The Word in Focus with Dr Larry Taylor

During Holy Week I did something new. I went to an Episcopal church each day and participated in all their services from Palm Sunday through Easter Vigil and Easter morning. I’m not used to robes and cassocks, kneelers and stations of the cross. 

I loved it.

I had almost no church affiliation or influence until I was an adult, then it was strictly “low-church;” in fact, most of my adult church-going life was churches where Sunday mornings went: Welcome, rock/folk band plays for 20-30 minutes, pastor (usually me) teaches for 45 minutes, band plays a final song, people come up front for prayer. No hymnals. Words to songs and outlines for sermons were projected on a big screen. Baptists and Methodists were considered too formal. 

Gradually, I’ve come to appreciate varied worship styles. I’ve learned that ritual done well is very powerful and liturgy rooted in ancient tradition can be profound. I appreciate those Baptists and Methodists (especially the African-American kind). I am moved by the Anglican Rites and the Roman Catholic Mass. I appreciate Eastern Orthodox traditions, but standing for three hours is a bit much for me. Lutherans, UCC, Presbyterian, Messianic, Reformed, Brethren, nondenominational – all fine with me.  I can even take Pentecostal if they don’t shout too loud.

Jesus prayed for unity among his followers. Liturgical unity isn’t possible at this stage of the game, but we can stop thinking our way is the only way and our church is the true church. We can visit faith communities of various traditions, learn from them, and appreciate them, and love their members.

The key to powerfully spiritual ritual, whether it’s the loose liturgy of a free-church or the ancient rites of the Orthodox, is the spirituality of the leader(s). If they are devout, sincere, loving followers of Christ, they can say the same words thousands of times and they still touch hearts. Regardless of whether the music comes from organs and choirs or a rock band, if it flows from hearts lifted up to heaven, it works. It’s not about doing things the “right” way, nor about deluding ourselves into thinking we are doing things most like the first century church. It’s about loving God, others, and creation wholeheartedly.

If you’re not locked into a church, or if you’re traveling sometime, visit some faith communities that are very different than what you’re used to. Go with an open heart and a teachable spirit. Don’t sit there judging. Worship the Lord of all. I bet you find it refreshing.