A Few Problems⤒🔗

I was asked to write an article using the above title. Spontaneously, I answered “yes,” but, when it came down to actually doing it, I encountered a few problems.

The title itself already raises questions. For example, what is meant by “all parts of the liturgy”? Within the language usage in the church, “liturgy” generally refers to the whole church service. In that sense, everything that happens during the church service is liturgical. But there is another problem. Experiencing is very personal. In order to gain good insight into the question of how the church service on Sunday is experienced in general, a professionally set-up poll could be of greater service than the point of view of one person, particularly when that one person is usually the worship leader. However, I was not asked to write an article about my personal experiencing of all (liturgical) parts of the worship service. To write about the experiences of others seems to me a dubious undertaking.

Finally, another question arises: what do we mean with “experiencing”? A very emotional person will experience a particular event differently from one who, while not without emotions, approaches reality in a more rational manner. Sound, colour, spatial arrangement — all of this play a role in the people’s world of experience. Added to that is personal taste and style. What appeals to one, is a reason for another to turn away.    

Conjecture←⤒🔗

Are all liturgical parts of the church service experienced? That is to say, is there awareness of what is happening at a particular moment, what the meaning is of that happening, and if it reaches the heart of our existence? I suspect that that is not always the case. That suspicion is based on several experiences which I will relate here in abbreviated form.

Once in a while, I am the worship leader in another congregation. Usually, I will receive a letter prior to the service which details the usual order of the worship service in that congregation. Sometimes that is not the case. If the pastor of the congregation is not present, or if the congregation is vacant, I will phone a member of the consistory or the janitor — just someone who experiences the order of procedure in this place on a weekly basis. For example, in answer to the question when the confession of faith is read or when the collection is held, sometimes an answer comes only after a few minutes of deliberation. Sometimes they really do not know.

It has also come to my attention that in various congregations, for many church members, the collection provides a moment to continue the conversation with the person next to them that was broken off when the worship service started.

In any case, one can conclude from this that not all parts are equally intensely experienced by all members. It witnesses to a “not stopping to pay attention” to what is happening and to why it is happening at a certain moment. That the collection is a liturgical moment wherein the giving of “material” gifts is also a symbol of giving yourself to the Lord in his service out of love for the Lord, is barely realized. The collection might just as well have been held prior to the service when the members entered the building, or after the service at the exit. Clearly, such a part of the worship service is experienced without thought or attention.

Factors That Play a Role←⤒🔗

Now, there are various factors that can contribute to a situation where specific parts are or are not experienced. I will name three: knowledge of certain matters, personal circumstances, and the situation in the world.

Other factors might be mentioned. In a secularized society, the awareness that we live before God’s face is totally lost. The influence of this atmosphere of life, engendered by this lack of awareness, does not pass by church attendees. That is, undoubtedly, also reflected in the way they experience the worship service.

Other factors which play a role are the interior design of the church, the quality of church music (playing of the organ, perhaps other instruments and choir, congregational singing), the place of the children in the worship service etc.

Within the context of this article, we must limit ourselves. Moreover, the weight of the latter factors is also dependent on personal preference, whereby we do not say that they do not matter or that everything should be left open to personal preference.

Knowledge of Procedure←⤒🔗

Knowing what you are doing is of importance for the experience of the worship service. That does not mean that an explanation must be given with every part. That could impede the experience. It also lays great importance on “understanding” whereas other aspects also play a role in experiencing — things such as feelings and emotions. As much as possible, I would like to avoid verbal explanations in the worship service itself, since they interrupt the order of the service and although they may further the understanding, they certainly do not further the experience. It is as if, in a story that should speak for itself, the storyteller gives all kinds of clarifying explanations, during which the thread and thrill of the story is certainly, completely lost.

Nevertheless, explanation can do no harm. Also providing the insight into the connection of the various parts, can further the involvement of the congregation and the power of the liturgical moment. Why does the profession of faith take place at that particular moment? Why is the collection at a certain time? What is the relationship of that particular psalm with what preceded it and with what is to follow? A printed order of the worship service which clearly lists the main parts of the worship service helps to clarify or give insight into the order of the service. Under each heading, a short explanation could be given. I would only give verbal explanations at the beginning of the service.

Ultimately, there is still much to do, both for the young and the old, in catechizing. Equipping people in this field is definitely not an unnecessary luxury, and there is a flood of literature available.

