Trend 1: Atmosphere
A healthy church atmosphere should be welcoming. But what this means in terms of the physical space and the sensory experience of worship varies by community, generation and other demographics. However, one clear trend emerges (no pun here) in an attempt to use different lighting to create differing experiences. From candles to rock concert lighting techniques that may even include fog machines, disco balls, strobes, video integration and more, the high impact visual experience of worship is important in today’s culture.
Dr. Keith Drury, assistant professor of religion at Indiana Wesleyan University, writes that contrary to the bright lights of the Boomer generation’s typical worship experience, younger generations prefer a dimmer room that feels more private.
"Worship is not something to watch or listen to," Drury says. "For them it is something to sense." He lists more multi-sensory ideas for a worship atmosphere that appeals to younger people, such as mementoes to hold, scented candles or incense, or physical actions to perform.
Trend 2: Theology
Healthy churches should be in a constant state of evaluating why they are doing what they are doing to minister. Worship services require constant questioning about the underlying theology behind everything from song choices to seating arrangements and more. And since the seeker-friendly movement has made many congregations particularly attuned to the needs of people who experience their church for the first time during worship, the theology of reaching the lost is also a critical consideration for worship today.
Theology has led to some radical revisions of worship style and format, i.e. the Solomon’s Porch unplugged living room style service. Tony Jones, a leading spokesperson for the Emergent Church, says congregations shouldn’t sit staring at the back of people’s heads if they believe the gospel is about reconciliation.
"These are theological decisions," Jones told Emerging for Existing conference-goers in Denver last year.
Of course, a worship service is only one venue for expressing Christian faith. And the multi-faceted experience of following Christ cannot be condensed to fit into this usually programmatic piece of church. That said, theology should be an active part of the conversation among worship programming teams, musicians, leaders and others.
The tension between an excellent performance and a participatory and equalizing expression is often where theology and culture rub in today’s church worship trends. While a really good show is appealing for 21st Century Americans, belonging and participating are key aspects of biblical church culture. How that plays out in worship—especially with a nod toward what the visitors may think—is a common concern among worship leaders.
According to Sally Morgenthaler, consultant and author of "Worship Evangelism" (Zondervan 1996), for churches intent on appealing their worship service to a particular demographic "worship packaging (the image, the sound, the delivery) becomes everything, while the stuff of worship (what Jesus called 'spirit and truth' in John 4:24) becomes a memory." Morgenthaler encourages worship leaders toward both a culturally relevant and authentic worship experience. And lately, (as recently as Rev! Magazine’s May/June 2007 issue) she writes about how "worship must finally become, as Paul reminds us, more life than event (Romans 12:1-2)." That speaks to the earlier point about worship being only one part of the Christian life. Even if done well, with relevance and authenticity, it cannot be the only thing a church does.
Morgenthaler’s ideas on the panacea of worship have shifted lately. Again from Rev! she says, "When I wrote 'Worship Evangelism,' I'd had no intention of distracting people from the world outside. I only wanted to give them another way of connecting to it. I certainly had never meant to make worship some slick formula for outreach, let alone the one formula. I'd only wanted to affirm that corporate worship has the capability to witness to the unchurched if we make it accessible and if we don't gut it of its spiritual content on the way to making it culturally relevant."
Trend 3: Music style
George Barna’s latest research for his new book, "The Seven Faith Tribes," offers the best explanation I’ve heard lately for why the particular type of music used in church worship is often the biggest draw or the biggest turn-off for congregations.
As a foundation for his argument, Barna explores the social changes of America over the past 30 years and summarizes, among other effects, a shift from the common good to an emphasis on personal good. The change impacts churches by creating members who act like consumers evaluating churches according to their own tastes. It also impacts churches that become savvy marketing machines pandering to demographic segments. While targeting a particular market can be a good way to reach that group of people, catering to the runaway self-centeredness of American culture can make church-goers oblivious to others, as well as to serving in the church, to humility, and to a host of Christian spiritual disciplines.
However, the other side of the music style question is about cultural interface. How can churches today engage the culture—warts and all—if to do so contradicts the nature of Christian community? Well, there is music.
Kyle Campos, worship leader at Life Connection Church in Phoenix, and content manager for www.Ourrisingsound.com, blogged recently about the importance of continuing to try and hit a moving musical target in worship that compels current culture.
"The culture around you is moving creatively," Campos writes. "Music is not stagnant. If you stand still you make yourself increasingly irrelevant to the culture around you and isolated in your church bubble."
That said, Campos also acknowledges the inherent difficulty in pursuing the seemingly opposing paths in worship of attracting new people, making disciples and encouraging mature believers. He pushes churches to work through the stress of competing goals with courage.
"The tension between leading a congregation and staying relevant to culture musically and reaching the lost is intense," Campos writes, "and we shouldn’t ever shy away from it."
Most evangelical churches are stepping into the worship battle, if only for the sake of the younger generation. According to Drury, "Among evangelicals every generation seems compelled to make their worship styles reflect their generation's needs and tastes."
For more about worship trends see: Back stage: What's driving the top 5 worship trends, part two.
Check out Worship Leader Magazine’s link page for all the worship-related links you could ever want.
