The Role of Liturgy.
Whilst Liturgy is commonly thought of as the read or sung services from the Book of Common Prayer, or the Book of Common Worship or an equivalent, we make a fundamental error in throwing out the liturgy by saying “We want to be free!”. The problem here is that we tend to replace it with a hymn sandwich, or a prayer sandwich or anything else as long as we are not using a service book! We must realise that liturgy is the structure and form placed on the meeting of Christians in worship. A hymn sandwich is a liturgy in itself.
Look at what St Paul said to the Corinthian church:
“So here’s what I want you to do. When you gather for worship, each one of you be prepared with something that will be useful for all: Sing a hymn, teach a lesson, tell a story, lead a prayer, provide an insight. If prayers are offered in tongues, two or three’s the limit, and then only if someone is present who can interpret what you’re saying. Otherwise keep it between God and yourself. And no more that two or three speakers at a meeting, with the rest of you listening and taking it to heart. Take your turn, no one person taking over……… When we worship the right way, God does not stir us up into confusion; he brings us into harmony. This goes for all the churches—no exceptions.” from 1 Cor 14—”The Message”
St Paul goes on at length here and in other places about structure and form of the worship, both personal and as a body of Christ. We must listen to the Holy Spirit for our structure and form. If this structure uses one of the prepared services in a book it must be alight with the Holy Spirit otherwise all will see it for what it is—a religious rite that has no meaning or purpose. Most liturgical service books provide scope for us to change both the order and the words within the service. Listen to the Holy Spirit. If you must read words of prayer or exultation, take them into your heart first and then give them back to God. If a Psalm or exultation says “Praise the Lord” why not pause at that point and give everyone a chance to Praise the Lord?
When we are asked to “shout” why not shout? Bring the liturgy to life both to yourself and to all the congregation. Make sure that everyone knows what they are saying. We should not ask people to say that they are “truly sorry” if in truth they are not because now they are lying before God.
There are various pointers in the orders of service that are extremely useful; confession, creed, the Lords Prayer. Surprise somebody, do something different for God! If you are an artist—paint a picture or create a sculpture or a mime that represents one of these things—and use that as a focus for the congregation perhaps with the words read by the leader. Alternatively, use sung versions of the creed, confession or the Lords Prayer. There are many songs that are just as effective as the read words. Make everything pertinent and full of the Holy Spirit. It must please and glorify God—and if it doesn’t then don’t do it! Can you say that the current liturgy within your church (of whatever form) pleases and glorifies God? If it doesn’t then listen to the Holy Spirit, go back to Him and ask for guidance in the way forward.