Dr. Kenneth E. Jones, Editor

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Bishop Charles L. Helton, Chairman

February 2005

The Editor’s Page

Worship is a Serious Matter in the CME Church

I think that when it comes to the question of whether there is one true, uniform type of worship experience in Christian Methodism, the answer is probably a resounding No! Yet, loyal, traditional CMEs may agree that there ought to be some aspects of worship, primarily guided by our agreed upon ritualistic expressions, that should be found in any corporate worshipping under the identity of CME. Yes, I think there is something called worshipping as CMEs. The problem, however, is that as we move further into this new millennium, we are challenged as a denomination to consider the influence of disparate and increasingly unfamiliar, even formless worship on our tradition. In one sense, we are very concerned about what many of us perceive as the negative influence of these different forms of worship. We see them loosely as “Pentecostal” or “ holiness” or “nondenominational” expressions that are inconsistent with what we are used to seeing and doing when we show up for church on Sunday mornings. Some CME ministers even advocate throwing out the usual Order of Worship altogether. And others have almost fully embraced other forms that they see as unilaterally “better” or “more spiritual” than ours.

With all that said, I think it is important that the recently concluded Pastors’ Conference in Atlanta explored the worship experience in the local CME Church theologically with the purpose of helping us know what worship is and reigniting a sense of true and fulfilling worship in general with implications for the specifics of our denomination.

The worship experience is a sensitive issue regardless of the denomination. And it certainly is a touchy subject with us. There is probably a prevailing unspoken ideal in the CME Church that the worship experience is the real essence of “church”. And when we start moving around and changing worship, folk can get really upset. The slightest move can create controversy-the altar call, the announcements, and so on. And, please, don’t mess with the choir. A new pastor is definitely in for a fight in some churches when the music in worship is changed.

One of the things that came out of the Pastors’ Conference was a call to reject the tendency toward the superficiality of worship. In other words, there are underlying theologies associated with worship that, if explored, can help deepen our overall worship experience. As I see it, the goal of such a notion would be to develop a healthy perspective for the worship experience in the general context of our relationship with God. Somewhere in the middle of that relationship should be a sense of linkage between worship and our responsibility to witness, evangelize, and do ministry. Part of what I heard at the Pastors’ Conference would suggest that worship and praise ought to serve as a catalysis in our godly lives. They should provide energy (fuel) for the ensuing tasks at hand. That is, among other things, worship and praise should continually empower us to Go! Changing demographics of the communities in which we find CME churches, a continual concern for our spiritual well being (including young adults and youths), and the desire to pump fresh blood into our traditional ways of worshipping are good reasons to make worship a centerpiece for discussion. Whether or not you attended the Pastors’ Conference, any church can benefit from spending some time to examine ways to build an authentic and effective worship-because worship should never be taken for granted, or taken lightly.

Rev. Kenneth E. Jones, D. Min., Ph. D., Editor