First of
all, it is true that I don't get anything, or I should say much, out of coming
to service. I haven't been to service there since going once during Lent, and
before that, I couldn't even tell you. And when I went to the Lenten service, I
was immediately asked (by my mother, the church secretary and general busybody
but don't get me started on that) to help serve Communion. Great, fine, I love
serving Communion. It moves me nearly to tears each time. But. Then I was asked
by Pastor Jean to be so-and-so's faith partner for the evening. Etc etc. In that
atmosphere, I'm not just A Child of God. I'm
"Heidi-she'll-help-out-if-we-need-her-to". Which is great, too, but
not what I want out of a worship service. I've posted about this in other
places...anyway, I can't just be there to worship.
I *do*, however, get a great deal out of teaching Sunday School, teaching
confirmation, leading the youth -- I see the seeds planted, and I get to watch
these kids move from my first grade classroom into the youth group and then
become leaders themselves. I've seen it many many times. I get to *see* the Holy
Spirit, walking around my church in little size 12 shoes.
I've worked with literally hundreds of youth, and yes, they *do* respond to the
contemporary music. This particular service is partly meant to draw in the
teenagers who don't want to show up at the insane hour of 8:00 AM, who attend
the Peder Eide concerts and the
more popular Christian concerts and the prayer meetings for youth and the
retreats where these songs are taught and the mission trips and the Bible
studies that they fight to be allowed to hold in their schools and on and on and
on.
You saw yourself that a good percentage of the (admittedly small) congregation
was made up of youth. Youth that I happen to know are truly involved and truly
seeking. And they bring their friends. And they're Not Ashamed. And that's a big
deal.
No, I don't think traditional music and liturgy drives youth away, but I do
think that they are in fact drawn to music they like and are familiar with.
There is a feeling of "Oh! We sang this in West Virginia last summer -- I
know this!"
I personally agree with you about pretty much everything else you've said. The
service was empty. The service was lacking. The awe, the mystery, the peace, the
Presence...not there for me, or for you, I know.
And I am likely the most liberal member of that church. So, I ask myself, too,
how did this happen?
I love these people. I love these youth, and I love these kids. And there's
gotta be an outspoken liberal, pro-queer, pro-poly, pro-choice, feminist (but
still maternal and Christian) voice that they can listen to if they ever need
to. Because they won't always be walking around in little size 12 shoes.
So here I am. Use me, Lord.
The Lord is Risen, indeed! Alleluia!