Contemporary evangelical worship is the latest iteration of revivalism/campaign evangelism. D. L. Moody had Ira Sankey, a songwriter who used the contemporary forms of his day to gather a crowd so Moody could preach to the masses. Moody inherited this from the Methodist Camp Meetings and the pattern continued with Billy Sunday/Rodeheaver through Billy Graham/Cliff Barrows. How different is this from what happened in the Jesus movement and now with the mega church thing?
Evangelists left “regulated worship” for their outreach gatherings but did not plan on these gatherings to become the church. But these gatherings did become the church and continue to be. The model of star preacher plus song leader using the popular musical vernacular of the day has a history of at least 150 years.
If we returned to the basic outline of Christian worship, centered on prayer, lectionary, preaching, and Eucharist, with psalmists being servants to that structure rather than the other way round, it would solve so much. We need to return to having Jesus being the star as he is revealed to us in the word and sacrament, not the preacher or worship band.
Thank you for your feedback Bill! Your question, "How different is this from what happened in the Jesus movement and now with the mega church thing?" Is really key. I do not think this is any different. I don't think Moddy and Sankey is anything different. The key I'm suggesting is that all of those movements of the last 150 years are actually built on the same political economy of the broader culture. That's why it keeps happening and has similar pieces. What you are suggesting in the return to the "basic outline of Christian worship" is part of what I believe is necessary to resisting the political economy we live in and assume to be natural and normal. I don't know if that makes sense in this short space, I'm going to be writing a lot more on that this summer. Your question is very helpful for that!
Andrew, no notes. This is so well done. I had to just pause a couple times because I think you saying what needs to be said. I appreciate the depth in how this affects the local church and the real local people.
I loved the language you used: “Be a local psalmist”. I love this for those in the gifting of ministering in worship and I love this for every person because I think every follower of Jesus should be allowing themselves to be formed by the psalm and how it becomes infused into their own life of prayer.
These reflections are really helpful, Andrew. It is constant wrestle as a worship pastor to choose songs that tell the whole story (including the suffering) while also knowing I’m working with amateur musicians who work full time jobs outside of the church, Sunday is always coming, and everyone is expecting to sing something familiar when they show up. I really love Mission House worship songs to help bring us where we want to go.
Contemporary evangelical worship is the latest iteration of revivalism/campaign evangelism. D. L. Moody had Ira Sankey, a songwriter who used the contemporary forms of his day to gather a crowd so Moody could preach to the masses. Moody inherited this from the Methodist Camp Meetings and the pattern continued with Billy Sunday/Rodeheaver through Billy Graham/Cliff Barrows. How different is this from what happened in the Jesus movement and now with the mega church thing?
Evangelists left “regulated worship” for their outreach gatherings but did not plan on these gatherings to become the church. But these gatherings did become the church and continue to be. The model of star preacher plus song leader using the popular musical vernacular of the day has a history of at least 150 years.
If we returned to the basic outline of Christian worship, centered on prayer, lectionary, preaching, and Eucharist, with psalmists being servants to that structure rather than the other way round, it would solve so much. We need to return to having Jesus being the star as he is revealed to us in the word and sacrament, not the preacher or worship band.
Thank you for your feedback Bill! Your question, "How different is this from what happened in the Jesus movement and now with the mega church thing?" Is really key. I do not think this is any different. I don't think Moddy and Sankey is anything different. The key I'm suggesting is that all of those movements of the last 150 years are actually built on the same political economy of the broader culture. That's why it keeps happening and has similar pieces. What you are suggesting in the return to the "basic outline of Christian worship" is part of what I believe is necessary to resisting the political economy we live in and assume to be natural and normal. I don't know if that makes sense in this short space, I'm going to be writing a lot more on that this summer. Your question is very helpful for that!
Andrew, no notes. This is so well done. I had to just pause a couple times because I think you saying what needs to be said. I appreciate the depth in how this affects the local church and the real local people.
I loved the language you used: “Be a local psalmist”. I love this for those in the gifting of ministering in worship and I love this for every person because I think every follower of Jesus should be allowing themselves to be formed by the psalm and how it becomes infused into their own life of prayer.
Many many thoughts.
Thank you for reading and for your feedback Mallory!
Yes and amen!!
These reflections are really helpful, Andrew. It is constant wrestle as a worship pastor to choose songs that tell the whole story (including the suffering) while also knowing I’m working with amateur musicians who work full time jobs outside of the church, Sunday is always coming, and everyone is expecting to sing something familiar when they show up. I really love Mission House worship songs to help bring us where we want to go.
Thanks for reading Sarah. I’ve heard of Mission House, I’ll have to give them a listen!
Their album Family Nights Vol. 2 is probably my favorite
So well done. Excellently written and compelling.
Thanks for reading Luke!
This is excellent Andrew.
Thanks for reading Kenny, I hope it was helpful! We definitely should try and connect sometime this summer on this subject.
I would love that. I learn something new every time I read your writing, particularly on the worship industry/complex/world.
(Also the Foucault footnote… brilliant… I am a nerd)
It warms my heart when I hear people read footnotes. 😂
From one nerd to another 🤣🤣