Final Essay

For my final project I researched how worship has changed over the years and the reasons why it has changed. I read a book by William Willimon called Word, Water, Wine, and Bread: How worship has changed over the years. This book discussed different places of worship for not just different types of religions but for different branches of Christianity. For my interaction, I attended First Baptist Church of Trussville and The Basement. I compared these two services by worship, preaching, and just general atmosphere. I was trying to see why these places attracted certain age groups, and why certain people prefer certain worship services than others. One of the most interesting things I learned was probably that music pastors are taught to put a variety of types of worship in their services because it helps please people. Although, It does not always please everyone.
During the course of this project, I learned many things. Some things that are a factor in changing worship styles are things that I would not even think would be a part of it. One of the first things I learned was that the first type of worship was derived from chants that originated from Greek and Hebrew ceremonies. They added melody to the chants to put some kind of consistency to it, and the language was also changed so people knew what they were singing. A lot of worship is tradition, passed down from generations. I learned that Jesus preached against it because it help back the advancement of worship. He said we must move forward. My final opinion for this is just that. I think that we must keep moving forward. If we stay in one spot, in one state of worship, we will never be able to grow and get deep into worship. Even this generation is reforming worship into music that will attract younger people, instead of older music that older people like. The same thing will happen with this kind of worship. When my generation gets older and younger generations rise up, they most likely will not like this music. They will come up with their own ideas and theories of worship. It is a never ending cycle, and I believe it will never stop. I do not think it should stop.
For this project, I wish I would of done many things differently. First off, I would of tried harder to go to a different church to compare to The Basement. First Baptist was much different, of course, but I think if I would have gone to a Catholic church then I would have had a much better comparison. I also wish that I had gotten a better book to describe why some worship has changed, not just the different type of worship. What I did do, though, I believe it helped me better understand how and why it has changed.

Word, Water, Wine, and Bread

In the book Word, Water, Wine, and Bread: How Worship Has changed Over the Years by William H. Willimon, different types on worshiped on many different levels. In the chapters of this book, Willimon goes into great detail of different reforms of worship, including reformation in the sixteenth century, revivalists after the reformation, and how worship was during the Bible times. He discusses how Martin Luther nailed the Ninety-five Thesis on the church doors ordering reform of the church and the people. Luther said that during communion “the congregation should receive both the bread and the wine at each celebration” (65). Willimon states on page 109 that reform of worship did not come mainly from Europe but the United States. Baptism was also said to be one of the least reformed symbols of worship. One of the major differences now is that we do not take it as literal as it was in the Biblical times.
This book was a very interesting book. It showed me, not just how worship has reformed, but went into depth of how it use to be and how it has changed step by step. I got a good feel of how it was to be a Christian in the Biblical days and even in the sixteenth century with Martin Luther. This book gave the right information for someone who really wanted to learn more how it use to be.
The only thing that I did not like about this book is that, because William Wilimon went into so much detail, he did not descuss recent changes in worship. The research I did described more changes recently. I was looking forward to reading more about them. Although this was not the best book, it gave me a great insight into worship reform and why people wanted it to be reformed. If it had more information about more recent reforms, it would be an amazing book.

Willimon, William. Word, Water, Wine, and Bread: How worship has changed over the years. Valley Forge: Judson Press, 1980. Print.

