For: The Institute Of Contemporary And Emerging Worship Studies, St Stephen’s University, Essentials Blue Online Worship Theology Course with Dan Wilt.
Spending what should have been 15 minutes watching Dan Wilt’s video on Rise of the Worship Artisan, actually turned into 2 and a half hours. I have not heard so many things worth writing down in quite some time, nor skipped back so much to catch every word. In a way I am looking to express how my world view is slowly changing, as I interact with this content. With that being said, here are some of my thoughts and even some questions. Because as we all know, when we are looking for answers, we sometimes end up with more questions.
There is a lot of new ground in the content of this article, new words, ideas, and vision for us in the present that should propel us forward and leave a weightier and more colorful tapestry for generations to come (as Dan talks about). One of the key elements I have passion for is that if this vanguard of worshippers, worship leaders and creative people is to forge ahead and form a legacy, it needs to be at least in part coupled with a focus on social justice. There will be no substance, or relevance unless there in the pushing ahead of the Vanguard leaves a wake of people who are rescued from injustice, and lives are changed and transformed through the mighty saving power of God (which it is this saving power that exists in the simple retelling of the gospel! 1 Cor 2:1-5). Maybe that goes without saying.
There has been some skepticism on my part of jumping in the water, without checking how deep it is first. I have found myself thinking, what is wrong with the story, the language, that we have now? What have we missed? How much of this seemingly romanticized story/world view/expression leaves room for the acknowledgment that God works outside of man?
But as I read more and more, I found that something Dan said about this emerging language, terminology, this Creation Theology, giving us a new way to describe the story. At times it does sound like things get lost in the sameness of language that we (the church) are used to; and we miss that widening scope of understanding theological truths in new ways. I am ready to give voice to an emerging worship experience; I desire a fuller, more encompassing horizon for Worship- corporately and individually.
I was really happy that Dan mentioned a lot of practical training and areas that Worship Artisans need intentional development in. I also like the fact that it is recognized that each one will bring their own uniqueness to the worship experience, or Liminal Engagement (Ha! I love that word. I had to use it). For me this is a kind of instilling, of core theology, discipline, and practical authenticity; in order that we see worship in it’s expansive nature as everyday life, and also as a brilliant tapestry for generations to come.
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