I too have been involved in various national and diocesan conventions regarding changing church dynamics over a period of time, mostly in the Episcopal Church in the United States. Here we call those weeklong conferences Start Up, Start Over. I have always believed that the message is what is most important, not how it was presented. Using a more modern worship style which resonates with a 21st-century audience is more acceptable to many. But this is only true to a degree. There has been a trend over the last 25 years toward more interactive forms of worship, using computers and slides and lights and modern instruments as part of worship. The feeling has also become a bit more informal though arguably more energetic. Those I knew who had young families found the newer formats more accessible and better liked by their children.

The problem with traditional forms of worship in the main line denominations is that they require a degree of thoughtfulness and intentionality to understand the power of the underlying message. The rituals and traditions can be opaque even to the faithful. They actually require you to think, but frequently turn off those whose faith is somewhat more casual. There is no question there is an energy in modern worship styles that can be lacking in a more traditional approach outside very large churches with professional quality choirs and awe inspiring edifices.

I have also attended various mega churches, many of which are evangelical, but also Baptist as well. Their production values are slick. They spend a lot of time on providing professional grade modern music and attractive worship (actually performance) arenas. Their approach is more like attending a modern rock concert. I have noticed that many people who attend the more modern forms of worship seem to enjoy the performance, but they rarely require them to become mentally engaged with the mysteries of Christianity and the contradictions of living a life of faith. They have the same appeal as a rock concert by one of the current mega music stars.

I suspect this has a lot to do with the growth of the evangelical church. They create a sense of optimism and power that God is in control, and if you just follow certain rigid social standards, you will prosper and live a happy life. The evangelical church may be successful, but it has removed itself far from the original message of authentic Christianity. It is one of the reasons we see so many evangelicals who profess values that have nothing to do with the love and humility expressed by Jesus in the gospels. This form of worship is more akin to a political rally driven by emotion than a time for reflection and spiritual growth. In saying this, I am not condemning the form of worship per se. But when the congregants worship the service rather than God, something is tremendously amiss. I see this far too often.