Famous first words

My first church job in grad school was Episcopal. Although I did not grow up in that tradition, I quickly converted and easily got used to services that began with, “Blessed be God: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.” When I visited my hometown for the first time after moving away for grad school, I was reminded that church back home still begins with “MARNIN’!”

Now, “MARNIN’!” was never shocking to me as a kid, but it was shocking after a time of hearing “Blessed be God…”. By contrast, “Blessed be God…” was never shocking to me, ever.

The first words uttered from the leader to the assembly might define the nature of the service to follow. What you hear may be what you get for the next hour. I like that consistency, and I like knowing up front whether I’ll be able to survive the next hour if there is not a decent chance to escape before it’s over.

I am not seeing informal churches move toward a more prescribed format; rather, I am seeing an erosion of formality in other churches. Some congregations who were used to a ceremonial service before are now allowing “Good morning” in, yea even responding to it in kind as if it were always that way. And we’re talking about just the first words of the service here! We could go on and on from there regarding such things as where to put the announcements, the use or willful ignorance of the lectionary, what the prelude is for, what the anthem (“choir special”) is for, etc.

But could it be that church must begin in some corners with “MARNIN’!” [or the more tame but equally offensive “Good morning”] and others must begin with, “Would the owner of license plate number…,” or, “Will the parents of…”? Many churches begin worship with silence. Others habitually begin late (which is itself a statement of how the service might go from there). Others begin with announcements, including the singing of Happy Birthday for those who celebrated birthdays that week.

It would appear that the things that drive some people crazy may be to others essential for worship. Could it be that we are all different? Yes, it certainly could. Not every church will thrive with a certain style of worship. But worship should be defined by the congregation at hand in the form of mandates from their elected governing bodies, not by the speakers of the first words. Congregations need to be allowed to be what they are. Is it a traditional Episcopal congregation? Then the service is prescribed to begin a certain way. Is it a traditional Southern Baptist congregation in North Carolina? Then there is more flexibility. Although I am certain that “Marnin’!” and Happy Birthday will never induce a spirit of worship within me, I won’t begrudge them for the congregation who does find them meaningful.

Ultimately, a congregation needs to decide what it will be, then be it. And the worship leaders need to stop apologizing for being formal or informal. Just be what you’re supposed to be, and worship accordingly. When in doubt, err toward a spirit of worship. I really don’t think we’ll blurt out “Marnin’!” when we’re standing at the pearly gates.