Traditions, Practices, and Spiritual Disciplines of Corporate Worship

In recent years, the practices, traditions, and liturgy of the American Church has drastically changed. Things like stained glass windows, pews, and altars have been replaced by TV’s, lights, padded seats, and stages. Ministers who used to wear vestal robes now deliver messages in skinny jeans using IPads.

 

It’s not that churches that embrace nontraditional, modern methodology have moved away from orthodoxy or the authority of the Scriptures- to make matters all the more complex, it’s actually more historic mainline, traditional denominations who have done that in an embrace of progressive theology, all while holding onto the liturgy and traditions of the past.

 

Many American Christians have reported feeling a bit, stuck. Some modern, nontraditional churches feel more like entertainment for teenagers in their presentation, yet they’re sticking to the orthodox doctrines of scripture. Some historic, traditional liturgical churches present a worship experience full of reverence and beauty, rich with tradition and history, yet they’ve moved away from Christian orthodoxy into something else.

 

How do we understand the place of Christian tradition, practices, and spiritual disciplines in corporate worship? Is it possible to find a church that holds corporate worship services that are full of substance, truth, depth, reverence, and intentionality?