CALVIN INSTITUTE OF CHRISTIAN WORSHIP
WOR S H I P ABROAD HANDBOOK
CALVIN INSTITUTE
OF
CHRISTIAN WORSHIP
for the study and renewal of worship
CALVIN INSTITUTE
OF C HRISTIAN Publications
WORSHIP
Gather into One: Praying and Singing Globally (Eerdmans, 2003) One of the benefits of the multicultural nature of Christianity has been the introduction of the Western church to worship music from around the world. A unique resource, Gather into One demonstrates the spiritual riches to be gained through multicultural worship and makes a concrete contribution toward realizing the worldwide unity of the Christian Church.
Events include seminars, workshops, conferences, and festivals on campus, and off campus in places as far as Japan, China, and the Netherlands. Resources consist of an extensive collection of print and multi-media resources from over 45 countries listed on our website by continent. Visit our office off the library lobby (Hekman Library 315) to see our growing collection of traditional cultural instruments. Photo Gallery features 18 slideshows from around the globe, and an additional 10 slideshows of immigrant churches in West Michigan who worship in Cambodian Khmer, Korean, Laotian, Spanish, Swahili, and Vietnamese.
Visit our website: www.calvin.edu/worship/global/index.php Send e-mail to: anne.zaki@calvin.edu Call: 616-526-6088
One Bread, One Body: Exploring Cultural Diversity in Worship (The Alban Institute, 2003) In this book, Hawn seeks to help bridge the gap between the human tendency to prefer ethnic and cultural homogeneity in worship and the church’s mandate to offer a more diverse and inclusive experience. He offers a rainbow vision of the universal Church where young and old joyfully and thoughtfully respond to the movement of God’s Spirit in multicultural worship. Worship Seeking Understanding: Windows into Christian Practice (Baker, 2003) Worship Seeking Understanding mines the riches of biblical studies, theology, history, music, and pastoral research to provide windows into Christian worship practices. With this volume, Witvliet attempts to build bridges in three directions at the same time: between theory and practice, among various worship-related disciplines, and across denominational lines. For more publications visit: www.calvin.edu/worship
CALVIN INSTITUTE
OF
CHRISTIAN WORSHIP
WORSHIP ABROAD HANDBOOK Dear Worshiper, The Calvin Institute of Christian Worship (CICW) is dedicated to learning about worship from Christians in all places, deepening awareness of the breadth of the body of Christ, and promoting the unity of the Church worldwide. The aim of this “participant-observer” exercise is to help you become aware of the multiple levels of meaning in a given worship service and to stimulate reflection on the relationship between theology, culture, and worship practices. As you visit your chosen church, you are worshipers (participants) and you are amateur cultural anthropologists (observers). The goal is to have each role contribute to the other. If possible, please take 6-12 photos of architecture, furniture, art, preaching, the Lord’s Supper, baptism, congregational singing, praying, etc. Be sure to obtain permission prior to the service, and make every effort NOT to disrupt the service. (If you are part of a group visiting a service, please decide in advance which one of you will take photos.) With Gratitude, Anne E. Zaki Resource Development Specialist for Global Focus
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PERSONAL INFORMATION Name (optional): Home Country: If student, class level:
CHURCH VISIT INFORMATION Country: City: Name of Church: Denomination: Date & Time of Worship Service: Contact Person at Church: Contact Information (email):
Photos and information provided in this handbook may be posted on the Calvin Institute of Christian Worship website www.calvin.edu/worship
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SPACE Worship and worship space are linked in a vital relationship. Space expresses the Church’s faith and serves God’s mission. 1. What does the outside of the worship space look like?
2. What does the inside of the worship space look like?
3. Where is the font? Where is the table? Where is the pulpit? What other “furniture” or symbolic objects are present?
4. Is this similar or different from your home church? How?
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STRUCTURE/ORDER A worshiping community is renewed by an informed examination of the patterns and actions of liturgy. 1. What is the sequence of actions? Is it fixed or spontaneous?
2. What is the sequence of actions at your home church? Are there variations in the order? If yes, who is responsible for these variations?
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COMMUNITY Worship is an expression and an experience which involves the entire Church. 1. What is the general composition of the assembly (number, age, gender, race, etc.)?
2. What roles are expected from and exercised by the different age, gender, and racial groups? Is any group excluded from certain roles? Why?
3. How does the worship service reflect a sense of community? For example, how do people occupy space, pray, pass the peace, share testimonies, etc?
