Talk, talk, talk... Discovering the power of experience

One of the most exciting ideas we have explored recently is the concept in worship of "less talk, more experience." It seems kind of obvious, but it takes careful planning and preparation to incorporate symbolic art and movement into the worship experience in a way that is NOT merely decorative, but actually engages congregants in a visceral way, not just an intellectual appreciation. I'm tired of feeling like I need to take notes on the sermon or clap for an excellent musical offering. As a congregant, I don't want to be a spectator, but I also don't want to have a microphone thrust into my hands to overshare.

A collective artistic creation can be made a part of a service by which each member of the congregation is given a piece of an element and at some point in the service can be added to a large composition. I have seen this done effectively with the colors of the rainbow: each congregant given (or choose) a piece of the rainbow's colors and at a given point in the service, come up to add their colorful portion to the building of a large rainbow of color.  A mural of hand cutouts can be made, each person adding their "hand" to the assemblage.  These ideas work well at Stewardship time when we bring our pledges forward to build a church budget for the upcoming year. Time, talent and treasure, creative gifts, listening ears, helping hands - all can be symbolically portrayed in a mural of hands...


Incorporating devotional stations in worship can be a powerful tool. A number of years ago, we had a group of justice-seeking people create a service based in the fundamental need for water. At different point in the service, people had the opportunity to carry water in buckets to experience the weight of water and appreciate the energy many on our planet have to expend to bring water to their families. We had a station where we used water as a tool of anointing. Another where we intentionally experienced the withholding of water (seeing it, but not able to drink it), then quenching our thirst with a drink. Still another station was a washing station to wash away dirt, shame, negativity, sin, whatever. With drumming and flute music in the background, many came away from that service changed by the experience.

Walking the labyrinth together as part of a worship service can also be powerful. Each person experiences it differently but in the context of community.

Adding one's light to a predetermined display can be a powerful message of collective energy and mission.

Communion, in all it's variety of forms, meanings and traditions is the most familiar shared worship ritual available to us. Experiencing communion as partaking in the nourishment of divine love is a powerful healing metaphor that can renew our commitment to being a light in a dark and troubled world.

Bringing folks out of the pews with a purpose, not to show off, but to experience a ritual collectively but, importantly, anonymously, can be very freeing. Elderly and physically challenged people MUST be joyfully included in ways that are not patronizing but empowering.

What other rituals have you experienced that impacted you?