Today we are considering the very important question of how to worship? This is our final episode from my conversation with Rev. Dr. Cláudio Carvalhaes. What a joy to share Cláudio’s enthusiasm and wisdom for practices of creativity, sustaining the creative life, and learning to listen and pray. Today we are focusing on giving the right attention to worship by grounding it in Gospel values to which Jesus called us.
Catch Episodes 245, 246, and 247 for more!
Worship is many things. It centers on God and a sacred encounter first and foremost in the vast majority of Christian traditions. Yet within those many traditions worship might lean heavily into the immediacy of God’s Spirit. Or worship may lean deeply into books of prayer and liturgy that have been guiding worship for centuries. Some traditions depend on leaders who are in tune with God’s calling and inspired by prayer and song in the moment. While other traditions prefer careful thoughtful advance planning. Worship can be steeped in scripture and also in the urgency of events of members’ lives and the wider world.
Encouragement in Difficult Times
I asked Cláudio to give us a word of encouragement for you who preach and lead worship in times that are fraught with loss and grief. We continue to live in unacknowledged losses and vocational grief since 2020, and in a growing climate disaster, as well as the chronic violence and danger in the world. Here is what Cláudio said. I think you will find an abundance of encouragement in his wisdom.
Learn more about Cláudio’s work at his website.
Stay close to local concerns
The first word of wisdom Cláudio offers us is to stay close to concerns in our neighborhood, city, and our local community. To pay attention in worship to things that are happening near us. Why? Because local attention helps us not to become overwhelmed by the world of problems that are so far beyond our reach. Instead we gain a sense of agency when we can influence what is happening in proximity to our worshipping community. We can be part of healing the world near us.
What will give you and your faith community a sense of agency when you make it the focus of prayer and worship this week?
Stay close to the natural world
The second word of wisdom that Cláudio recommends is to bring creation into the work of worship. Bring in the birds, animals, plants and natural features of the world around you as a focus of praising the creator. When we care for creation, we are building a sense of connection with the world around us and each other. (Did you notice the music in the video this week?)
We are releasing this episode on Indigenous Peoples’ Day. Thus, it is a good time to honor land and water. It is a good time to honor people who continue tending it over thousands of years. This kind of honoring can change our worship. And our prayers.
How will you grow your sense of connection to creation and creator in your worship plans for this coming week?
Stay close to each other
The third word of wisdom Cláudio urges us to consider is to pay attention to the ways the Gospel calls on us to love and care for each other. Because we are not islands. Nor are we solo characters. Our well being is tied up together in and with each other. Our worship and prayers should reflect this deep Gospel commitment to one another. And when we respond to this promise and demand? Our commitment blossoms into a sense of belonging to each other and to our shared community of faith and to God.
Where can you shift the focus of worship and preaching this week to uplift shared belonging to one another in the community of faith and with neighbors?
