I’ve been thinking and reading a lot on liturgical worship lately, and I’m realizing more and more how this deep approach to community worship is lacking in our “relevant” & “modern” approaches.

I grew up Southern Baptist… and I am really thankful for my up-bringing and the heritage I come from. Though it definitely has it’s failings, I was taught the Bible like you would never believe! And I was raised by parents who lived out their faith and prayed like crazy! And I never heard language associated with liturgy or the Christian Calendar. I was never subjected to dark, reflective spaces, candles, the Book of Common Prayer, or any other ancient rituals that compelled you to pray with your whole body.

Now Baptists definitely have their own rituals and language, but that’s another conversation. =)

In hindsight, perhaps I would not have the appreciation for liturgical worship I do now had I grown up with it. Over-exposure to anything tends to create baggage. Still, I feel like I missed out on something.

One who is not familiar with liturgical worship (like me) could tend to think that anything having to do with “ritual” in church is about as exciting as watching paint dry. Plus, we’re all about “out of the box” worship…and yet “liturgy” could easily pass as the biggest, oldest box in the room! We’re supposed to be moving forward, not backward! Right?!

You already know where this is headed. And of course, the argument can be made that the “grass is always greener on the other side.” And I wouldn’t argue with that. Church culture is an ever swinging pendulum driven by lust & desire for what’s on “the other side.” We never seem to be satisfied, so we keep filling that gaping black-hole in our hearts with the latest toys, gimmicks & trends (& liturgies) instead of the One Who Satisfies.

But what I’m learning with “liturgy” and “modern worship” is that there can be a fresh, contextualized “both/and” approach. It’s not about forsaking the old, but adding onto it and taking what you are already doing to a deeper place. And I’m not talking about a “blended” approach either, where you strive to keep a balance in order to please everyone, resulting in a water-down experience of ancient chanting, a few hymns, then followed up by some contemporary music to attract the “young people.”  What I’m talking about & have experienced myself is a passion-fueled, artistic & theologically rich narrative of worship that breathes life into my soul and opens my eyes to the mysteries of the Unseen God. Something that goes way beyond the popular yet shallow liturgy of a few pop-worship songs & a feel good sermon about better living.

“It’s about learning to worship in ‘spirit and in truth.’ The uncomfortable truth is that ‘the way we worship and pray is the way we believe is the way we live’ (or, in Latin, if you prefer: Lex orandi, lex credendi, lex vivendi.)” – Glenn Packiam on the liturgy

Don’t even get me started on visual worship & how this applies to our eyes & what we see. ;-)

I wish I could put into words what it was like when I celebrated the Eucharist with a room full of worship pastors, artists & mentors last year. Ian Cron was leading our retreat, which culminated in one of the richest & most moving times of Communion I’ve ever had. Words simply cannot begin to describe it. Like visual worship, the power of liturgical worship (when curated & led well) can’t be described with words or even pictures; it can only be experienced.

And for the curious of us that are leading others, it’s best to first experience liturgy for ourselves and get some familiarity before leading it out. This applies to everything. So I want to introduce to you what I’m calling “the gateway drug” for liturgy.  =)

Aaron Niequist, Willow Creek’s worship pastor, has been working on a project, a series of EPs called “A New Liturgy.” These are 25-minute journeys of worship, prayer and meditation. “A worship experience for people who don’t always connect with ‘worship music.’ A moveable sanctuary. A sonic tabernacle. A New Liturgy.”

“A New Liturgy is our attempt to create holy space wherever we find ourselves.
A moveable, sonic sanctuary.  Released quarterly, each Liturgy is a 25 minute journey of music, prayer, scripture, and space that helps open us to The Almighty in any location, season, or emotion.  I really need this.”

I really need this, too!

Through these experimental projects, Aaron has introduced me to a unique way of worship, which has opened my eyes even wider to what liturgy is about.

While in Dubai, I’ve not attended any church services! No, not one. It’s been way over a month since I’ve done the typical Sunday morning thing. And this has been really good for me. But  “A New Liturgy” has helped fill the gap & as a result has deepened my worship expression. I love taking it up on our villa’s rooftop, sitting in the sun, and praying through this project.

Though it’s designed to be listened through for personal worship, I would love to see this led in a live communal setting. I think it could be really powerful. (I triple-dog dare somebody to do this!)

Aaron has released two EPs so far: “Our God Is Love” & “Blessed to Be a Blessing.” 

UPDATE: No. 3 “Lord Have Mercy” is NOW AVAILABLE!

Whether you are into “liturgy” or not, I highly recommend buying these and letting Aaron & his band lead you through something unique & beautiful that truly engages your soul.

There are a few artists, pastors & prophets who also are writing about & creating fresh approaches to liturgy. If you are curious & want to explore the rabbit-hole a little further, then follow these breadcrumbs:

Russ Ware – a worship pastor & curator from Colorado who writes about liturgy, sacramentality & the power of the Christian Calendar. He sums it all up really nicely & writes from an outside perspective looking in. (He’s also Camron Ware’s brother!)

Glenn Packiam – former member of Desperation Band & a pastor at New Life Church in Colorado Springs, Glenn is leading NLC’s Sunday Night gathering, which follows a liturgical narrative. He writes about what they do & why they do it: “Do the Words We Use in Worship & Prayer Really Matter?” + “On the Theology of Our Worship Services”

Ian Cron – an Anglican priest who is a friend to misfits & exiled artists has penned some amazing works that explore the beauty of liturgy and Catholicism, namely “Chasing Francis” & “Jesus, My Father, The CIA, & Me.” He also leads retreats & travels to various churches, taking them through rich experiences of Communion. Check out what he did at Willow Creek recently.

Rob Bell – who needs no introduction, recently wrote an article on the Church Calendar for Relevant Magazine this December titled “It’s Not Christmas Yet.”

Musical Artists: If you’re like me, then everything has a soundtrack. Like Aaron, a few, well-known artists have structured their latest albums in a liturgical fashion. The Brilliance is exploring the Christian Calendar in a series of EPs. David Crowder*Band’s “Give Us Rest” is a long, Catholic funeral mass (who thought a funeral mass would go #1 on iTunes!) Gungor is described as “post modern, liturgical rock,” and you can definitely hear it in their projects, which follow a narrative arc.  Matt Maher is really the original “modern liturgical worship leader,” & you should check out his free “Communion” project. These albums take you on a journey; they tell a story. And unlike most albums today, they are not simply a collection of singles. They are best listened through, not simply listened to. I would love to see more churches take the same approach: worship as narrative.

Oh, how I long for our churches to experience deeper, richer encounters with the God our worship!