When does Worship begin and why won't people be quiet for the Prelude?!

No questions came to me, no emails or singing telegrams arrived with questions arising from Sunday’s time of Worship.  However, in Tuesday morning Bible Study a spirited discussion was had about the Prelude and “Why can’t people be quiet?” during three minutes of reflective, musical time…

It was suggested by some that it’s simply rude to talk during the prelude: Rude to our Organist, Art Wenk, who puts forth great effort and shares incredible gifts with his music; rude to those who take the “Prelude” as a time to let go of the “outside” world, and prepare for the inner world, a transition from the mundane to the holy.  

“Why don’t we have some kind of signal, like the taping of the conductor’s baton before a symphony, to indicate that people should be quiet and pay attention”

“It bothers me that people are still talking as Lee-Ann begins the Call to Worship… they should be quiet and ready to participate”

These are all important concerns (and, it should be noted that neither Lee-Ann or Art were part of the discussion)

Allow me to opine…  I agree that there should be a time of transition; a time when we exhale, let of the world, let down our defenses and allow spirit, emotion and unspoken wisdom to inform us.   Formally (and formerly) the context for this time was created by a musical performance… a “Prelude” to worship, so that we would come to worship prepared.  The Apostle Paul encourages us to let go of our concerns with our brothers and sisters before we come to worship… the musical prelude is that “Spiritual Air-Lock” where we do that… let go and come into a new time and place.

Except that nobody seems to get it…

Except that we are no longer a group of villagers who see each other every day and so have no need to converse before the time of worship…

Except that we very explicitly place high value on establishing “Community” in worship and welcoming the “Stranger” as part of our ministry… and conversation enables the former as dramatically as “Hushing” and admonishing inhibits the latter.

Except that music is no longer a rare commodity… there was a time, that to sit and hear an organ play was a unique experience; now such music is readily available on my satellite radio or Ipod and therefore less often perceived as “special”

At Jubilee, with respect to all of those who share their gifts, often without proper appreciation of the community, we seem to get where we need to go, without following the old established traditions.

I would suggest to you that rather than performance we see Worship as a transformative event.  So, the church crier enters in the market place and calls the people to worship…. It makes perfect sense that people would still be speaking when Lee-Ann begins the Call to Worship, because it is a CALL… to WORSHIP.  It’s not Worship… it’s the call.  Worship has not yet begun.  

We call people…  we shake hands and great one another and then, a hush falls over the congregation as we retake our seats (kind of the desired effect of a musical prelude).  Next,  we share the announcements – the comings and goings of our community, settling business and matters with our brothers and sisters, as Paul recommended and prepare ourselves for worship.  Finally, we light the Christ Candle and share a Prayer of Approach….

In a very real sense, the hand shaking, ensuing hush and announcements are our “Prelude”; our transition from the outside to the inner world.  So, I don’t think that we are lacking in any way.

Having said that, I am happy to hear Art play anytime and anywhere… in complete reverential silence or in the midst of joyful welcoming conversation…. So I don’t want to change a thing. 

But that’s just me…  What about you?