At our recent Abbey Lock in we had 3 key times of worship when everyone was invited and encouraged to engage. In the feedback it highlighted for me the difficulty in leading and creating worship where everyone feels comfortable. One person wrote - the best thing was holding my candle and thinking about Jesus as the Light of the World. Same event, another person wrote under 'what would you change?' "Can't see the point of all that processing round with candles!" Others loved the choice of songs, yet others didn't know them so asked why we didn't use others.
How do we engage people in worship? How do we help people to recognise that us being happy does not make good or bad worship? That worship is first and foremost about God?
There are no easy answers, but we need to grapple with the reality. How do we look beyond ourselves and recognise God's presence in worship, whatever the style?
I'll keep looking, what do you have to say from your experience?
August posting:
On holiday this August we rented a cottage in Derbyshire, on changeover day, as the people taking it over from us were Ben & Julie Mizen, Children and Youth Adviser in another diocese, formerly a youth minister inSt Albans, we arranged to spend some time together. Ben and my eldest son, also Ben (who is a Youth worker/chaplain at a secondary school in Blackburn Diocese) got onto the subject of worship, including the context of within school. This was a long conversation, much to the annoyance of 3 wives, who should be used to it by now! We talked about the place of liturgy, music and how we create liturgy that is relevant to where young people are. The need to engage with them, not just produce stuff because it is the way we do it.
A load of resources were mentioned the favourite one seemed to be "The Book of Uncommon Prayer - Contemplative and celebratory Prayers and Worship Services for Youth Ministry" by Steven Case. I note that there is now a Book 2 out which has good reviews. Do check out under 'Recommended Resources' to find their details - and others too. A great resource are the loads of people in this diocese who go into schools for all sorts of reasons, including leading worship or RE lessons. What resources would you recommend? What are the key issues for you? Have you got some ideas you have developed yourself, then please share them.
We are very fortunate in the diocese to have some key organisations that work in schools. Luton Churches Education Trust (LCET), St Albans & Harpenden Education Project (STEP) to name just two that make a significant contribution. Out of LCET has grown http://www.schoolswork.co.uk and we are happy to partner with these organisations to encourage ministry into schools.
Share your resources here, and your thoughts on the shape of youth ministry and worship in schools.
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