Jubal’s Jottings

Church architecture has always made a statement about theology and philosophy of a particular church ministry. If you haven’t read Anne Ortlund’s classic book, UP WITH WORSHIP, you should do that. It’s a great book for a worship committee to read together, by the way. Anyway, Chapter 19 of her book is called, “Three Cheers for Stiff, Rigid Rows of Pews!” She makes a case for the fact that so many churches are using a more fellowship, “body life” oriented, fan-shaped seating arrangement in current archtectural schemes, but that those forms are more human-centered than God-centered. You may or may not agree, but I did experience the hard back, straight ahead, kneeling bench worship services yesterday. I have been an advocate of the fan-shaped arrangements, but this certainly didn’t leave you much optional except to face straight ahead! Far less distractions, for sure!

I will say that I like the fan-shaped, community-oriented seating arrangements, but I thought that what I would REALLY like is a worship space that could be one way this week, and another way next week…kind of a have your cake and eat it, too, you know? When you do build a building, or remodel, and you have choices, remember that you will affect your worship for years to come with your seating arrangement. Pick carefully!

Jubal, that hard back made me want to kneel, but my kneeling bench wouldn’t fold down!

So, I park each day in a multi-level parking ramp. One of the local businesses that has a parking arrangement with the ramp is a 24 Hour Fitness Center…which is a couple of short blocks walk from the ramp. You can tell those who are either coming or going to 24 Hour Fitness. What I’m trying to figure is this…how often have I seen some 20-something guy, looking pretty in shape, with a towel…either on his way to work out, or just having completed a workout…and he’s taking the ELEVATOR in the ramp! Go figure!

By the way, Jubal…I ALWAYS take the stairs!

In the old days, worship planning didn’t take much effort. You just grabbed a hymnal, checked your lectionary…and if you had a choir, you maybe had a book for them, a couple of octavos, a John Peterson cantata for Christmas…all set! Today, different issues. So, how do you construct a grid that gets you through these things? If you’re really together, you have a self-made system that keeps you organized, resourced, and efficient. If you’re not so together, then you may be looking for some help. Here are a few places you can look for some organizational help. Some are places for ideas on how to think about planning…nuts and bolts. Others are services (some will cost you!) that will provide forms and guidance for putting things together, sending information to all your musicians, creative ideas, etc. Take a look! You might find something to help you!

http://www.calvin.edu/worship/planning/nuts_bolts.php

http://www.worshipplanning.com

http://www.1christian.net/WorshipPlanner/

http://www.servicebuilder.com

http://www.FredBockInstitute.org

Boy, Jubal, in YOUR old days, even OUR old days must have looked tough! You had it easy…a few sheep to watch, a hollow piece of wood to blow on, couple of tambourines to bang, a couple of sheep’s guts to pluck…not bad!

So, there are some things that bug me…probably you, too! One of them are things that happen in the singing of songs that people do without thinking. AND, some of them are just wrong! On those things I find that I have significant opionions. One of those things occurs in the last line of the hymn, “Praise to (Ye) the Lord, the Almighty.” It reads, “gladly for aye we adore Him.” The word “aye” has multiple meanings. One of those meanings is “on and on” or “ever.” The other meaning is “yes” or “agreement.” So, now the quiz. Which meaning fits the particular context of the word in the hymn? Ding! Yes, it is the first of the two meanings…”ever.” Since the word “aye” is somewhat outdated, many hymnals have even changed the word in that line to read, “gladly forever adore Him.” It makes good sense. So, what’s my point? Well, thanks for asking! The word “aye” also has two correct pronunciations depending on which definition is in play. The second meaning - “yes” - is pronounced like a long i, as in “I.” Therefore, you get things like “aye aye, sir” or all in favor say “aye” and the “ayes” have it. However, when used in the context of “ever,” the correct pronunciation for “aye” is a long a - like “lay” or “say.” You can even go to a website that will say them correctly on your computer based on the meaning you intend. But, I hear many congregations singing “gladly for ‘I’ we adore Him.” It’s just not right! Somebody please tell your people the difference so they can sing intelligently! Please?

Jubal, I know you knew it all along. Right?