As a result of many attempts to ‘contemporise’ our services of corporate worship, we have ended up with a casserole of theology and a soup of subjectivity.
Yet, attempts have not gone smoothly as we have sought to restore liturgy to its rightful place as a common word from a common people. There is still resistance to having our prayers pigeon-holed and pre-fabricated by prayer book poets.
Ironically, our latest generations are happy to sing pre-written words and tunes with feverish repetition, but are not comfortable speaking pre-written prayers. Even praying prayers from the Bible is seen as rigid and uninspiring.
Yet, if people are happy to express their feelings to God through pre-written song words, then why are they unhappy to express their feelings to God through pre-written prayer words?
Read the full article at sydneyanglicans.net
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I suspect it is a fear of looking too”high church”. I didn’t appreciate the helpfulness of the prayer book until I moved to a diocese that relies on it. I do see the other side of the coin too, when I meet people who can’t pray for themselves.
Amen Jodes. Totally agree. Having to think through how to contemporise liturgical services without lising substance & safeguarding doctrine.