Theory and Practice

I remember the first time I heard the phrase "theory and practice."  It was my freshman year as a music student and one of our textbooks was called "Music in Theory and Practice."  Much of collegiate education focuses on a balance between the "theoretical" (the philosophy, history, and nuts and bolts of something) and the "practical " (the day-to-day, hands-on, in the moment use of something).  I'm sad to report that both in collegiate and my graduate classes, for the most part, it was heavy on the philosophic and light on the practical.

I have recently thought about these two words again in light of our worship experience and how polarized we are about elements within it, whether it be traditional music vs. contemporary music OR reverence vs. celebration.  In some ways, when you break these hot-button debates down, there is a "theory vs. practice argument" in place here as well.

Traditional hymnody appeals to the intellectual side of what we do, or the "theoretical" side.  The same can be said for those that desire a more quiet and reflective atmosphere in worship.  Reflection stimulates thought, and this thought is what helps us ponder, philosophize, and engage our intellect.  These are valid and Biblical things.

Contemporary worship songs are lyrically and musically designed to engage on a more emotional level.  Our emotions reflect the "here and now" of our who we are.  We can get emotional over nostalgic things for sure, but for the most part, our emotions are a very "practical" thing.  They are in the present and are reactionary to our immediate surroundings.  Thus, charismatic music, celebratory songs, and mantra-ish repetition (hear me: not necessarily a bad thing) engage the emotions, and are a loose parallel to the "practical" side of this comparison.  Guess what - also valid and Biblical parts of our worship experience.

I don't think we give Mark 12:30, known as the greatest commandment, it's full emphasis of the balance of loving God with heart, soul, mind, and strength.  This is especially true when we become critical of one of the two "sides" I've mentioned.

So, just like trained classical musicians like myself should be theorist and practitioners, in our worship we should worship God, in theory, and in practice.

There's an app for that.

"There's an app for that."  The Apple slogan reminds us that within their grand and glorious app store lies the answer to all of our problems.  Any need that we have, had, or would ever have can be fulfilled totally and completely by the tiny wondrous icons that fill it's inner sanctum.  Need to draw something?  There's an app for that.  Need to make a document?  There's an app for that.  Need a game for an addictive diversion?  There's an app for that (but stay away from Candy Crush, seriously).

I have to constantly remind myself that not everyone in the world embraces technology like I do.  Twice in the past week I have observed folks that use technology in slightly well, inefficient ways.  I'm not criticizing anyone here, but you find yourselves saying "How come you aren't using the Doohickey App?"  or "You'd be able to communicate better if you used X or Y app."  But, I've had others in higher echelons of technobabble say the same sort of unintentional condescending things toward me too...so I get it.

One of the most frustrating feelings is creating or doing something to help, only to see it be ignored or unapprecciated.  You've been there.  You've taken time out of your busy schedule to stop by and help someone with something at their house, only to never get a thank-you.  You've given a gift that you've put a lot of thought into to a friend, and you see it sitting on a shelf unused, discarded or regifted.  It hurts, doesn't it?  On the app illustration again, I imagine that a developer somewhere creates an app:  they put in blood, sweat and tears knowing that somewhere, someone has a need that program will help.  How disappointing it must be when no one downloads, installs, or uses what they worked so hard to create, all the while knowing that they could have made a difference.

I think God's Word, a.k.a. "The Bible" or "The Good Book" (It's actually a GREAT book) is something like that in our lives.  God gave us this special gift, an "app store," if you will, of tools that can help us with a myriad of life's problems.  Discouraged?  There's a scripture for that.  Feeling hopeless?  There's a promise for that.  Feeling angry?  There's encouragement for that.  Fearful? There's protection for that.  Do you have a song on your heart?  There's a psalm for that.

You may not consider yourself the greatest theologian the world has ever seen.  You may be a Bible "noob." (a.k.a. newbie, novice, beginner) and are not quite at a place where you're using your Bible to its fullest potentional.  Hey, that's okay.  We all start somewhere.  But, the tools are there.  If you take time to familiarize yourself with the great resource of the Scriptures, you'll find that "app" perfect for you.

And, as an addendum, do make a point to acknowledge when someone takes the time to do something for you to help you. Even if it's not "your way" of doing things...always think about what effort went behind whatever was given or done, and see it in a different light.  It's better to be gracious over an imperfect gift than to break a relationship because of your indifference.

Litany for Evening Communion

Litany for Evening Communion

by Chris Bridges

Leader:  Tonight, we come before you guilty, stained with the scars from our sin.

People:  Lord, we confess our sins to You.

Leader:  Tonight, we come before you, our relationship broken, injured from the consequences of our sinful actions and thoughts.

People:  Lord, we ask for Your forgiveness

Leader:  Tonight, we thank you Lord for the offering of Your Son which has provided atonement.

People:  Lord, we praise you for this sacrifice.

Leader:  Tonight, we come to you, as you have commanded, to acknowledge what You have done for us.

People:  Lord, we remember Your sacrifice and Your substitution.

Leader:  Tonight we remember Your shed blood and broken body.

People:  Lord, for we know without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness from sin.  

Leader: Tonight we take and eat, as You demonstrated for us, as an offering of praise.  
People:  Lord, we honor You in this act, and we honor You with our lives.  

Leader:  Amen.