Categories: uncategorized
Date: 22 September 2008 11:07:57
As regular readers will be aware I have recently moved denomination, atleast on a temporary basis. For me it's been more of a psychological than actual upheaval. In reality there are few differences between the general content in terms of most of the songs / hymns being familiar and having similar "outreach" programmes and types of sermon theme. There are differences though, some positive and some negative.
The positive changes are:
1) Acknowleging the use of litergy. I am realising the Baptists do use quite a bit of litergy but they just don't call it that. The communion services contain very similar elements in places. However, there is more shared litergy in the CofE. Where as in Baptist churches much of it is contained in the ministers ickle red book and just used by them unless they go for a "shared responsive reading" in the CofE there is much more shared interaction through their use of litergy. That's something I find useful, particularly as my headspace at the moment means I'm in no position to be analysing my feelings about the litergy. Also I like the way the church I'm going to is tayloring the litergy according to the congregation. In the service for "families" I go to at silly o'clock in the morning the confession is child friendly and quite cool. In the student friendly service I go to at almost silly o'clock in the evening the litergy is presented in a visually attractive way and has a v. stylish type feel to it.
2) The way that more people seem to be doing stuff. I know in Baptist churches it's not just the minister and maybe the worship leader. However, the hymn sandwich can make it seem like after the first 15 mins it's just the minister. The new place has many more people getting up and down, smoothly at different points and a couple of people sitting up front.
The negative changes are:
I'm not familiar with the words and responses yet. What seems natural to many in terms of knowing what to say when isn't something I'm clear on yet.
Feeling like I've lost touch with a part of me. I can't explain it but being in a BUGB affiliated church, with it's however subtle links to Home Mission, BMS etc have a comforting feel to me.
The weekly celebration of communion. I'm used to celebrating it once a month in the mornings and once a month in the evenings if I'm there. There's also the issues of proper wine and having to go up the front rather than having a Ribenna type substitute bought to you at your seat. Somehow it all seems so much more organised and individualised. I miss everybody drinking the wine together, as though it were a shot, in order to signify their fellowship together.