My Live Interaction

For my live interaction, I visited The Basement that meets at The Church Of the Highlands. I compared it to the service at First Baptist Church of Trussville. These two services were completely opposite from one another. The Basement was more geared to younger kids who love rap and R&B. When you walk through the doors, you see strobe lights and hear loud music. The worship was up beat and everyone jumps around. Lets just say, an older person may not like this place of worship. On the other hand, First Baptist was more calm.The lights were up and the music was much softer. There was also a more diverse groups of ages. It seemed like a much more family church, like a typical Sunday morning church. The preaching was also different. Matt Pitt screams and gets excited about the things he talks about. He preaches about things that dont usually get put into the normal church service, like sex, drug, etc. The pastor at First Baptist was calmer and did not raise he voice at all. That day he preached about how to get closer to God. I've gone to church my whole life. This sermon is always being preached. I call it the safe sermon.
I learned that there are many different types of churches, worship, and preaching just in our town. I wish I would of gotten a chance to go to a much wider range of churches, but I got a good look into the difference in some worship. The Basement is a much modern type of worship, and First Baptist is not as modern as The Basement. Everyone also likes there own types, but some people like many types. I do have to say the both churches somewhat complimented each other. The Basement, although it is like a teen night club, also played slow worship music at the very end. First Baptist did the same thing. They played an upbeat song or two, but not as upbeat as The Basement. I saw some of the same people at The Basement that I did at First Baptist. This just shows that it can be good to have different types of worship. It can refresh you. Who needs screaming music all the time? If the only music you listened to was slow and quite, where would the excitment come from? It was interesting comparing the two services, but I wish I would of had a better chance of going to a completely different church to get a better comparison.

How to Worship... Or Not.

The video portrays the ridiculous form modern worship has taken on in some places. It shows that not all worship has evolved for the better; many denominations look down upon those who do not worship in the "correct manner" prescribed to their church. The video perfectly satirizes the expectations that some churches "invisibly" hold over the rest of their members, expecting them all to conform to their set style of worship.

I think this video is very important in showing what worship has evolved into in some social standards; it shows how we should not be, and what many other places are in danger of becoming. The video is an effective warning, showing what worship has become in some places. It's importance, the meaning behind the humor, is unparalleled. People need to open their eyes and see what worship has the potential of becoming, and run the other way.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3K4fveLQZZQ

Should Worship Change for the Wants of the People?

In Kim Linton's article, "Worship Style Guide", she discusses her issues with being a worship leader and trying to please everyone. Linton says that she has to realize the you can not please everyone when it comes to worship. There are to many types of worship to try to fit everyone into a worship service. She says she has to ask the questions "What moves you? What is God impressing upon you?" to herself. She is there to lead people, not to tell them what to do. God put certain leaders in her life to guide her, and she is there to guide others.
I agree with this source. Kim Linton should be responsible for choosing a type of worship for her church. Kim said that "the best worship leaders are open to all styles of music." No one would be happy if there was just one type of music to worship to.

Linton, Kim. "Worship Style Guide." Ministrymaker (2009): n. pag. Web. 14 April 2010.

In the video, it is shown what worship is and what it has become today. The video is very moving because it shows not only how it has evolved, but what it has evolved to mean. It shows that worship is not just about songs or bands or whatever else it may have evolved to. It shows the true point of all the worship - what it has really transformed into.

The beauty of the video is magnificent. It shows how worship has transformed through modern vessels into the contemporary show it has become today. However, it also shows more than just that. It shows how through all the changes, worship has still remained the same in function. Relating back to the "traditions" article, it shows viewers that no matter what face it takes on, worship will always be worship - pure homage to God. So, no matter what it may look like on the outside, never forget what worship is and what it really means.

http://video.yahoo.com/watch/413647/2398352

The Evolution of Worship

In the article,The Evolution of Worship: Why are young Christians, often seen as 'anti-tradition,' eagerly embracing liturgy?. Skye Jethani discusses the evolution or Christian worship and how it has been affected by tradition and traditionalism. He says "Traditionalism, on the other hand, is dead and static". He says that tradition is what feeds the Christian faith; it is what makes it grow stronger. Traditions must be passed on, they evolve to tailor the developing needs of the group they serve. Jethani talks about how Jesus himself preached against traditionalism. It holds back the advancement of worship, keeps it the same. His final message - we must move forward.

Jethani definition of the evolution of worship is quite revolutionary - his discussion of tradition in such a new and sensational manner is groundbreaking. The use of traditions is indeed what makes worship evolve; when old practices transform into new customs that can manifest in the most magnificent ways. Traditionalism (keeping the same practices for generations on end) is not what worship is about. Worship is about evolving, and changing, and praising in new ways every day. It's not the same old song and dance - it's a blooming flower.

Jethani, Skye. "The Evolution of Worship: Why are young Christians, often seen as 'anti-tradition,' eagerly embracing liturgy?." SkyeBox 2009: n. pag. Web. 7 Apr 2010.