Presence
I have a new discipline during worship. I do art, very intentional, spiritual art. I come with PRESENCE. The following is a theological construct. (That means this is thick - O boy!)
While on Sabbatical I visited other churches and took my watercolor Moleskine with me, and my journal. I’d sit and listen - not just to the worship, prayers, preaching, liturgies, but I’d listen for the Spirit. The artwork gives me another voice, another modus that keeps me from passive spectating.
Worship has turned into consumerism. Liturgy and worship was meant to be a present moment of grace — participatory, not spectating. The Reformers sought to bring together the worshiper and the sacrament. They removed the altar and replaced it with a “supper” table, thus no longer sacrificing Christ again and again (referring to Hebrews chapter seven verses 27 and 28 in the New Testament). Unfortunately, soon enough rationalism invaded the sanctuary and the mystery of the sacrament was replaced with information.
This gutting of the “presence of God” within the sacrament and liturgy is a travesty. Eastern Orthodox, Catholic and those original Reformers maintained the presence of Christ in the Eucharist (and with much controversy amongst themselves!) I seek to reintroduce the Presence of the Holy Spirit, or rather more correctly, acknowledge and embrace the divine Presence, listening and responding to the Spirit’s voice.
How often has each of us sat in a contemporary (Evangelical?) worship service, listening to awesome music, participating and then comes the sermon or message and we become spectators. As my Anglican friend calls it, “that just the sing-a-few-songs-hear-a-long-talk church.” This summer another new friend, a Melchite Eastern Catholic (Antiochian) upon seeing a cool hip emerging church (sort of like ours) exclaimed, “Some candles and a cross — whatz dat?” He is used to kissing icons, each day a fast, a feast, a particular liturgy for each section of the day — all has meaning, all has intentionality. Indeed, we contemporary America “cool” churches have thrown out the proverbial baby with the bathwater.
So I do art. I am quite aware of how this might be considered nothing more than “private spirituality,” “folk religion.” But I think not. The artist is connected to sensory, to experience and interpretation, within constructs and disciplines. Nor is it doodling in order to pass the time because I am bored. Nothing further from the truth — I am deeply engaged with what is happening spiritually in the room. I am listening both to the platform artists and speakers, while interpreting the Spirit within the room. I am listening and answering the prophetic word with poetry — written and drawing. I think is is akin to dancers interpreting a musical piece (but don’t ask me to dance).
We need to recapture our theology of Presence. Beyond but including Incarnational Presence, we need an Eschatological Presence, the new creation, a living out of the inaugurated eschaton that Jesus began with the resurrection. Or in simpler words, we need to recapture that moment after the two walked the road to Emmaus with Jesus (but did not recognize him) and then in the breaking of the bread, eyes are opened, and did not our hearts burn within us!
Participate with what is going on up front. Participate with the hearts of the people in the room. Watch and anticipate the Spirit’s voice. God is always speaking, who is listening?
Take up your journal, charcoal, your pen, your bristol board, chokti beads — something to be present during church. It is not a spectator event. Tell me, you go to a high school or college basketball game - is it a spectator event? Not if you can help it, right? You jump, yell, scream, chant — you even think you could “participate” - “let me out there, I could do better!” Well, okay, don’t go there in church. You don’t need to - the best player is in the room: the Holy Spirit (even if the platform personnel are trying their hardest to trip him up - and they’re on the same team!).
Presence. Evangelical Christians need to do their homework regarding Sacrament. Stop creating consumer events, spectator events, and invite the crowd to become worshippers. Authentic Christ-centered, “Ruah,” Spirituality is incredibly attractive and overwhelming - even unpredictable. Jesus won! A new day has dawned. Get in touch with it and express it, live it, create it.