Flash Mobs and Rock Concerts

Flash Mobs and Rock Concerts

Luke 19: 37-40

When he came near the place where the road goes down the Mount of Olives, the whole crowd of disciples began joyfully to praise God in loud voices for all the miracles they had seen:  “Blessed is the king who comes in the name of the Lord!” “Peace in heaven and glory in the highest!”  Some of the Pharisees in the crowd said to Jesus, “Teacher, rebuke your disciples!”  “I tell you,” he replied, “if they keep quiet, the stones will cry out.”

I am not a social scientist by any stretch, but I am a student of gathered worship and have tried in recent years to help Christian worshippers rediscover the purpose and meaning of what is commonly called the Sunday morning worship service.

In recent years, a new social phenomenon has emerged dubbed the “flash mob”. Nearly everyone has experienced a flash mob, either live or by video. Some of you may have actually participated in one. Webster's New Millennium Dictionary of English defines flash mob as "a group of people who organize and then assemble in a public place, do something bizarre, and disperse”. The bizarre activity varies from acting, dancing, singing or coordinated demonstration that initially appears spontaneous. It is, in fact, a well rehearsed and choreographed few moments that gradually grow from one or two participants to sometimes hundreds of people in a unified message. I have seen flash mobs that carried patriotic or religious themes, as well as simple celebrations of joy.

I believe flash mobs have an unusual element of social magnetism. They draw us into the experience as a concert or theatrical presentation but uniquely take us by surprise because they occur outside the concert hall or theater. For a few moments we experience our world the way we wish it was; a place where we all know the words and have the audacity to share them out loud (a bizarre thought, indeed).  

Those that followed Jesus into Jerusalem before his crucifixion may have appeared as one of our 21^st century flash mobs. Their declarations and praise were absurd and defiant given their political circumstance. They had little reason for joy while living under Roman rule. Yet they broke out in spontaneous chants of praise. It is also important to note that this group experience was not rehearsed. Their uninhibited joy was born out of inner hope for their future. They erupted in a unified, spontaneous response to a long anticipated event; a new day was here and their king was here to bring it! Had they stopped, the first “rock concert” would have begun.

When we worship together, unity can break out if we are individually audacious in our demonstration of joy, lament, hope or thanksgiving. This Sunday, respond to our Saviour as He brings a new day of reconciliation with God. Don’t defer to the rocks!  

the friar

“Why Worship Together?” Part II

Why Worship Together? Part II

Instead, be filled with the Spirit, speaking to one another with psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit. Sing and make music from your heart to the Lord, always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.  – Ephesians 5:19-20

Most often worship falls into four categories, each having its own unique features. There is what I call “lone worship”, which obviously is that time we spend alone with God. It can be characterized by a scheduled reading of the Bible, praying, meditating, singing and listening. It’s just God and one lone worshipper and is customized accordingly. The worshipper is not an intermediary….he is the worshipper; prostrate before God, seeking to maintain a relationship that clearly identifies who is Creator and who is created.

Second, there is “serendipitous worship”. This is an unplanned, un-orchestrated time that springs from the moment. It might be brought on by a miracle, a crisis, or an inspirational word of another (ex. written thought in a book). Serendipitous worship might involve only one, a large group, or all numbers in between. Its main attribute is spontaneity. It is a response to God in a moment when it was not expected.

Third, there is “lifestyle worship”. Lifestyle worship is characterized by ones’ daily habits that are markedly God-oriented. One sees God working in all aspects of life. The lifestyle worshipper lives in an expectancy mode that is watching for what God will do next.

Finally, there is what is commonly called “corporate worship”. Group or corporate worship has unique characteristics setting it apart from lone and serendipitous experiences (see my post, “Why Worship Together?”). Approaching corporate worship in lone or serendipitous mode is akin to trying a “solo” worship experience among a few hundred people; or waiting for God to show up when He is already there waiting for us. 

Corporate worship calls for an interaction between the worshippers as well as interaction with God. Fellow worshippers are part of our mission. They are not obstacles or distractions to our worship, they are an integral part of it. Our embrace of God should include them.

Christian worshippers are not to sprinkle themselves across a large auditorium or strategically maneuver to a select observation point. We are to move close together where our singing, amen’s, prayers, cries and laughter are easily heard. There is an accountability in worship that requires us to be inclusive not reclusive. Just as I placed my young children on my shoulders to assure they saw a passing parade, so we should elevate one another spiritually to see the activity of God. Our responsibility in corporate worship is not to “silo” ourselves into a holy cell, but to reach out, left and right, and hold one another up to see God in all His majesty. This Sunday, bring strong shoulders to worship and lift someone up, or be prepared to be lifted up.

the friar