Post-Contemporary
[posted August 16, 2007 • 10:13AM • Bill Gibson]

Last week at the 2007 Leadership Summit of Willow Creek, I was having a deep discussion with a new friend, John Isley. We were talking about the continuous changing trends in worship and how we are "doing church" in a post-modern world. I jokingly told John that we were doing "post-contemporary" worship at FaithWalk because we have pushed passed the description of "contemporary." I was actually making fun of how those of us who strive to understand emerging culture and the emerging church continuously use the word "post." Then John said, "Man, you need to blog that!"

So here you go!

The truth is, when we talk about "contemporary" worship around the traditional church today, most folks think that you mean singing songs like "Pass It On" and "Amazing Grace" to the tune of "Peaceful, Easy Feeling," or "Shine Jesus Shine." I'm not knocking these songs. Not at all. When we play them they have a way of taking us back to a special time and place on our faith journey. But the description of "contemporary" music under its current use can span more than 30 years, consequently not having any connection or affinity to some people today — especially those who did not grow up in church. This is particularly true for youth and young adults represented in our emerging culture.

So... We find ourselves immersed in a new form of worship for postmodernity that is transforming each week. As for what we are doing at FaithWalk, there are certainly numerous communities of faith that are far more "edgy" than we are musically. But to some in the traditional mainstream church, we may be seen as doing "alternative" worship. I believe we have a good blend of music, and on occasion you will find us doing a traditional hymn in a modern arrangement.

FYI, here is our set list from last Sunday:

• Sweet Home Alabama (gathering music, no vocals)
• Home (Chris Daughtry)
• Every Move I Make (Out of Eden)
• Your Love Oh Lord (Third Day)
• Grace Like Rain (Todd Agnew)
• You Alone (The David Crowder Band)
• Draw Me Close (Kelly Carpenter)

The music we are doing is based on who we are ministering to, where we are ministering at, and an assortment of other indicators. But it is not just music that makes the worship experience. Don't misunderstand me. The music is one of the primary components to the foundation of communicating the Good News of Christ in a post-contemporary worship gathering. But there are other important elements that help prepare us to receive what God has in store.

At FaithWalk we use multimedia for transitions in worship, lighting, candles, video illustrations (movie clips and others), dance, drama, worship signing, words of praise, and other elements to prepare and open our hearts to receive God's word and the message for that Sunday. Everything is constructed prayerfully around the message for that week, and the series for that month. Even the order of the music is intentional.

As a church, I believe that if we are not learning how to engage and communicate with the greater community around us, then we will never be able to build true Christian community. Again, to some what we do in worship may be called "contemporary" and to others it may be "alternative." I'd like to think it is authentic worship, and that may be no different than any other church who is being sensitive to the forming community of faith in their midst.

As we move strong into the 21st century how we describe and communicate about the ongoing transformation of the church "emerging" is important. What means one thing to one group might mean something completely different to another.

So perhaps if we were to hone in on our current place on the scale, FaithWalk would fall into the category of "post-contemporary" with a lean toward alternative worship.

Thanks John!