The Church Service, Then and Now

Church services have changed greatly during my lifetime. I occasionally find myself harking back to services of my earlier, formative years. And yet, I like today's services. I thought I'd draw comparisons between today's church services and those of, say, the 1960s and 1970s, and see who wins.

Keep in mind that I'm speaking in generalities, and only from the tiny United Brethren corner of Christendom. So this is basically useless drivel with no statistical accuracy. As if that ever stops me.

Sermon content. Sermons have become (in general) shorter and more relevant to contemporary life. Less theology (not good), but more practical application. At the same time, sermons are more "sensitive" and less hard-hitting, less no-nonsense about what it means to be a Christian. Overall: it's a draw.

Multimedia. Multimedia, to me, greatly enhances worship and the communication process. Hurray for technology, and God bless PowerPoint. Ministers, no longer mere talking heads, creatively augment their messages with movie clips, props, metaphors, Powerpoint slides, etc. Technology is expensive, and some ministers feel crippled without their techie tools. But overall: hugely positive change.

Pastoral prayer. How I dreaded, as a kid, standing for 15 minutes while the pastor droned on with his high-priestly prayer. But this practice seems to have bitten the dust. Overall: excellent change.

Music leadership. It was 1991 before I attended a church which used drums and guitars. I would have loved drums even in the 1960s, but alas, we couldn't get beyond the organ-piano combo. I enjoy involving more laypersons in the music, and being able to do new songs rather than be chained to what's in the hymnal. Overall: an absolutely wonderful change.

Congregational singing. Lots of deadbeats sit in today's pews, not singing. Just standing there with stone faces. What's the problem here? Plus, since nobody actually looks at music (as in a hymnal), nobody sings parts. I miss that. Overall: bad change.

Songs. A lot of great music is being written. Unfortunately, it all says the same thing: God is great, wonderful, awesome, merciful, faithful, loving, etc., etc., etc. And he's all of these things to me me me me. Lots of touch-feely lyrics, all between the singer and God. Looking for new congregational songs about evangelism, conquering sin, the church, missions, the second coming, Christmas, prayer? Sorry, you're out of luck unless you track down a hymnal. Overall: bad change.

Attire. In early days, I always dressed up for church. Now, people go casual. Lots of people deem that a bad thing, a lowering of standards, a lessening of respect for God. I see it as removing a barrier for unchurched folks. Clothes shouldn't be a barrier. Overall: great change.

That pretty much covers it. Did I miss anything significant? Looks like I think things are better than in my youth. So, no more harking for me.

Posted on March 3, 2007 11:19 AM|

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