Personal Circumstances←⤒🔗

In their lives, people go through highs and lows. Happiness and sorrow succeed each other and determine the mood of the person. Worries, fears, and tension can build up in our minds in such a way that we are filled with them, preventing other impressions from outside of ourselves to gain access to our hearts. That is also valid for the impressions that come to us during the church service. Portions of text are caught up, imbed themselves or, at that moment, begin to lead their own lives. For example, the word “difficulty” or “sorrow” may be mentioned. There is the possibility that someone, who is experiencing personal problems and sorrow at that time, now pricks up his or her ears. They might think: “What is being said now is perhaps a word for me.” But then it can also be so that the rest of what is being said is not heard anymore, because the two words cause the heart and mind to be reminded and be conscious of the heaviness of their personal trouble and sorrow.

A person is not always in a mood to sing or hear a song of praise. Or, on the flip side, a person may be so hyped up that a song of lamentation is experienced as an annoying at that moment.

Also character, the way one was raised, education, and spiritual background play a role in the experiencing of the church service. Whoever is used to an archaic usage of language might be bothered by a language usage where the old expressions are expressed differently. Others will experience a feeling of estrangement in the church service when language is used that is totally different from the language one uses and hears every day. There are more of such issues. In anyway, personal circumstances can arise as hindrances which prevent parts of the service from being experienced or which even, perhaps, may cause irritation. It is good for us to be aware of that.

Situation in the World←⤒🔗

People are not individuals that stand alone. However large a role individualism has come to play in society, there are happenings that bring about a communal feeling of bewilderment. That feeling does not pass by church members and they take it with them into the church building on Sundays. To ignore that in the church service is a missed chance to allow people to be engaged with what is happening in the church service. I do not necessarily mean to say that the choice of text for the sermon must be adjusted according to the circumstances — although, in the presence of shocking events in the world, you cannot avoid saying something about them, all be it in a stammering manner. The hearts of the people are full of the event, and as worship leader, you may not just talk, disregarding the hearts and minds of the people. What I mean is this: let the situation of the world at that moment have a place in the worship service. We may bring the world and its needs before the countenance of God. Naturally, that will happen in the normal service of prayer. But, wouldn’t there, with deeply invasive happenings which so move the hearts and minds of the people, be the possibility of a separate liturgical moment in which all this is briefly poured out before the Lord? If that happens immediately at the beginning of the service, directly after the confession of trust and God’s greeting of peace, room is given for that which has brought the people into emotional confusion and the result is a certain release of tension. This does not do away with the confusion or anxiety, but that which weighed so heavily has then already been briefly expressed. In any case, that creates the possibility to engage in experiencing the rest of the worship service. That which could be a hindrance for people to be able to engage or “be with it” has already been expressed before the countenance of God.

What It Is Really All About←⤒🔗

Attention for the experiences of people has really increased. Commerce is focused on immediate experience and repeatedly asks, “What is in it for you?” Whether we like it or not, people who attend church are also affected by this trend of experience in our society. That means that the worship service in all its parts must also come under the scrutiny of experience.

In the end, it is about the content; what is said and what the meaning is of the things that form part of the worship service are important. However, for the experience, it is at least as important how things are said and done. Moreover, the “how” can offer an opening for a true meeting of the Holy Israel or can form an impediment. Assuredly, the Holy Spirit also knows how to reach people in ways that perhaps, in our eyes, are not valid, but that does not excuse us from the duty to seek ways that are as good as possible.

That which may not be forgotten in all our deliberations is that in the worship service, it is essentially about the Lord God who wants to meet with us and about the congregation which seeks this fellowship. It is a unique happening that requires a humble attitude from us. Praise, prayer for the service, forgiveness of sins, the preaching of the Word, gathering of gifts, sacraments, etc. are all parts which have a fundamental meaning in this meeting with God. Whoever takes part in this meeting, may, in the different parts of the service, also experience something that comforts, encourages, makes joyful, corrects, gives rest and peace to him or her, etc. When that takes place, it is not thanks to our well-organized liturgy in all its parts, but thanks to the Holy Spirit who was willing to use these. Therefore, we pray at the beginning of the worship service for the guidance of the Holy Spirit. That is not just incidental, but is of the utmost importance.

Are all parts of the liturgy experienced in the worship service? I would say that it is almost impossible, because that asks a big capability of concentration; circumstances and the mood of the people can differ greatly. It is comforting that that is not necessary, for the church is a communion of people who gather together before the countenance of God. Together they may experience something in and from the gathering. But the experience will be different for everyone. One will be touched by a passage in the sermon, another by the text or by the melody of a psalm, and yet another experiences singing together as extra special. Thus, you also need each other in experiencing the worship service and you complement each other. Liturgy can only be experienced in all its parts together with all the saints.