We rejoice in the Lord for His goodness and mercy over us as Dioceses in Lagos Metropolis, Diocesan Bishops of our Dioceses, The Rt. Revd Dr. B. J. Adeyemi of the Diocese of Badagry, The Rt. Revd Dr. Akin Atere, Bishop of Awori Diocese, The Rt. Revd Dr. James Odedeji, The Diocesan Bishop of Lagos West and The Rt. Revd Akinpelu Johnson, the Bishop of Lagos Mainland Diocese for your support at all times. The Clergy in each Diocese and their family members.
We also thank the Ever Living God for the good work being done by the Lagos Anglican Seminary headed by our Dean The Rt. Revd Dr. Babatunde Adeyemi, and his Lieutenants. Academic and non-academic staff members of the Seminary.
Also we appreciate our dear Brother and Father, The Rt. Revd Akinpelu Johnson for making His Diocese and the Cathedral of Jude’s available to us. May the Good Lord bless you and keep you all.
To our Revered Fathers in Christ, The Bishops and to our brother Clergy from all our Dioceses, Happy New Year and God bless you all.
This Theme: ANGLICAN WORSHIP, LITURGY AND SPIRITUALITY: THE CHALLENGES CONFRONTING LEADER OF WORSHIP AND THE TOPIC, ANGLICAN LITURGY AND WORSHIP: MAINTAINING OUR IDENTITY IN MODERN DISPENSATION.
The Theme and the Topic flows together especially at this time that we are having different types of denominations, sects, Pastors and Prophets in the Christendom and all are saying that they depend on the Holy Spirit for inspiration for both Biblical and unbiblical acts of worship.
The subject of focus is a broad one that can not be adequately explored in a time allotted however a good attempt will be made to touch the salient areas of the topic as needed for our efficiency and productivity as leaders of Worship.
We have the following words in the topic Anglican Worship, Liturgy, Spirituality and leaders of Worship, these shall be expounded.
Generally speaking, Worship is an act of showing reverence and adoration for a deity or sacred figure. It is often expressed through rituals, prayers, music, and ceremonies in various religious traditions.
Worship can be a communal activity, such as participating in church services or religious gatherings, or a personal practice, like meditation or individual prayer. It serves to honor, connect with, and express devotion to a higher power or spiritual entity.
Worship practices and their significance can vary greatly among different religions. Here’s an overview of some:
Worship varies widely not only in practices but in the underlying beliefs about divinity, community, and the individual’s role in the universe. Each religion articulates a distinct way of connecting to the divine and expressing reverence and devotion, influenced by cultural, historical, and spiritual contexts.
Coming home, Christianity is composed of numerous denominations, each with its unique forms of worship.
(a) Lutheran: Liturgical, similar to Catholic Mass but focuses on scriptural messages and communion. Hymns play a significant role.
(b) Anglican/Episcopalian: Combines Catholic traditions with Protestant elements, using the Book of Common Prayer, emphasizing scripture and communion.
(c) Baptist: Typically less formal, focusing on scripture, sermons, and congregational singing. Baptism is a central rite.
(d) Methodist: Emphasizes God’s grace through scripture and hymns, with communion being less frequent and open to all.
(e) Pentecostal: Known for expressive worship, with speaking in tongues, healing services, and lively music playing a central role.
(f) Presbyterian: Focused on sermons and scripture, worship is structured but less formal, with an emphasis on teaching and community.
Each denomination has unique traditions, theological emphasis, and cultural practices to its form of worship, contributing to the rich tapestry of Christian expression worldwide.
Worship is central and pivotal to Anglican experience with the Triune God as the only object and focus of worship. Anglican Worship is expressed in a distinctive and peculiar way that has been and sustained for a long period of one generation to another.
Anglican worship is therefore a form of worship or Christian liturgical practice that stems from the Church of England and is characterized by its blend of Protestant and Catholic traditions. It is known for its balance between a structured liturgy and accessibility to the congregation.
There are liturgical elements in Anglican worship, which blend the rich tradition with modern adaptations, aiming to foster a community-oriented worship experience that is deeply rooted in Christian heritage. Whether one experiences high-church traditions with incense and elaborate liturgy or a more pared-down, simple service, the essence of Anglicanworship is to engage with God through a balanced and reflective communal practice and this is Anglican spirituality.
LITURGY
Liturgy is defined, according to Merriam-Webster, as “a eucharistic rite; a rite or body of rites prescribed for public worship.”
