Community Worship

Mark 10:13-16

1. One of the most critical problems in our times is generation conflict. As contemporary culture changes rapidly with capitalistic technology competition and popular culture marketing, each generation happens to addict to one’s own form of culture, and the cultural differences of generations results in the negative generation conflict when it is combined with human sinfulness of collective egoism. Such generation conflict has a serious impact of collapsing our society including even family and church.

2. In this cultural crisis, so many churches with great buildings and brilliant history are facing their destiny to close their churches. On the other hand, many churches are overcoming this problem and growing with joy and unity. Why do those opposite phenomena happen in the same situation? In my analysis, it depends on the cultural obedience to the Lord without culturally falling to collective egoism of one’s own generation. To love and accept other generations and cultural groups is crucial in cultural obedience and cultural freedom.

3. Culture is comfort. We enjoy and feel comfortable with our own culture, eating Korean food, talking in Korean language, and following Korean manner of relationship. Culture is learned and formed in one’s growing years, and we are comfortable with the same generation of same culture. On the other hand, we feel uncomfortable and even offended with other generations or other cultures. Therefore, we prefer to live with the people of same culture. Even in worshipping God, we have the same preference. So, we formed Korean community and Korean church here in Kalamazoo. It is natural and blessing! However, when we insist cultural supremacy enough to despise and even condemn other cultures, it becomes sinful.

4. This cultural and generational sin of pride, whether in older generation or younger generation, results in dissociation, isolation, loneliness and alienation. When Jesus came to the world for the ministry of reconciliation, it included reconciliation between generations and genders. But his disciples did not understand it. So, some accident happened here:

[13] People were bringing little children to Jesus to have him touch them, but the disciples rebuked them. [14] When Jesus saw this, he was indignant. He said to them, "Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. [15] I tell you the truth, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it." [16] And he took the children in his arms, put his hands on them and blessed them.

5. We too do not like to be disturbed by children. But, Jesus was totally different! He accepted children with love and joy. Children have different culture and behavior that bothers adults. Therefore, we do not want to worship together with children. What is the price to pay for this cultural comfortableness? Korean churches massively fail in faith education of our children. Statistics informs that more than 80 percent leave the church when they are independent. We don’t really care Sunday school and regard it like babysitting.

6. Our church council decided to start "community worship" from May and the ad hoc committee has prepared for its realization. What is the "community worship"? First of all, it is to worship together with children. We will sit together, sing together, and pray together as family and community. Even though we cannot do together in everything, we may not separate in everything. Separate model of Korean churches reports the success rate of only 2%. CRC is a good example of success by worshipping together. 20 years ago when I served this congregation, we worshipped together and preached children’s sermon of 5 minutes. I like to restore community worship with children together. It is a healthy church to worship together with overcoming generational and cultural differences.

7. However, simply worshipping together does not solve the problem if they don’t like it. We need to make them feel comfortable and joyful in worshipping together with adults. To achieve it, we have to create a genuine atmosphere in which every generation is respected as equal and feel comfortable. Therefore, community worship seeks cultural harmony among generations. It means that we will sing songs of all generations and communicate bilingually.

8. Further, our community worship will not be dominated by one generation or one person. Every generation should be represented in worship. Pastor will do only preaching, sacrament and benediction. Not only pastor but all council members will represent church, welcome congregation, and call to worship. Our choir will be transformed to praise team which consists of young and old generations with different styles. Worship leader will coordinate this generational harmony and teamwork. To achieve this objective, all of us need to adjust to other generations with following the Holy Spirit in love and care. This is the process of reconciliation, salvation, and sanctification, because it is the way to overcome our sin of collective egoism. We understand our cultural limitation, and therefore we do not want to totally sacrifice our own culture but to make harmony with other cultures, because we are one "community", that is, "together unity". Our community is worshipping community. Every generation and every member from infants to oldest will be active participant of worship.

9. Worship leader is important in community, for it is not easy to create artistic harmony of worshipping together. Worship leader will develop and use artistic talents and spiritual diversity of all generations without losing the unity and beauty of worship. God blessed our congregation so richly that we have great musical talents and spiritual capacities. Moreover, God gave us a wonderful worship leader with spiritual passion and professional experience!

10. Esther, would you come here on the podium? Our council unanimously decided to appoint Esther our worship leader. You have already led our praise and choir as pianist and conductor. Now, you will be our worship leader for community worship. What is your vision for this community worship? …. We know your musical leadership but would you kindly introduce your preparation and experience to do this kind of leadership? … Thank you, May God bless your musical and spiritual leadership, enrich your spirit of harmony and love, and lift your passion and spirituality to lead our worship wonderfully!

11. Dear fellow community members. For this is community worship, participate in worship actively and passionately. Follow the worship leader, and follow the leading of the Holy Spirit. Express your thanks and love to God our Creator and Savior as you feel and appreciate without suppressing and stopping it! I pray that our congregation including myself would reborn as passionate worshipping community to glorify and please God! Free your selves from cultural restraint and passivity! God wants your active worship and precise expression. It will not be perfect in the beginning, but God will change our community when we altogether, both worship leader and community obey the leading of the Holy Spirit.