Heritage

Today in South Africa, we celebrate a holiday known as “Heritage Day”. It’s a special moment for this ‘Rainbow Nation’ to recognise and enjoy our cultural diversity, embracing our difference as an asset, rather than a liability. In order to do this work well, it requires us to look back - to remember where have come from, individually, as separate communities, and together as a nation - in order to look ahead to a new, connected future. It is an opportunity to remember the miracle of this nation, and to allow our shared journey to give us hope for the years ahead.

In the world of today, the idea of having a ‘heritage’ is seldom considered very deeply, and in some cases it’s even thought of as an obstacle to growth, progress or living a full and independent life. As we grow more and more enamoured of youth, and more and more consumed by the newest bright shiny objects, it’s easy to feel that the old ways, the old ideas and the old people who preserve them are just getting in the way. But, we disconnect from our heritage at great expense. When we remember where we come from, when we embrace the wisdom and traditions of the past, when we honour and listen to our elders, we are given the insight, the grounding and the stamina to grow, to embrace the new and to live fully, while avoiding the trap of shallow, short-term expediency. Embracing our heritage is not an obstacle to innovation and life. It is a necessary ingredient.

The same is true of our worship. It’s tempting to throw out old ‘traditions’ as dry and lifeless, and many churches - whether independent, contemporary, charismatic, mainline or emergent - make this mistake. We easily embrace new technologies, new musical genres, new movements and new ideas for growth, while laughing quietly at the elders who resist these innovations. Yet, our worship has become shallow, entertainment-driven and gimmicky - with the result that many frustrated people of faith are leaving the church. We throw out our worship heritage at our own risk.

There are many valuable gifts that we can receive from our Christian heritage in worship. The intimate silences of the contemplatives, the joyful experiences of the Pentecostals, the tried and tested practices of the liturgical churches, the music of the Gospel choirs, the arts and icons of the Catholic and Orthodox churches - all are part of our Christian heritage. The diversity of spiritual experiences and worship practices is a strength, not a weakness. The traditions of these various branches of the Church are all avenues into transforming encounter with God, if we will only embrace them. The practices we learn from our Christian heritage give us roots and depth that ensure that we are not just driven by the latest spiritual fashions, but are immersed in the timeless wisdom of our faith.

So, as we celebrate our heritage today, let’s also celebrate our Christian heritage. Let’s embrace our diversity and honour one another for the different gifts we bring. And let’s worship in ways that allow our heritage to lead us into deep and transforming encounter with God.
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John van de Laar is a Methodist minister, liturgical consultant and the author of the book Food for the Road – Life Lesson from the Lord’s Table. He holds a Master’s Degree in theology from UNISA, and is the founder of Sacredise.com, an international worship training and resourcing ministry. John is married to Debbie, and they have two sons.
Visit www.sacredise.com for more articles by John, as well as resources for personal and public worship – music, prayers, liturgies, images and drama scripts.

24 Years

On Monday my wife, Debbie, and I celebrated 24 years of honeymoon! When Debbie mentioned this to the concierge of the restaurant where she was booking our table for our celebratory meal, the concierge stopped writing, looked intently at Debs and said, “you don’t see that anymore, do you?”

In a similar way it could be said that you don’t really see true long term faith commitment anymore. In our instant-world, faith comes and goes quickly. Tradition and history and the long road of growth and discipline all seem like a quaint throw back to another era. Now we expect to see “results” in our spirituality quickly and easily - we just need to find “the secret”. But, like a marriage, true worship does not happen in short term thrills and constantly changing relationships. It’s only in the long haul that the depth of real intimacy can be found.

In addition, these years of marriage have taught me a startling lesson: intimacy happens in the daily, mundane, routine of life. Yes, there have been many high moments in the last twenty four years, but they are massively outnumbered by the normal, ordinary, everyday times. Our marriage is not defined so much by the highs as it is by the sorting out of who picks up the kids from school, and of where we will put our money, and of who does which chores around the house. What has made our marriage so fulfilling and exciting is not the out-of-the-ordinary experiences, but learning the daily call to really show up for each other, to choose to be really and fully present, even when we’re tired and hurting, when we’re angry or stressed. It’s about knowing in every moment, whether we’re together or apart, that our values and ideals, our ethics and choices are defined by this other, uniquely important person.

