The Reformation of Worship: III. The Direction of Contemporary Worship

Abstract

This title is deliberately ambiguous. The word ‘direction’ X covers both the trend of modern worship and its leadership or conduct. In the light of our understanding of the nature of Christian worship and of its tradition we must ask both: Where are we going? What movement, if any, is discernible in the pattern of public worship in this generation? and also: What ought we to be doing? What practical steps can be taken today by those who are responsible for the conduct of worship? The first question is a matter of observation about which we may be in general agreement; the second concerns the changes we consider desirable and it is quite certain that no two of us will be in entire agreement on that. This lecture, then, will as it descends from the realm of principle to that of practice become inevitably more controversial, and I ought to say right away that in these matters I represent no movement, organisation, or society, but simply offer you one man's ideas on the subject, with the hope that, however uninspired they may be, they may serve as a starting-point for some useful and necessary discussion in the churches.