Worship Unplugged # 10 EPIC Worship

The reality of our western society and worldview is that we live in postmodern times.
[We could insert links here to literally hundreds of articles, authors, websites]
What does this mean... If you're still reading this post you would get the basics that for younger/many people in our society:
*There is skepticism about the idea of absolute truth [which I think is more a skepticism about anyone claiming to have hold of 'the truth']
*This effects peoples perspectives on meta narratives [big overarching stories]ie. If that works for you that's OK for you... I see it differently [or] as long as you're not trying to 'shove it down my throat'.
*Institutions are mistrusted or questioned as to their relevance and so the church is not central to society but more a minority activity on the fringes
*Interestingly though, the last National Church Life Survey highlighted 12% of the population who had tried to 'get into' a church at some time over a five year period and had failed.
*There is an obvious hunger for spirituality and its experiences its just that many would be surprised to hear that the church might be a place to go and foster it.

Leonard Sweet and others have tried to point to the kind of worship required for people from the current younger western generations and uses the acronyms EPIC!!
E = experiential
P = participatory
I = interactivity or image driven
C = connectedness or community

E is about the vibe, feel or experience of God or faith... Not just intellectual propositions or passive participation. Most often this opens up non-linear worship [ie. Not necessarily enter, hear, respond, sent but a more organic development out of life related`experiences and activity]

P means involvement of a range of people in visioning, planning and leadership of experiences. Paid or ordained leaders become facilitators of others gifts and skills.

I reminds us about being a visual culture where the 15 minute 3 points and story homily is one limited method of conveying information in relation to the Word of God.

C recognises that its real connections in relationships with integrity, not just appeals to commitment.

'pumphouse' will continue to be a place where EPIC ideas and possibilities are explored. We don't have all the answers now nor is all the argument and persuasion as to its importance contained here!!

The good news is that EPIC:
*affirms the power and role of good stories
*relates to a generation who don't know the Christian meta-narrative rather than one which has rejected it
*is creative and engaging
*is limited only by your definition of worship and your imagination within that
*tradition is not the problem... empty unexplained practice is...

www.leonardsweet.com
www.epictivity.com