Extreme Worship

One of my goals for sabbatical is to experience a wide range of worship styles. Last Sunday, I worshipped with New Journey Church, where Logan is Minister to Youth. And I had a great time worshipping in a contemporary style, led by worship band and praise team, with the preaching of Darrell Boggs. I wrote previously of my admiration for the congregation that performs an elaborate set-up every week in an elementary school for worship and Bible Study.

Yesterday, I visited a service of worship which was unlike any I’d ever visited before. The River Road Church, Baptist, in Richmond is a congregation of highly educated, typically affluent folks, located west of downtown Richmond on River Road. Some would say (with some disdain) that RRC,B is high church. I would say they are definitely more liturgical than any Baptist Church that I’m aware of, but the worship was so well-led and orchestrated, and for me, it was a powerful encounter of the God that transcends all styles and forms.

I’m well aware that this is not the “way to go” for most, and I can’t say for sure that I would find it meaningful week in and week out, but I want to share some of the ways that the elements of worship, and particularly the liturgical rhythm of movement and flow, helped me yesterday to see God.

Even if this ancient form of worship doesn’t “float your boat”, you surely would be impressed by the beauty and style of the sanctuary at River Road. On entering the elegant and tastefully decorated center of worship, one’s eyes are immediately drawn to the end of a split chancel, pointing to a magnificent stained glass window, in bright and deep shades of blue. I’m guessing that the chancel is 1/3 as long as the congregational pew area. The choir sits on both sides, facing in, and below the window is the altar table, with 4 tall candles on bronze pedestals, surrounding a simple bronze-looking cross. The lecturn to the right is used for scripture reading and prayer, and the “pulpit”, elevated high above to the left, has a winding staircase for access (this is one of many places that reveals that I am liturgically challenged, as I'm sure it has a name other than pulpit).

The music, of course, is led by the organist on pipe organ, and since there’s not a piece of carpet or material in the décor, music resounds from the walls and fills the room completely,. There was no solo, and no one “got in the way” of one's view of the cross while singing.

One of the things that impressed me about the style was the use of the candles to mark the beginning and the conclusion of worship. A young man in robe entered and ceremoniously, but not pretentiously, lit the altar candles at the back of the chancel, and this marked the “entrance” of God. It was a way, at least for me, to acknowledge that everything that happened after that, happened with an awareness that God was present. At the end of the service, after the benediction, the flames were, again ceremoniously, extinguished, and only then did we leave the room.

I was also very aware of the offering, and though I did not give on this particular Sunday in this particular service, I felt I was part of it. For as the ushers came forward, after receiving the offering, plates were passed to two of the pastors, who then carried them toward the back of the chancel, and the choir facing inward turned with them as they walked by, turning to the cross on the altar table. On reaching the altar, and still facing it, the pastors lifted the plates above their heads, as the choir and congregation sang, “Praise God from whom all blessings flow.”

The last thing I would mention is the baby dedication. It was in the middle of the service, and there were three baby boys who were brought by parents. What impressed me was the attention and time given to this very personal element of worship. It was a distraction, for me, from congregational worship, and at the same time, it was a wonderful affirmation of the responsibility of parent and church in the nurture and admonition of children. Each family chose a “life verse” for their child, and that verse was read by an Associate Pastor as the child was presented. And then, in the middle of this great worship experience, the Sr. Pastor took each child, one at a time, of course, and talked to him, and introduced him to the church. Perhaps most impressive, was the fact that this high experience of worship was “allowed” to be interrupted by kids, just as Jesus asked his disciples to let little ones “interrupt” him.

I know this type of worship isn’t for everyone, just as New Journey’s worship isn’t for everyone. But for me, it was a powerful experience in which I encountered the God who is Lord of Life, and Lord of all. And I believe what was presented to him last Sunday at River Road Church was our “highest” worship for his “utmost” praise.

AMEN!
rick