July 30, 2012
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Dear younger Jonathan Vajda,…
Dear younger Jonathan Vajda,
I know you have some strong feelings about this, but please hear me out. When you think of a Church that’s really orderly, don’t assume their hearts aren’t in it or that they are just going through the motions thoughtlessly. I realize that you think that pre-written prayers are not as authentic or honest as those said right-off-the-cuff, and that communion shouldn’t be done every week because it will lose significance.
In reality, every congregation will have people whose hearts aren’t in it, and people who are passionate and authentic. It doesn’t ultimately rise and fall on liturgy or mustering up the kinds of thoughts you think you “ought” to feel.
If pre-written prayers are not genuine, then our worship songs need not be pre-written. Actually, if you take the time to write out a prayer, you are in the moment of time where you can meditate on the right things to pray for, to stop and be led by the Spirit in the 15 minutes, hour, or day that you are carefully crafting the right prayer to offer to God before the congregation. Sometimes you ask for things you know you shouldn’t ask; taking the time to think it through is a safeguard against this selfishness. Sometimes you stumble over words not knowing what you’re saying; this allows you to have this time to stumble at your desk, so that when you’re in front of everyone they are led most effectively, clearly and Biblically. Finally, you can make sure that the words coming out of your mouth are beautiful and honoring to God. Eloquence is not just for man: God made man’s mouth for His own glory.
If the frequency of communion implies a drop in significance, then preaching should be every couple weeks or once-a-month. Or skip worship music every once in a while. In early Christian history, the service centered on communion rather than worship music or the preaching; they had a higher view of the sacraments and they wanted to partake. In fact, communion is the gospel, presented a different way. You are proclaiming what Christ accomplished on the cross –breaking his body, spilling his blood– for the making of a new covenant, in which we have union with Christ and community with one another. The fact that it is the gospel means we should partake frequently. If you could summarize a worship service, it is that we are glorying in our unity with Christ and fellowship together, being spiritually fed and worshiping God as he told us to; thus, the communion table is a microcosm of the entire service, a small part that makes the whole in view.
Finally, younger Jon, the Church is broken and, until Christ returns, always will be. Please be patient, as no Church seems to “get it right.” They’re just like you, and need grace and progressive sanctification. Some things will change for the better, and never as fast as you’d like. Embrace high hopes for her, but expect much disappointment along the way. Much disappointment. But never forsake her or dishonor her, because she is your mother.
Comments (2)
I sincerely thank you for this post & the thoughts that were provoked by it in my mind. I found it ironic that, while some of your suggested supported that things stay the way they are (preaching every week) for me it only solidified in my mind that things should change! In craddle role, children aren’t allowed to freely spend time with other children, & have a time of exploration. If a kid runs through the sanctuary or tries to “fin their voice” with the echoes of the tall sanctuary walls they are “being disruptive”. If a mother doesn’t use the same disciplinarian ways as the majority of the other church members she is not asked why she has chosen to do things differently in a way that makes it easy for people to learn from each other…there is structure, order, cleanliness…& therefore… beauty. But I disagree. As a mother of a 2 year old, I know… that sometimes the best thing to do is run around a field of flowers with your child & show her what each flower is, to chase butterflies or even bee’s that sting & teach her “ouchy! Bee bites!” to me…there is MORE harmony in this… in freedom…than there is in trying to conform to a huge demand of lists. Pastors spend ten minutes apologizing about going over ten minutes… The person who does the bulletin is having a heart attack because “Special music” of a person “Trained” to play the trumpet has no replacement…even though there are many kids in the audience who know how to sing Yes, Jesus loves me. Sometimes..there is comfort in learning & learning means following our brains to whatever thoughts & questions it may have…regardless of the order of that the questions that come! When Jesus comes he’ll take us to his kingdom. While there will be things that are expected there, like the Sabbath… those “expectations” will be just that… a delightful expectation that we just can’t wait to experience. In heaven, I can’t imagine a church secretary freeting over the bulletin, or Jesus saying “I’m sorry for going overing on this sermon ten minutes..” there will be no pews to polish & vacuum & clean because we’ll be sitting at Jesus feet. The sanctuary will be wherever Jesus is… & finally there will be peace there. I’m so looking forward to it & I hope those who read this comment are too!
I can relate to much of what you’ve written here. I shunned formal liturgy for years due to my upbringing and misconceptions about it. We’re all too quick to make judgments based on appearance. May God help us to see into the heart as He does and to worship Him as He requires.
John 4:23 But the hour is coming, and is now here, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for the Father is seeking such people to worship him. 24 God is spirit, and those who worship him must worship in spirit and truth.