The
Synod Training and Exposure Programme (STEP) has certainly provided a good
exposure to the workings of Singapore Presbyterian community, the
denominational identity and theology as well as contemporary ministry and
sociocultural challenges. In particular, I would like to pen down my thoughts
regarding the two church visits and reflect on what kind of Christian I am
today.
Earnestness of Catholics
After
the scheduled visits to the two churches (Cathedral of the Good Shepherd and
New Creation Church), there was much critical discussion about the merits and
theological deviances of Catholic and megachurches. While I do acknowledge that
the differences in theologies require careful deconstructions and discernment,
I could not help but feel that perhaps we have been over-critical in other
aspects. Somehow we have placed ourselves on some moral high grounds looking
down and critiquing other churches when there are many aspects which we are not
doing that well in, or do not understand why our church does things in a
certain way. There are some positive things that we can learn from.
For
example, the earnestness and sincerity of the Catholics are attitudes that we
should emulate. The mass at the Cathedral of the Good Shepherd was conducted in
the afternoon and presumably catered to office workers on lunch breaks. I
observed that many members arrived earlier to pray and prepare themselves for
mass; very few were talking or using their cell phones. Furthermore, a certain
amount of “sacrifice” has to be made: the use of lunch break to attend mass. The
time before mass or service is very important in quieting our hearts and minds
to reflect on how great our God is, and how wonderful it is to come before Him
and into His presence. In a workshop for choir conductors which I attended at
Singapore Bible College earlier in the year, the pastor emphasized the
importance of preparing for service and worship the night before for the
service in the morning. The rationale is to quiet our hearts and prepare for
our ministry so that we can give our best to the Lord. Many a time I am guilty
of arriving just before the service begins, and conversing with friends till
the last minute. Hence despite our
disagreement with the Catholics regarding the Holy Communion, confessions and
other theologies, their attitude towards mass is something that I find lacking
in myself, and many youths in my church.
Music and worshipping
In
a similar vein, I have heard many comments describing NCC’s service as a
concert, spoken in a way that suggests their singing session is to glorify the
self and hence implying that our worship is holier. NCC service has excellent
sound system and highly proficient singers and musicians. While some have
argued that megachurches like NCC use powerful visual aesthetics, technologies
of pop culture and rock-concert like worship sessions to attract audience on
the basis of consumeristic logic[1], I
offer another perspective of this service.
Our
God as the creator of music and has gifted us with music, which is part of the
created order. From the beginning of creation “when the morning stars sang
together and all the heavenly beings shouted for joy” (Job 38:7) to the
consummation when “every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth
and in the sea, and all that is in them” will sing to the Lamb on the throne
(Revelation 5:13), creation is musical[2].
Humans sing and play instruments to participate in the music of creation and to
glorify God. As Reverend Tan Tiong Ann said in his session on theology of
worship, the three questions we should ask are 1. Who is God? 2. What has He
done for me? 3. How should I respond? Worship through music and singing is part
of our response to God for all that He has done for us. The variety of music
from classical hymnody to Christian rock, from European cantatas to South
African choruses, all reflect the diversity and richness of God’s creation[3]. As God is the creator of music and because we
are in awe of what He has done for us, it is only natural that we respond by
giving the best of our abilities to serve Him. If the result is that which has
the standard and feel of a paid concert (with the combination of instruments,
vocalists and supporting technologies) then so be it!
Personally,
I feel that we should be wary of passing judgement and labelling certain
worship service as pandering to the popular mass. “Man looks at the outward
appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart” (1 Samuel 16:7). The individuals
serving may be doing so with much reverence, putting in hours of practice so as
to present the best to the Lord and not simply rehearsing for a “show”.
However, I do acknowledge that there is much more to worship than the genre of
music. The songs chosen should have sufficient liturgical and pastoral breadth
to bring out the dialogue between God and man. On a broader level, worship is
also about our lifestyle and attitude towards God. Simply put, worship goes
beyond music and singing, and has more to do with the positions of our hearts.
Committed vs Convenient Christian
The
two church visits highlighted the presence of numerous denominations and
independent churches in Singapore, and it brings to question why should we stay
in the church we are in? Coincidentally, my pastor gave a sermon that helped me
to reflect about the kind of Christian I am today.
It is very easy to be
a convenient Christian who simply focuses on the self. I can choose any church
in my vicinity and attend the service because it is convenient. I can choose
whether to serve or to just sit back and enjoy the church ambiance every week.
Unlike in any examinations where the consequence of not studying can be felt
immediately, I can choose not to do my devotion and amazingly not feel any immediate negative
[1] http://www.academia.edu/17020435/Megachurches_in_Singapore_The_Faith_of_an_Emergent_Middle_Class
[2] https://www.rca.org/resources/theology-and-place-music-worship
feedback. It is so comfortable to
be a convenient Christian! On the other hand, it is much harder to be a
committed Christian. I would like to suggest that it is pride and arrogance
which hinder us from entering a committed relationship with God.
Jeremiah
13:15,17 bring to light the stubbornness and arrogance of Israelites and how
these attitudes hindered them from entering a committed relationship with God.
“Hear and pay attention, do not be arrogant, for the Lord has spoken.”
(Jeremiah 13:15) “But if you do not listen, I will weep in secret because of
your pride” (Jeremiah 13:17). The Israelites’ pride and arrogance led them to
disregard the Lord’s word and hindered the formation of a committed
relationship with God. It is hence important to put aside our pride,
acknowledge our depravity and nurture a grateful heart for all that the Lord
has done for us sinners. We also serve faithfully as a response to all that God
has done for us (the three questions mentioned by Rev Tiong Ann). I believe
that it is in this light that we attend church as committed Christians with our
eyes fixed on the Lord, living to bring glory to the Lord and not focused on
our convenience
I
am also reminded that serving God is a privilege and a response to how great He
is. It is truly a shame if we serve only because some elders or pastors had
“begged” us to, or because of our relationship with people. In this regard, it
seems that megachurches are doing much better with the many people auditioning
to serve in service. The attitude toward serving in church can hence be said to
be an indicator of whether we are convenient Christians who serve because it
suits our interest, or if we truly are committed Christians committed to
glorifying our Lord.
Reference
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