Therefore, Liturgy is a form or formulary according to which public religious worship, especially Christian worship, is conducted.
By the middle of the first century, Christian worship was known by the term liturgy which literally means “the common work” or “the work of the people.”
Anglican liturgy refers to the structured form of worship used in the Church of England and its worldwide Anglican Communion. It reflects both Catholic and Protestant traditions.
The early liturgy of the Christian Church’s worship was composed of two vital parts: first, the liturgy of the word, including hymns, Scripture reading, and preaching, and second, the liturgy of the faithful, composed of intercessory prayers, and the Eucharist.
The origin of Liturgy can be traced to the Old Testament and New Testament in reference to liturgical worship.
The instruction of God to the Israelites on how, when to worship him, how the altars and temples should be built and the garment to be worn, all were clearly stated and followed. In the New Testament Jesus was involved, went to temple at prayer hours and the apostles did.
Our Liturgy is also being expressed through activities like praises, thanksgiving, remembrance, supplication or repentance in English it is referred to as service.
In Act 2:42-47 The Apostles continued in the corporate worship life.
THE FOLLOWING ARE THE CORE COMPONENTS OF LITURGICAL WORSHIP AS EXPRESSED IN ANGLICAN DENOMINATION
These daily services, both in the morning and evening from the BCP include prayers, psalms, and readings, designed for both private devotion and corporate worship.
Therefore, Anglican spirituality is characterized by its rich blend of tradition, adaptability, and an emphasis on both personal and communal aspects of faith.
ANGLICAN SPIRITUALITY: This emphasizes communion with God through contemplation, prayer, and community service. It encourages personal spiritual development while engaging actively in the life of the church.
HERE ARE THE KEY FEATURES OF OUR SPIRITUALITY
It also contains the 39 Articles of faith, creeds, Psalms catechism and other information of the church.
To have a clear understanding of the content, expression and experience of Anglican spirituality one must be familiar with the Book of Common Prayer.
We are drawn to God and receive reassurance of His presence in our sacramental services, more so the release of the invisible and inward grace and blessing as we dramatize our faith through outward and visible acts.
It is the dramatization of our faith and expression of our spiritual contemplation, anticipation and experience in God’s presence.
The church calendar has been a tool which makes the entire journey of the birth, ministry, death, resurrection and ascension of Jesus, even the birth of the church more explicit and clear to be grasp within a liturgical year.
The seasons are in sequential order each representating major events of the scripture, with appropriate scriptures and hymns, thereby bring the event into our spiritual experience.
Our liturgy according to the BCP allotted days of vigil, fasting and prayers on weekly and seasonally bases
Chanting of Mattins, Even songs, Psalms, Canticles, Litany and sung Eucharist are integral part of Anglican spirituality, They are soul lifting and beautiful as we find our expression of faith through music.
Meeting the needs of the needy and less privileged is a major consideration in the Anglican spirituality and worship,hence provision is made for offertory to be collected during holy Communion.
Also, greetings of peace in the order of Eucharistic Service is an indication of Anglican spirituality as expressed in the liturgy.
A close look at sacramental services we can see the spirituality of oneness, fellowship, love and unity ;In Baptism, which is the initiation of the young and adult to the body of Christ having the baptismal font situated at the entrance by the side of western door,the child is to be guided and groomed in faith by God parents which bring the child to the bishop at confirmation for an open acceptance of vows made at his baptism by the God parents and impartation of holy Spirit by the laying of the bishop’s hand.This is a process of integration, discipleship and growth.
Anglican spirituality offers a grounded, balanced approach to faith, encouraging both personal intimacy with God and active engagement with the world.
WORSHIP LEADERS
In the Anglican tradition, worship leaders play a crucial role in guiding and facilitating both personal and communal worship.
HERE’S AN OVERVIEW OF KEY WORSHIP LEADERSHIP ROLES:
These personalities and their roles, integral to Anglican worship, demonstrate a shared responsibility among clergy and laity, emphasizing communal participation and service.
WORSHIP LEADERS AND CHALLENGES IN WORSHIP
Anglican Worship leaders do face variety of challenges. These challenges hinder them and the worshipers from achieving the goals of worship.
Whatever is done in the name of worship that does not achieve these goals are just religious activities not worship.
A WORSHIP LEADER
It is important to know who the worship leader should be, what he should know,or do before and when he leads others in worship.
