How much congregation is congregational worship?
Does it matter?
Is this an important point about worship?
How we shape the worship liturgy has a lot to do with whether we want the liturgy as “congregational.” That, however, has a sting in it, since liturgy by its nature is God-centred, and that implies congregational. Secondly, a “personal” worship is very much less about liturgy – at least in practice, a “personal” worship is more like a personal conversation with God, not so much drawing full meanings of liturgy.
A liturgy is designed (planned) and executed (led) in such a way that the congregation constantly plays “catch-up” – this potentially indicates that the liturgy is too much on the “leader” than “communal”.
Perhaps this is not about the “leader”, it is then more about the liturgy itself, where the leader plays a minimum role to indicate proceeding.
How this works out is very much dependent on the “norms”.
Where the congregation is informed of a hymn number and maybe even the title or first line of the hymn, and nothing else, there is an absent of preparation. It feels like an execution of liturgy with the congregation just about at the fringe.
Where the leader proceeds without any pause, or invitation to the congregation, or such other similar means, with the Lord’s Prayer, the congregation might find they having missed the first few words, and not as prepared for the prayer than if they had been guided towards it.
Another example might be where it’s unclear whether the congregation should sing with the choir, or it is a choir-only piece.
Further, getting into the atmosphere of a hymn or song is very important, and preparing the congregation requires much thinking and careful execution. It remains a “personal” liturgy (of the leader) if preparation fails.
Considering the ingredients of worship means that various aspects of the liturgy ought to be communal. This might mean that leaders ought to minimise the distinction between “leaders” and “led”. If this happens, it might easily lead to a “show”, “spectacle”, or something to be observed rather than take full participation in.
A special worship service was planned where the congregation was invited to nominate their favourite hymns / songs, to be then selected for singing in the service. It is unclear the manner in which the items were shortlisted and included in the service (and others excluded, or “not been considered”). It would be good to have early indication of the order of service, at least for the elders, house group leaders, or others interested.
The fact that a few days following the service, to obtain the order of service was to take a further few days suggested that more thoughts needed to go into the needs of the congregation. The leader having led the worship in itself is a good start, there are however communal aspect of the life of the church that is somewhat lacking in this regard, or at least lacking in evidence that the communcal aspects have been satisfied.
To take a different approach:
Some churches have very prominent “leading” aspect in their worship; for those less familiar with this kind of worship, they might feel they are being asked to sing this, pray now, clap along if you like, sing that with several repeats, meditate on this theme, bow down some times and raise hands other times, repeat the other song, follow the text of a Bible passage projected on screen, etc. Let’s say that’s a very “leading strong” kind of worship.
To give example of a worship that has very minimum leading, we can draw examples from some that seek to promote equality of everyone at the service. The liturgy is such that anyone present can lead an item, which means as a whole the liturgy is an understanding, a fore-knowledge, but where the details is realised together at the service, experienced on the spot. For those new to this kind of worship, they are likely to feel very lost.
Is there a kind of worship that is somewhere in the middle of the above? There are plenty. However, there is another type of worship which crudely speaking can be described as “observation”. Broadly speaking, “high churches” are in this category. Such “high liturgy” churches usually have a group of appointed clergy and lay members who initiate and proceed with the liturgy in such a way that, for those who have little experience of such kind of worship, might feel a great sense of passivity.
active
passive
On the third kind of worship is where some feel we have best or right kind of worship. Leave aside that Jesus did not experience or promote such kind of worship, the main interest in this High approach is preparedness for a clean, unhurried, and altogether un-worldly kind of experience. To expound on this requires a few more sentences; but the focus here is about the congregation in congregational worship.
The congregation being expected or instructed to observe and follow some aspects of the singing and reading is a well-tested model. Some duration of time has passed where many if not all in the congregation can read text and music, have capability for reasoning and structured prose, and deal with day-to-day activities fully on their own. Far removed from feudalism, for example.
The congregation being expected or instructed to observe the liturgy aligns with the visionaries, e.g. of Revelation. Debates ought to be had on whether liturgy ought to have “meanings”, in so far as something we can relate to and participate in. Visionaries, dreams, miracles etc. are what worship liturgies guide us to, much less about liturgy itself.
Too many words here to explain about essence of congregation in congregational worship.
Do we carry on with the liturgy making little effort to invite and involve the congregation?
Approaching the throne of God, we are the congregation. Some of us are in active acts of worship; however, all of us have our own place to play active part in worship.
Let this be a reminder, a re-kindled light to find its way to lead others, for full expression in congregational worship.
