Emergent Commissioning?
This past Sunday I was on the platform for both of the gatherings which centered around the commissioning and ordination and the sending out of the new officers in our territory. I have always viewed these events as sacred. In fact, I have thought that these events are ordained by God.
Both of the gatherings had meaningful moments. The Holy Spirit spoke to me stongly as I watched families praying together and people committing themselves for ministry.
As meaningful as the moments were, they were somewhat tempered by the fact that the meetings were long and that I was already emotionally drained, because of the fact that we are moving to a new place. I was also struck by the fact that it seemed to me as I sat on the platform and looked out that there were many in the congregation who took this time for holding mini-reunions, during the meetings. I must tell you that it shook my spirit.
There were many factors which contributed to the this happening. The venue itself was not conducive, physically, to the elements of worship. I also had a sense that we packed too much into the gatherings. I believe that all the elements were important, but I wondered whether we needed to have all of those elements at one time.
I did love the fact that the new captains were commissioned at the Holiness Table. That is a great tradition of our movement. It was deeply moving.
As much as I loved the band,songster and drama numbers, I am not sure we needed them all. Many of the people I know, were ready just to hear from the Spirit. They did not want much in the way of the special numbers. They wanted a simplified approach.
Many in our day feel that way. They are not against ceremony. They are for the essentials of spiritual rites, not the institutionalism of ceremony. They are in a way, emergent. Their desire is to simply honor God and not necessarily the movement. They simply and directly want to get to worship and the Word. They wanted to have it contextually relevant, but missionally and spiritually traditional.
I wonder what William and Catherine would be thinking as they debriefed the weekend. I would imagine they would rejoice over the commitments of people sold out for the Gospel. Witnessing the commissioning of new officers and the sending out of new youth workers would have caused them to burst their buttons with holy pride. I am not sure they would take delight in the necessity of trying to be all-inclusive for programmatic elements. I am not sure The Spirit needs programmatic elements. He just desires worship and consecration.
So I am struggling with this. While I want to stay faithful to meaningful rites of spiritual passage, I also know that we need to be aware of the programmatic approach to worship gatherings.
When you go to these types of gatherings are you as conflicted as I am? Do you want meaningful ceremony, but carry concern about programmatic elements? What are the essentials that should be kept in meaningful spiritual rites of passage? Do we (I really include myself in this) try to be too creative and end up being creative for the sake of creativity, even though we are not trying to do that? How do we strike a balance so that we create a drama in worship that is pleasing to God?
Does ceremony need to "emerge" with the church or is the old really new?
What do you think?
Both of the gatherings had meaningful moments. The Holy Spirit spoke to me stongly as I watched families praying together and people committing themselves for ministry.
As meaningful as the moments were, they were somewhat tempered by the fact that the meetings were long and that I was already emotionally drained, because of the fact that we are moving to a new place. I was also struck by the fact that it seemed to me as I sat on the platform and looked out that there were many in the congregation who took this time for holding mini-reunions, during the meetings. I must tell you that it shook my spirit.
There were many factors which contributed to the this happening. The venue itself was not conducive, physically, to the elements of worship. I also had a sense that we packed too much into the gatherings. I believe that all the elements were important, but I wondered whether we needed to have all of those elements at one time.
I did love the fact that the new captains were commissioned at the Holiness Table. That is a great tradition of our movement. It was deeply moving.
As much as I loved the band,songster and drama numbers, I am not sure we needed them all. Many of the people I know, were ready just to hear from the Spirit. They did not want much in the way of the special numbers. They wanted a simplified approach.
Many in our day feel that way. They are not against ceremony. They are for the essentials of spiritual rites, not the institutionalism of ceremony. They are in a way, emergent. Their desire is to simply honor God and not necessarily the movement. They simply and directly want to get to worship and the Word. They wanted to have it contextually relevant, but missionally and spiritually traditional.
I wonder what William and Catherine would be thinking as they debriefed the weekend. I would imagine they would rejoice over the commitments of people sold out for the Gospel. Witnessing the commissioning of new officers and the sending out of new youth workers would have caused them to burst their buttons with holy pride. I am not sure they would take delight in the necessity of trying to be all-inclusive for programmatic elements. I am not sure The Spirit needs programmatic elements. He just desires worship and consecration.
So I am struggling with this. While I want to stay faithful to meaningful rites of spiritual passage, I also know that we need to be aware of the programmatic approach to worship gatherings.
When you go to these types of gatherings are you as conflicted as I am? Do you want meaningful ceremony, but carry concern about programmatic elements? What are the essentials that should be kept in meaningful spiritual rites of passage? Do we (I really include myself in this) try to be too creative and end up being creative for the sake of creativity, even though we are not trying to do that? How do we strike a balance so that we create a drama in worship that is pleasing to God?
Does ceremony need to "emerge" with the church or is the old really new?
What do you think?
posted by Larry at 9:22 AM
10 Comments:
Ok, so I've decided to be bold and step out. I had a personal interest in this weekend, seeing family commisioned and ordained. I felt like just as I was fully engaged in worship/thanksgiving to God for His faithfulness in our family's life, I was interrupted by another award, presentation, or announcement, conversation, reunion, or soapbox. In my heart I found myself apologizing to God for the interruption...like he needed to hear that from me. Sorry God, can you wait a minute...we've got to take care of this too.
