Okay - so the next misconception is not a misconception as much as a malpractice. Most understand that modern liturgical exercises do not find their roots among the primitive Christian church, but cling to modern liturgy nonetheless. Liturgy is a specific order of worship. Usually when we think of this term we think of something like the very traditional rituals of the Catholic church. However, presbyterian churches have them too - yes, even contemporary Christian churches have their liturgy - and I am afraid that it has taken over the modern church like a lingering cold that won't go away.
Any one of us could pick a church to visit on any given Sunday - small or large, black white or grey, and whatever the denomination - and generally know what to expect. Most services we could set our clocks by. We park, enter the building, are greeted by someone. Pick a seat in the sanctuary, and wait for the service to start. Someone steps on the platform in front, greets people or opens with a prayer, and the singing starts. 3-5 songs are sung. Then an offering is taken and/or announcements are given. Then the preacher or teacher steps up and prepares to give a sermon. Usually between 45 and 75 minutes long. Then either a corporate prayer or some type of altar call. There are variations to this of course, but pick whatever church or group - I don't care - any fairly mainstream denomination or church type, and it's nearly identical. Call it what you like, but that is liturgy. It's a specific order of worship. Whether we've consciously decided to follow this order, or sub-consciously, we follow it nonetheless... Or most do.
On this topic, like most every other, I believe that going back to the ancient writings to see how the early church functioned before the traditions and liturgies and organizing and institutionalism could very well revolutionize the way we practice our faith. Here is a key verse to kick things off:
1 Cor. 14:26 - "How is it then, brethren? Whenever you come together, each of you has a psalm, has a teaching, has a tongue, has a revelation, has an interpretation. Let all things be done for edification."
This one simple statement written by Paul to the church in Corinth in the first century is paradigm-shattering if we thoroughly consider what it suggests. First of all, when's the last time you were in a gathering where "each person" had a song, a teaching, a tongue, a revelation, or an interpretation? Or when each person was simply even given the chance to share their individual gift? Although the church I grew up in was open to the spirit moving and taking over during a gathering, it was still a very rare occurence indeed. When it did happen, it was like pulling teeth. If God wanted to interrupt our comfortable liturgy, He had to play his cards just right or we weren't budging.
And we were better than most at this. Most churches don't ever see a service where each member can use their gift to build up the whole body. They are, without realizing it, helplessly bound by tradition. Our tradition has muzzled God's voice, quenched the moving of His Spirit, and held back His hand from truly working in our midst. We don't even see it.
This verse tells us a few key things. First, their gatherings were a forum for every Christian to share the gift God had given them before the whole group. Second, the believers in Corinth were so excited about what God was telling and showing each of them, that they had too much happening at once. Third - and I believe this is key - Paul's instruction to them was not to stop letting everyone share their gifts from the Lord when they came together, but rather to show them how to do it so that the whole group was built up. He did not stifle their giftings! Did not tell them that in order to avoid chaos let one person select all the songs they would sing each week and everyone else just stand by as spectators. Did not tell them to be quiet and let the smartest among them do all the ministering. Did not advise them to save their gifts for outside the corporate meeting. He was excited about each member functioning!
This is a peek into a bit of the glory of the early church. When they came together, anyone was free to share a song, a testimony, a revelation, a doctrine, a tongue or interpretation, or whatever other way the Spirit was communicating. Herein is the point. If the One who gives all these gifts is the Holy Spirit, and the gifts of the Spirit were the focus of their gatherings, then it was not any man that was in charge of their meetings! It was the Holy Spirit who was in charge. He was the M.C., and He alone led the gatherings!
It would seem then, that if He wanted to speak through a certain individual one week, and someone completely different the next, He could. If He wanted to speak a little something through a number of different members during a particular gathering, He was free to. Maybe He wanted to speak through a child, or an elderly widow, or even a stranger walking in off the street. Perhaps one week He wanted to build up His body through songs, and the next week He wanted to build up His body through gifts of healing. Well he certainly could, because there was plenty of room for Him to move! As a result, the job of the believers each week was very different than it is today. Today a small handful of folks do a lot of preparing for the main gathering during the week (usually a song leader, some Sunday school teachers, and the pastor or preacher). Back then though, it would seem that it was every members job to prepare for the main gathering - each was to seek the Lord during the week (seperately and together I'm sure) so that when they all came together, God could speak through any one of them the exact message for the exact needs present in that meeting. Because after all, only He knows what each member comes in true need of each week!
For the sake of brevity I will wrap this up -- In my studies, here is what their average gathering looked like in the days of the primitive Christian churches: 1. They usually met in homes (more on this in a future installment - Acts 2:46, 20:20, 1 Cor 16:19, Col 4:15, Phm 1:2). 2. They shared a full meal (also called love feasts). 3. A sharing of the bread and the wine to remember and honor the Lord's sacrifice, according to the Lord's command. (1 Cor 11:20, Jud 1:12, Acts 2:46, 20:7) 4. Waiting on the Lord together and each sharing the gifts of the Spirit, in whatever way and through whatever forum the Spirit prompted each one.
I will also mention that this forum fits well with the oversight of elders (bishops or presbyters - spiritual moms and dads) who simply looked over the flock, fed the young ones, and were there to guide the church family at key times -- but did not do all the work or all the ministering. Every member functioned in their God-given gift, and the whole body grew up into the Lord together as they submitted to His headship alone.
It makes me wonder how many unspoken needs go unmet in our modern corporate gatherings today because the Lord is not allowed to break in and spontaneously minister to them. I wonder how many spiritually gifted individuals have never been encouraged to exercise the gifts God has given them, let alone have a forum in the presence of the whole body through which they could practice them. Over the years I wonder how many leaders with profound callings on their lives have sat on our pews and grown stale and weak because they were never given a consistent and meaningful place to minister among their extended spiritual family.
I also wonder how badly our Lord desires to be head of His church again, to be the One in charge of the gatherings of His people, and to minister in the way that only He can each and every week...
But I have already said too much.
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