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Some things change, some stay the same
If you have been to church this summer you know we are trying a few new things. With the
support of
Session and the worship committee we have decided to use June and July as a time to
begin implementing more ways of using our new sound system and technological
advances. The use of a long-throw projector and screen greatly enhance visual aids as well
as musical selections and power-point. Even so, we will vary little from our traditional
Sunday morning liturgy, some things change, some stay the same.
Some call this kind of worship “blended”, some-simply by the presence of a screen-may
think it is contemporary; others may call it a small step in the right direction. Whatever you
call-it the reality is clear-as Christians we are never to become overly at ease in our faith
life; which includes worship. Instead, we are always to be growing and developing into new
and more effective disciples of the Lord. A healthy church is about increasing
transformation not staying trapped in traditionalism. Thus, the changes that are taking place
in worship are but a part of ongoing spiritual revitalization within our church!
As many of you know I grew up in the Presbyterian Church. Thus, as a young boy I grew
accustomed to dark wood pews, pipe organs, large choirs, expansive sanctuaries within
the walls of hundred year old
castle-like buildings with pastors who preached from a high central pulpit while wearing a
dark black robe. My interest in traditional things remained strong well into my teen years as I
objected to popular music and instead found a love for singing in southern gospel style
quartets, playing in concert band, singing in choir, show-choir and musicals as well as
taking voice lessons and giving voice recitals.
However, once I went to college I developed new sensitivities to more modern styles of
worship. At First Presbyterian Church of McPherson I was given the responsibility of
forming and organizing a Praise Band. Although I still sang in the choir on Sunday mornings
I began to look forward to the more informal Saturday night service just as much and saw
God working well in both settings.
It is important to realize just how varied and diverse of a people we attempt to bring
together when we worship on Sunday morning; no two of us are exactly alike. Thus, if we
desire long-term growth we must be willing to move out of our comfort zones and find new
ways of communicating the message of confession, salvation and discipleship in the Lord. I
enjoy many styles of worship but-regardless of style-as your pastor I am much more
interested in the overall impact and potential for spiritual growth than appeasing people’s
favorite styles; worship should never be simply maintaining rituals.
It is crucial that all of us bring this kind of willingness to learn from others and flexibility to the
needs for style and structural change of not only our worship service but also our Christian
life as well. While I am not in favor of eliminating elements of worship that still have life in
them-with your support-beginning this summer we will be making lasting changes that will
enable our church to get the most out of its resources, reach new persons for Christ while
encouraging all of us to step out in faith for many years to come!
Pastor Nathan J. Loudon
If you have been to church this summer you know we are trying a few new things. With the
support of
Session and the worship committee we have decided to use June and July as a time to
begin implementing more ways of using our new sound system and technological
advances. The use of a long-throw projector and screen greatly enhance visual aids as well
as musical selections and power-point. Even so, we will vary little from our traditional
Sunday morning liturgy, some things change, some stay the same.
Some call this kind of worship “blended”, some-simply by the presence of a screen-may
think it is contemporary; others may call it a small step in the right direction. Whatever you
call-it the reality is clear-as Christians we are never to become overly at ease in our faith
life; which includes worship. Instead, we are always to be growing and developing into new
and more effective disciples of the Lord. A healthy church is about increasing
transformation not staying trapped in traditionalism. Thus, the changes that are taking place
in worship are but a part of ongoing spiritual revitalization within our church!
As many of you know I grew up in the Presbyterian Church. Thus, as a young boy I grew
accustomed to dark wood pews, pipe organs, large choirs, expansive sanctuaries within
the walls of hundred year old
castle-like buildings with pastors who preached from a high central pulpit while wearing a
dark black robe. My interest in traditional things remained strong well into my teen years as I
objected to popular music and instead found a love for singing in southern gospel style
quartets, playing in concert band, singing in choir, show-choir and musicals as well as
taking voice lessons and giving voice recitals.
However, once I went to college I developed new sensitivities to more modern styles of
worship. At First Presbyterian Church of McPherson I was given the responsibility of
forming and organizing a Praise Band. Although I still sang in the choir on Sunday mornings
I began to look forward to the more informal Saturday night service just as much and saw
God working well in both settings.
It is important to realize just how varied and diverse of a people we attempt to bring
together when we worship on Sunday morning; no two of us are exactly alike. Thus, if we
desire long-term growth we must be willing to move out of our comfort zones and find new
ways of communicating the message of confession, salvation and discipleship in the Lord. I
enjoy many styles of worship but-regardless of style-as your pastor I am much more
interested in the overall impact and potential for spiritual growth than appeasing people’s
favorite styles; worship should never be simply maintaining rituals.
It is crucial that all of us bring this kind of willingness to learn from others and flexibility to the
needs for style and structural change of not only our worship service but also our Christian
life as well. While I am not in favor of eliminating elements of worship that still have life in
them-with your support-beginning this summer we will be making lasting changes that will
enable our church to get the most out of its resources, reach new persons for Christ while
encouraging all of us to step out in faith for many years to come!
Pastor Nathan J. Loudon