

The comment above is so power.

It is striking to me how so many streams in the church river ask themselves - how can we keep ourselves separate ? The point is not to stay as an evangelical or Orthodox or even mega. The point is to follow Jesus, in a community.

[Ty]

If this doesn't strike a chord than I don't know what does....you're right on Mike, in the original post and your comments. For me, it's the return to the overall depth and richness of the life-light Christ offers. It's hard to be a part of a body in Boston. It rarely exists. Church exists. Sunday services exist. Small groups exist. However, finding a living, breathing body is rare.

Returning to historical traditions is such a large conversation. Up here people are dying for it and most of the people don't even know that for which they're dying. So many people I speak with are so eager to see Jesus but the church shrouds him over and people are left with the thought, "This is Jesus?" "This is His church?" "We are his body?" and they're left hoping to really see those things but come up dry.

I think the reason a large part of us find resonance with those traditions is because they reveal Jesus. I am finding it more and more difficult to see Jesus in a lot of the "churchy" type things that go on. In "the program." I'm wondering if the reason I can't see him is because he isn't there. The traditions you speak of show Him because they're void of the subliminal roots of our present day society. We are so ingrained with consumerism, america and its dream, compartmentalizing our lives, autonomous individuality, greed, etc. etc. that doing life and being the body apart from those underlining ideas is really hard, esp. if you're not living and operating inside of a group of people that recognize them. We're really hit hard with the Kingdom of America and when it's coming straight from the church, most people feel something is wrong, but can't figure out what it is. We grew up saying the pledge of allegiance, how could we separate church and state, aren't they one? We've been told so long that it is so... however, many of us want God's kingdom and are done with the ideals of the American Dream Kingdom. But, it's a touchy subject. The traditions of the church are rooted in God's Kingdom, that's why I think we long for them, because we long for God.

And even so, I wonder if I even have a hint of what's happening inside me and the few others up here. But something major is happening. I even see it with the 10 year olds in class, they're the biggest sounding board I know.

[Mike]

Hey Ty,

Thanks for your thoughts. You make me remember why I miss you being in KC. When are you coming for a visit?

I believe liturgy = beauty and beauty draws us into the transcendent depths of the reality of GOD.

Peace to you,

Mike

PS - I hope you Bostonians will let another city enjoy a world championship this year.

Go Cubs!

[Erik Leafblad]

This is a fascinating discussion. It is deeper than simply youth ministry, as thoughts and comments on here suggest, though this may be one of those moments when the young people of our churches are calling us to a deeper conversion to the richness and wholeness of life in Christ.

Mike, one nit-picky question: in one of your comments you say, "I was looking for God beyond the Word, and I am finding him in the garden, in the church, in the field, in the workplace, in car rides, in contemplation, in busyness, and in constant prayer." Is it possible that the Word has been subject to a needless reduction, and really what you are finding in the those various other places is the Word, the logos, the present Christ by the witness of his Spirit?

[Mike]

Hey Erik,

Yes to your last question. While the quote you are referring to was not mine, I do understand and resonate with what was written. I believe you are spot on Erik, unfortunately, so many Christians have been restricted with a reductionistic concept of encountering God through a specific understanding of "God's Word" (scripture) while not fully grasping that God's WORD is Jesus Christ who, yes is made known through the witness of the Spirit... through Scripture, community, "in the garden", "in the field", etc. How is Svea and Amy doing?

[Erik Leafblad]

Wow, should have been a bit more astute in seeing that the Mike in the comment wasn't you. Oops. But, how did you know I wasn't asking him? :-)

Amy and Svea are doing well. We are fortunate in that both our kids sleep like angels. Svea wakes up about every three hours to eat and then goes straight back to sleep. Then, during the day, she pretty much just sleeps, which allows me to just hold her and admire her beauty. Soren is getting used to having her around, but because she spends so much time with Amy, this has made Soren that much more attached to me. Can't really complain about that, though. Can't wait for you all to meet the whole family together. Three weeks and we'll be in KC.