Well, I’m back from Florida and now deep in the final prep for our U2 Eucharist. Despite what you may have read via Reuters, the first live U2 Eucharist will not be in London in May but here in Chicago this Sunday.
One thing that has struck me since the gathering and in being interviewed by the Chicago Tribune last week about the Eucharist is that people both “inside” the church and those “outside” the church don’t get creative type pastors. Part of me would like to think there might have been a time when creative artists who were into the life of Jesus and modeling that were welcomed and understood, but I come back to realizing that “creativity” with faith is what got Jesus nailed to the cross.
In Orlando, we had 137 church leaders wandering around and excited that there they were not alone, that there were other people who see the faith journey as something other than a sunday appointment or a political power game little different than a village council. Likewise, the reporters from the Tribune that visited here to talk about the U2 Eucharist and a special series we are doing on the arts and worship (we have guest artists who create during our worship services – a watercolor artist who painted Bible stories during the service that was projected on the wall; a biblical storyteller ; we have dancers and clowns and a potter), the reporters thought it was the coolest church they had ever heard about. I’m not sure all the members here would agree.
I’ll have an interview in the Tribune this Sunday that talks about some of this need for the church to get “postmodern” to be relevant to the faith journey of postmodern generations. I guess its always been that way from generation to generation, there is a comfort in the past and and discomfort with those who point us to the future.
So, I found this prayer during my devotional time this morning, so for all the creative type pastors and leaders out there, I offer this to you. Its an old prayer in older English, but its a great reminder from the past that none of us are alone, that creativity and the journey of faith do belong together.
A Prayer for my Pastor
Everlasting, Gracious, Heavenly Father, for my pastor I pray; grant him to speak Thy word with joy; fearlessly against every error, false doctrine, and abuse; that he may declare and make plain to us the mysteries of the gospel, and remove from our hearts all delusions. Keep him steadfast in the true doctrine and Christian life, that he may be unto us a leader into everlasting life. Guard his body against sickness, that to our benefit, he may for a long time go before us and preach Thy divine word without fear or hesitation, without hypocrisy, not of favor, hatred, jealousy, or for self advantage, but proclaim the truth in all it’s purity and fullness, and denounce evils as becometh them, that I and many more may be won for Thy kingdom, Open my heart and ears that I may listen to Thy word with desire and love, with reverent mind, and hearty attention; to walk in accordance thereto in true faith and bring fruit unto Thy divine glory, Save me from becoming tired of hearing and from soulfulness of soul; inestimable riches of Thy grace, which is tendered to us in the sermon. Grant me grace to know and esteem my pastor as a servant. and steward of the divine mysteries, that I receive Thy word from his lips without offence, unto the bettering of my life the abhorrence of sin; and not let correction pass me by unheeded, nor, that I offend, or despise him by whom the correction cometh. Preserve us all in the true faith and a Christian life, that we may daily grow and increase therein, remain steadfast unto our end, and be eternally saved; through Thy beloved Son, Jesus Christ….Amen
J. K. Wilhelm Loehe (1808 – 1872)
Hi!
U2 Eucharists have been held here in Church of Sweden since quite a few years, so it really isn’t anything new in that sense.
Oh, bye the way. Church of Sweden is a lutheran denomination 😉
BTW, the U2 Eucharists I’ve heard of/read about in Sweden have been with live cover bands. I’ve heard they’ve been nice, but I haven’t been in the right city to attend one…
Really nice initiative you are taking there!
I love U2…but as one who is part of the emerging movement I kind of shrug my shoulders at the U2charist. I mean, I’ve been experiencing this for more than 2 years now, and with more than just U2. The idea sounds so cliche. But I’m just being cynical. I really value the spiritual depth in U2’s songs.
Megan:
I respect your opinion about how a U2charist can sound cliche. As you identify yourself as a two year veteran of the emerging movement, what would your suggestion be for a starting point into the emergent movement?
I think the U2 Eucharist is, to use use the old liturgical language, “a festival Sunday”, an occasional style of service that connects with some great music with depth but not a weekly diet for faith. It does represent a starting point, which is why we are using it to launch our postmodern service, but not with the whole global justice emphasis but rather on the unity themes found in the song “one.” True, it may not be following how other U2 Eucharists are structured, but the shift makes sense for making an impact here and getting people in to experiential context for worship and faith conversations. Cliche is keep doing the way everyone else seems to be doing it – traditional liturgy but adding U2 instead of Amazing Grace. The emerging movement is about intersecting faith and the Gospel in the language and culture of emerging generations. U2 is just one voice and medium to do that.
“The emerging movement is about intersecting faith and the Gospel in the language and culture of emerging generations.”
I quite agree.
To Bob: I do like the idea of a U2charist, and I think it can be a great starting point. The cliche bit is the possibility of this catching on as the next newest “thing”, and hip way to put young adults back into the pews. Here’s my hesitancy: we (meaning my church) get a lot of visitors who are interested in the emerging movement so far as they can do what we’re doing, because we attract young folk. What I deeply appreciate about my experience in an emerging church, is the authenticity. We follow the lectionary and move with the church year. If we play a U2 (or Sufjan Stevens, or some other musician) song, it is because there’s something that reflects the Gospel–not because it’s cool or it will attract people.
I should note that I came into the emerging movement because there was something missing on Sunday morning. I still value and am an active member of the ELCA, and in fact in candidacy for Diaconal Ministry. I see the emerging movement being right there at the intersection of church and world…where maybe the boundaries aren’t as clearly defined as in previous generations.
Glad your U2charist went so well! I don’t know if you’ve heard this before, but the very first U2charist — the one I instigated that was held on April 17, 2004 in Baltimore — was with all live music. There’s so much misinformation out there that I’ve finally gotten around to starting a U2charist resources page — if you’d like to contribute prayers, playlists, or wisdom from your experience with it, please give me a shout! I’d like the page to reflect what people from across the full creativity of the church are doing with this.
Blessings,
Dylan