St John’s and St Martin’s at home discussion
Feb/March 2015
Worship: an open and shut case?
Read article “Opening Worship” by Craig Bowman in Reform, Feb 2013
What does it mean for worship to be inclusive?
Isn’t the truth we all find our exclusivity quite reassuring?
Language
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Do we speak a language that is recognisable? (it’s not all about gender!) What
about that Sunday voice!
How accessible is our worship to those who struggle with words, whose approach is
less cerebral, much less wordy? (In the beginning was the word…not a very helpful
start!)
We assume all people can read, and write…or enjoy reading and writing…really?
Music
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We assume all people are musical...and if they are, like our kind of music!
The Brit awards: What are they…do we care…should we?
Why is our hymn singing so…poor? Does there come a point when standing up to
sing hymns no longer fits the needs of older people for whom standing to sing is
awkward? Use of a screen to project words and lift necks and voices?
We have a wonderful musical heritage in our country…does our worship reflect this?
Community
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Does our worship evolve from the community?
Do we reflect the community (the whole community?) Are we restricting worship
to a Christian view of things…why? Do I worship because I am a Christian? Or a
human?
Would worship that is more spiritual, less dogmatic attract more people…and God?
What space do we make in our worship for the stranger? (Ruth…your God will be
my God)
If time permits:
How do we embrace those whose lives are an emotional living hell?
What about worship for those living with Alzheimers…lost cause?
Are we assuming all this worship happens on Sunday? Why?
Pews…don’t they say it all? Really 