In the same way, worship is not so much about amazing experiences as it is about living a life that is defined by God’s presence and purpose. I’m not against good sound systems, or using multi-media to facilitate worship, but these are not what defines worship. It’s not the goosebumps but the goodness that matters. It’s about the daily choice to live every moment, speak every word, think every thought from the framework of who God is and what God is seeking to do in this world. It’s about giving our lives over to be defined by this Most Important Being who chooses to be fully present to us. When we gather in Church, we are learning to show up, to be fully present to God, and to have our lives reshaped by the values and demands of the Gospel.

Twenty four years of marriage has taken commitment, and a determination to work on this relationship above all else through the little daily actions and awarenesses that keep us connected. The life of faith requires no less commitment, no less determination, and no less attention to the little, transforming rituals that keep us connected to Christ - and the weekly gathering for worship, even when it’s not “amazing”, is one of these.
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John van de Laar is a Methodist minister, liturgical consultant and the author of the book Food for the Road – Life Lesson from the Lord’s Table. He holds a Master’s Degree in theology from UNISA, and is the founder of Sacredise.com, an international worship training and resourcing ministry. John is married to Debbie, and they have two sons.
Visit www.sacredise.com for more articles by John, as well as resources for personal and public worship – music, prayers, liturgies, images and drama scripts.

Witnesses

“Why is it, do you think that people get married?”

In the movie, “Shall We Dance”, this question is asked by a relieved Beverly (Susan Sarandon) when a private investigator reports that her husband is not cheating on her, but rather is taking dancing lessons. After rejecting the investigator’s theory that passion draws people together, she answers her own question, “Because we need a witness to our lives.”

I believe this to be true. We all long to know and be known, to love and be loved. We long for significant others who will journey through life with us, and remind us of the joys and achievements, the learning and the loving, the suffering and the beauty. We need those who will remind us of who we really are, and continue to call our best selves out into the world. Marriage, at its best, gives us this. So, too, does the Church. As we share our lives with other people of faith, we commit to be witnesses for one another, and to hold one another accountable to Christ’s call. Being Church leads us all to be better, more Christ-like people. And this Church includes both those who are alive with us now, and those who have died and entered the life beyond the grave.

In the letter to the Hebrews, Chapter Eleven, the writer speaks of the great heroes and heroines of the faith, and the example they set for us who seek to follow Christ now. Then, Chapter Twelve starts with these words: “Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us” (Hebrews 12:1 NLT). Earlier this year I wrote about our ancestors in faith and how they teach us to live according to eternal values. But, these ancestors are also witnesses to our lives, according to Paul. They watch us, perhaps even pray for us, and they call our best lives out into the world.

One such witness, for me, was my dear friend, Barry Marshall, who died a year ago this week, in a tragic paddling accident. When he was alive, Barry and I had worshipped, debated, laughed and played together in a variety of situations, and he had always challenged me to be honest and true to myself, and to live my faith in ways that bring life to the excluded and poor of the world. Through this year, I have often thought of Barry, and felt his challenge once again. I have been both sad and joyful in these moments which have been more than just memories, but real experiences of his life and ‘spirit’ which abides with me still. Barry was, and continues to be, a witness to my life - and one which challenges me to reach for my most Christ-like self.

Thank God that we are not required to walk this road of life alone. Thank God for the gift of witnesses who share this glorious, painful, awesome journey with us.
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John van de Laar is a Methodist minister, liturgical consultant and the author of the book Food for the Road – Life Lesson from the Lord’s Table. He holds a Master’s Degree in theology from UNISA, and is the founder of Sacredise.com, an international worship training and resourcing ministry. John is married to Debbie, and they have two sons.
Visit www.sacredise.com for more articles by John, as well as resources for personal and public worship – music, prayers, liturgies, images and drama scripts.