4. Is this similar or different from your home church? How?
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PARTICIPATION Since worship is an expression of the entire Church, the active participation and involvement of the congregation is necessary. 1. What mode of participation is required of worshipers: Silent meditation? Physical action? Mental action? Active singing? Other?
2. What emotions are expressed? What stimulates them?
3. How many distinct liturgical actions are there in which worshipers are called to engage (e.g., praise, confession, prayers, scripture reading, etc.)?
4. How is the collection/offering done? Who does it?
5. Is there a children’s message during the service? Are there other forms of children’s participation?
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LANGUAGE Worship is not simply expressed in words. A worshiping community is renewed by the verbal and non-verbal expressions of the liturgy. 1. Who speaks? Is the language vernacular (language of the common people)?
2. Is the language conversational or stylized? Spontaneous or written out?
3. How is scripture reading done? By whom?
4. How is prayer done? By whom?
5. How is God addressed? Father/Jesus/Spirit? Transcendent/ personal? Male/Female?
6. Is this similar or different from your home church? How?
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HOSPITALITY Worship witnesses to the gospel in ways that challenge destructive patterns within society and affirms justice, peace, and hospitality. 1. Are there greeters at the doors? A visitor’s fill-in form?
2. As a visitor, did you feel warmly welcomed or uncomfortable? Why?
3. Is there a printed order of service? If yes, is it helpful to visitors?
4. Are visitors invited to communion? If so, how?
5. What does your church at home do to make visitors feel welcome and included?
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MUSIC, ART & TECHNOLOGY Liturgical art animates the life and faith of the community. A proper understanding of the relationship of worship to the arts contributes to our experience of the Divine. 1. Are instruments used in worship? Which ones?
2. Who leads worship: Pastor? Band? Choir? Dancers? Worship team? Are groups multigenerational?
3. Are visual arts present or used in worship? How? When?
4. Is technology used in worship? How? When?
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CULTURAL INFLUENCE Worship relates dynamically to culture. God’s mission is served when attention is given to cultural expressions of faith and when worship accommodates a variety of such expressions. 1. Are cultural traditions reflected in the worship service? Which ones? How?
2. Do you see any non-local influence in the way people worship? If yes, give specific examples.
3. Is your worship service at home influenced by the culture? How?
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THEOLOGY Worship is both a venue for and a reflection of theological convictions. 1. What does the worship service imply about: A. Who God is? And what God is like?
B. What the Church is? And what the Church is like?
C. What salvation is? And who salvation is from and for?
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NOTES
If you would like this handbook returned to you, please include your name and address below: Name: Address: Telephone:
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CALVIN INSTITUTE
OF
CHRISTIAN WORSHIP
for the study and renewal of worship
CALVIN INSTITUTE
OF C HRISTIAN Publications
WORSHIP
Gather into One: Praying and Singing Globally (Eerdmans, 2003) One of the benefits of the multicultural nature of Christianity has been the introduction of the Western church to worship music from around the world. A unique resource, Gather into One demonstrates the spiritual riches to be gained through multicultural worship and makes a concrete contribution toward realizing the worldwide unity of the Christian Church.
Events include seminars, workshops, conferences, and festivals on campus, and off campus in places as far as Japan, China, and the Netherlands. Resources consist of an extensive collection of print and multi-media resources from over 45 countries listed on our website by continent. Visit our office off the library lobby (Hekman Library 315) to see our growing collection of traditional cultural instruments. Photo Gallery features 18 slideshows from around the globe, and an additional 10 slideshows of immigrant churches in West Michigan who worship in Cambodian Khmer, Korean, Laotian, Spanish, Swahili, and Vietnamese.
Visit our website: www.calvin.edu/worship/globalres/index.htm Send e-mail to: anne.zaki@calvin.edu Call: 616-526-6088
One Bread, One Body: Exploring Cultural Diversity in Worship (The Alban Institute, 2003) In this book, Hawn seeks to help bridge the gap between the human tendency to prefer ethnic and cultural homogeneity in worship and the church’s mandate to offer a more diverse and inclusive experience. He offers a rainbow vision of the universal Church where young and old joyfully and thoughtfully respond to the movement of God’s Spirit in multicultural worship. Worship Seeking Understanding: Windows into Christian Practice (Baker, 2003) Worship Seeking Understanding mines the riches of biblical studies, theology, history, music, and pastoral research to provide windows into Christian worship practices. With this volume, Witvliet attempts to build bridges in three directions at the same time: between theory and practice, among various worship-related disciplines, and across denominational lines. For more publications visit: www.calvin.edu/worship
CALVIN INSTITUTE OF CHRISTIAN WORSHIP
WOR S H I P ABROAD HANDBOOK