Thursday Examen
I listened to a conversation yesterday among clergy, active and retired, about what “contemporary” worship means. These conversations often center on style rather than content. The contemporary style often focuses on a “praise band” performing and leading lyrics that have more in common with the Nicene Creed than with mainline Protestant theology. The song, “Lord, I Lift Your Name on High,” is a good example of the Nicene Creed singing its way into non-creedal denominations like mine. I want for my denomination, the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) to embrace “content” over style in our worship. Content that takes seriously the context in which we worship and the world in which we live.
Here is the outline of the Examen that I did today.
Opening Music to Ponder . . .
“I’d Love to Change the World”, Ten Years After, 1971.
Psalm 4
Reflecting
For what moments was I most grateful today?
For what moments was I least grateful today?
When did I give and receive the most love today?
When did I give and receive the least love today?
When did I feel most alive today?
When did I most feel life draining out of me today?
When today, did I have the greatest sense of belonging to myself, to others, and to God?
When did I have the least sense of belonging?
Psalm 118:1-9
Departing Music to Ponder . . .
“God Must Be a Woman”, Travis Tritt, 2002.