I actually blogged on this topic when I got home as well. I did feel there was just too much "stuff" in both the meetings on Sunday. We didn't even stay until the end because of the drive home we knew was coming. Our session's appointment service was just under 2 hours and we commissioned almost 10 more captains.
Nicki, I felt the same way...lots of interruptions...we were there for some good friends who have been through a lot. God is amazing even when we (The Army) over-program and over-think things.
Ok, I'm babbling...enough for now.
For Blood and Fire,
Dave
I think we should just keep the main thing the main thing. I appose the parading of DC’s and the worship of human leaders. I agree that we should submit to the leadership God has place over us . . . but I think we take the whole thing a little too far sometimes. As meaningful as the ceremony and ordination is, all the other stuff is just a little too pompous for me.
I totally agree susan! My brother and sister-in-law are expecting their first child in August...they didn't know where they were going until Sunday (that gives them 2 weeks to "get it together"). A lot of behind the scenes prep was done on their behalf, but why put an expectant mother under any more stress? I know that I am put off by the "I know something you don't know" attitude we experienced as cadets from officers. Yes, it is tradition...but when does it become a show (for the cadet's reactions) more than a sacred calling out and appointment service.
I would really just like to say how encouraging these comments are. I’ve only been to one commissioning and was pretty saddened by the whole experience. Yet I always hear people talk about commissioning as if it’s this wonderfully beautiful event. I just found it arrogant. It’s really good to hear what the South is doing now. I like how it was described; humane. Really good way of putting that.
I know that “commissioning” isn’t really the point of this post though.
Somewhere along the way, the Sunday morning “worship service” turned into many things, including a “meeting” and, in my opinion, a form of Christian theatre/entertainment (that usually isn’t all that entertaining these days). I even find myself flabbergasted (and I don’t do that often) at the idea of putting the announcements right in the middle of worship. Something that even my own truly progressing Corps still does. I’m with Larry. Even as I plan Youth Councils every year, I struggle because I know that people expect to see as many young people on stage as possible, yet I’m trying to keep people focussed on worship. This year I’m seriously considering not even having worship and just calling it what it is. A day to showcase the young people and youth ministries of our division.
Among my first thoughts when coming to the Army was, “man these services are just way too long”. If you go to a divisional event, you’re doing good if the service is over in two hours. First of all, we’ve got some really important/high ranking people with us tonight and we’ve got to find a way to get each and every one of them on stage in one way or another. And then, since all of these high ranking people are here, we’ve also got to showcase the talent in our division. So let’s get everybody we deem as being talented, and ask them to perform something. Throughout that time we’ll be worshipping (cough, cough) and we’ll ask Major fuddy duddy (who’s spiritual gift may or may not be preaching) to preach.
And then (and here’s with a the youth minister in me comes out) we’ll gripe at all of the young people for looking for absolutely any way they can (including going to the bathroom) to get out of the service. I’m with the young people! Get me out of here! : )
I don't think anyone could have said it better then Tim just did! That's ssooooo true! I was talking about this with Meghan and how we (tsa) feel the need to show off our talent whenever someone "important" from the Army visits. And those retirements! No offense to anyone but is all that "Stuff" three hour meetings really necessary? You don't see missionary officers who retire having a 3 hour meeting for themselves! I think it is getting a little ridiculous. We were also talking about Commissioning and how we feel the army is loosing touch with our REAL mission and focusing too much on benefiting ourselves, I realize that seems a little harsh, but I'm not the only one who thinks that. Don't get me wrong, I love Commissioning and the Army but I think there needs to be some SERIOUS change!
Wow I can't believe I just wrote that! :) that was really opinionated!
Honestly, I am not about bashing commissioning or big events. I am really just anxious to keep them spiritual rites of passage. I have no problem and as a matter of fact think acknowledgement of people and leadership is good. I am not sure that the ordination and commissioning is the right place. I am not sure what the right place is.
I'm not for bashing commissioning or other big events either, so I've just stopped going! In all seriousness, they make me so cynical that I just hate myself afterwards when all I can think about it how much emphasis was put on recognition of leaders and showboating. Commissioning to me became a social event, a time to catch up with old friends, but that's not what it is about.
I honestly don't know how to retain the focus on what is actually happening...people are giving it up for God and they're getting hidden behind dramas and band music. (See I'm getting cynical again...darn that!)
There is a time and a place for everything and I don't understand why Sunday's service shouldn't be dedicated solely to these individuals and have a showcase of talent (or whatever you want to call it) on Saturday. The old adage rings true here...KISS -- Keep It Simple Stupid.
natr...
you would be surprised who reads this blog. you also should know that i often discuss my blog with leadership. I never divulge peoples' names. I do, however, share their thoughts. You are right about the difference of a FULL service or full service. Great point.
Don't forget about us :) come visit at Star Lake!!!! Or TAM or SLMC! Which ever!
Post a Comment
<< Home