Continuing to explore Len Sweet’s ideas of E.P.I.C. worship, and what that might look like at The Lab at TCU.
Participatory
One of the biggest disconnects in worship is the gap between those on the stage and those in the seats. We ask them to participate in worship, yet we really just want them to sing along with the songs we choose and listen to the message we’ve prepared. In most instances, “participation” really means pay attention and seek God in the ways we, as worship leaders, have provided. I’ve been a part of hundreds of worship services, and this always tends to look the same. My participation is judged by whether or not I sing along with the songs, or take notes during the sermon.
Good Participation
Poor Participation
Especially in the college context, as students are learning to think freely and constantly question, this seems to fall short. One thing we’ll constantly be searching out with The Lab is how to make our gatherings a truly participatory experience, where students are active and get to play a role in how the service takes shape, during the experience; not just in the planning. So, when we discuss community, rather than simply unpacking a passage in Acts, we’re going to join together for a meal, with intentional discussions and an environment that screams that the meal IS the message. When we discuss God’s redemption and reconciliation with all things, instead of just talking about it we’re going to set up laptops for students set to FreeRice.com and Tomsshoes.com so that they can actually participate in redemption during the discussion. Instead of messages where you are called to ONLY sit and listen, there will be opportunities for feedback, questions, comments in a variety of forms – written questions and answers that’ll be dealt with as able during the sermon, looking at ways to let students twitter their thoughts during the gathering (check out www.paratweet.com).
I have no idea whether or not these examples are going to be great and powerful experiences of God, or the biggest flop in the history of worshipping our creator, but I know this: We’ve got to find a way to let our congregations become more engaged – we’ve got to plan for spontaneity – we’ve got to be willing to let go of a little control, in order to shape a more meaningful experience. Join the conversation!
