I've visited a number of congregations which use, shall we say, alternative worship styles. I pay careful attention to the words of the songs that are used. At first, quite a few of the songs seemed to have been inspired by psalms, especially those which praised God along first article lines. They spoke of the majesty of the creation, and like the psalms, employed metaphors of clapping mountains, roaring seas, etc. As I began to think about this phenomenon, something came to mind. Much of this was what the early church was like – they used the psalms for worship. But of course, something happened, didn't it? Very early on it became clear to the Christians that more clarity and specificity was needed. Christ-centered songs, such as that found in Philippians 2, were composed. For our redemption story is not that of Israel. The horse and rider thrown into the sea were, at best, metaphorical for the victory won at Calvary and sealed by the empty tomb. The earliest Christmas or Incarnation hymn we have, “Of the Father's love begotten,” is more evidence that the Church found the psalter in need of major supplementation.

Apparently the same phenomenon has occurred in the contemporary Christian music world as well. Lately I've been exposed to more songs that bring Christ's redemptive work into clearer focus. If we are evangelical Lutherans, that has to be a positive development.

Yet another thing I've noticed in many of the alternative services – there are no references to the church year. Oh, there is a tip of the hat to the obvious – Christmas, Easter, and probably Pentecost. But one hears few, if any, ties to Advent or Lent or special feast days. Again I am taken back to the early Church which also knew none of these Christian calendar events. But look what happened! The Church developed them over time because they provide helpful landmarks with which to tell and re-tell the story by which our lives are identified. The seasons as they developed were helpful aids in focusing on specific facets of the redemptive story. Without them, worship can become just like a lot of sermons I hear – Gospel-generic. While the Gospel can be summarized by John 3:16, preaching and singing that takes no notice of the specific and varied aspects of our redemption shortchanges God. If John 3:16 really says it all, God chose to do a terribly inefficient thing – inspire 27 books and letters called the New Testament. Will contemporary composers and writers begin to write songs that take into account the life of Jesus? His miracles? His temptations? His sorrows?

One final thing I've noticed in some of these gatherings – an informality that even has caused me some discomfort. I wrestle with those places where anyone in the assembly is free to get up during the service to get a cup of coffee, a doughnut, or whatever. Here's what came to my mind: Every Fall, Defiance hosts a Band Spectacular, where 4 area high school bands perform their half-time shows for the crowd. BUT as soon as the show begins, the concession stands close out of respect for the bands. It strikes me odd that a secular event will shut down the food and drink, yet these worship services can't do the same for God! But this phenomenon also prompted me back to the early Church once more, where services were held in private homes. In what kind of formal/informal atmosphere were those services held? I also know that the ecclesiastical architecture that evolved was patterned heavily on the royal court, intending to instill awe and fear into the assembly. If you would tremble in the presence of Caesar at his court, how do you think you should behave in the presence of the Judge of all the world? But history also tells us that this backfired to some extent. There came a time when, despite priestly pleadings to come forward for the Eucharist, congregants remained firmly planted in their places, terrified to approach the triumphant Christ.