I begin today with a Reference to The Calvin Institute for Christian Worship and their Ten Core Convictions and focus on our worship culture. Many people think about culture as where we are in society: example: "We live in the United States (American Culture) therefore, we should worship in a way that reflects our specific culture". Is this true? Should we only worship one way culturally? The following is the 5th of the Ten Core Convictions.
Worship should strike a healthy balance among four approaches or dimensions to its cultural context: worship is transcultural (some elements of worship are beyond culture), contextual (worship reflects the culture in which it is offered), cross-cultural (worship breaks barriers of culture through worship), and counter-cultural (worship resists the idolatries of its cultural context.
Do not be conformed to this world but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that you may prove what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect. (Rom. 12)
"You are the salt of the earth; but if salt has lost its taste, how can its saltiness be restored? It is no longer good for anything, but is thrown out and trampled under foot.” (Matt. 5:13)
They sing a new song: "You are worthy to take the scroll and to open its seals, for you were slaughtered and by your blood you ransomed for God saints from every tribe and language and people and nation; (Rev. 5:9)
Related Questions
- What aspects of our worship are transcultural?
- What aspects of our worship are inculturated?
- What aspects of our worship are cross-cultural?
- What aspects of our worship are countercultural?
- Which of these four approaches comes most naturally to our worshiping community?
- Which comes least naturally?
So I ask these questions about culture in your worship: What culture are you? What do your worship services emphasize regarding the aspect of culture?
Let's Discuss
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