These are few things to note about a worship leader.
¨ A worship leader must be a worshiper, no one can adequately express to others what he has not personally experienced. The inward experience of a worship leader should be expressed to encourage others to worship.
¨ He must be involved in worship body, soul and spirit, when others are singing, praying, listening to sermon and given offering, you as leader of worship must do the same.
¨ He must have a good understanding of the goals of worship and all that components demanded in worship so that he can adequately plan and prepare. 2 Timothy 2:15
¨ He must have relationship with God, who is the object of worship and a relationship with other worship leaders and the worshipers he is leading. Individuals’ Worship must be synchronized into a one whole communal worship.
The object of worship must be real in the experience of the leaders for him to be confident enough to express the same to the other worshipers. In relation to Article 26 “The unworthiness of minister does not affect the validity of the Sacrament”, yet his sense ofunworthiness affects his confidence to dispense such, and weakens the confidence of those who are aware of his unworthiness.
According to John 4:22-23-Acceptable worship is in spirit and truth, not by force, pretence or imitation, but intentional, genuine, sacrificial and from within.
A worship leader must be aware and conscious of these points outlined below
(a) As the worship leader of God’s people, you are their Prophet, Seer, Apostles, Teacher, Leader, Mentor, counsellor and God’s representative among them.
Therefore, you must live among them and lead them with the consciousness that you are an ambassador and representative of the Godhead, the Father, Son and the Holy Spirit.
(b) An Anglican worship leader must be modern and well enlightened, however he must not be carried away with some ungodly and unscriptural new ways introduced into the body of Christ.
He must be careful of adoption of rituals and sacrifices, use of spiritual books, materials like candle for consultations of spirit, replacement of God’s power with anointing oil and prayer water power.
(c) He must resist the temptation of becoming like Eli and his sons who were greedy, covetousness and immoral bringing judgement to Eli Family.
(d) He should draw example and motivation from Biblical figures like Abrahim and Joshua who are faithful servants of Yahweh Paul and Silas, who were praying and singing even in the prison.
(e) Desire and seek to be filled with the Spirit of excellence like Shadrach, Meshach, Abednego and Daniel.And be a man after God’s own heart like David.
(f) Be temperate and self disciplined in addressing God’s people, during sermon avoid preaching at them rather preach to them with grace and be careful never to be be like Moses who angrily and arrogantly addressed God’s people as rebel. Don’t rain curses and abusive words on your members instead bless them. Psalms 106 :32-33,Ephesians 4:29, Jeremiah 23:1
(g) Make Evangelism your top priority, teaching preaching and reminding the people of the second coming of the lord Jesus Christ.
Don’t be ignorant of resistance, therefore be ready to face opposition and suffer persecution and hardship like Apostle Paul in 2 Corinthians 12:7-10.
(h) Every season and service with its peculiarity serves you the opportunity to preach the gospel.Even occasional services like wedding , burial , birthday etc affords you the opportunity to know your members and draw them closer to serve and encounter God, do not scare them away with catalogue of demands.
(i) You must develop and train yourself to be more effective in your delivery of sermon, human relationship and management of both human and resources because your competitors abound and are willing to take your members, most times they are more exposed and knowledgeable than you are, and so you must always be at the top of your game.
(j) You should not be ignorant or in denial of the reality of spiritual warfare, you are not contending with flesh and blood but powers and principalities in high place, hence you must be spiritually fortified with the spiritual armor. Ephesians 6:11-13
(k) Be neat and tidy
(l) Be guided by 1 Timothy 3:1ff Be blameless, husband of one women, hospitable etc
THE CHALLENGES CONFRONTING WORSHIP LEADERS TODAY
(a) Anglicans value both historical liturgy and contemporary expression. Worship leaders often struggle to find a balance that respects tradition while engaging modern congregants.
(b) That is why the leader of worship needs the Holy Spirit, the liturgy is not active by itself except it is applied under the influence of the Holy Spirit, the Holy Spirit empowers, reveals and guides in worship as we apply Him to the liturgy.
(c) Our liturgy is good and potent but needs a leader of worship that is full of life and spirit to make it impactive and resultful. (be vibrant, be charismatic)
(d) Also, there is need to balance Tradition and Modernity, Leaders must respect historical forms while remaining relevant to contemporary congregations through personal learning and exposure.
This is a challenge of our present day, with diverse congregation members, leaders need to incorporate multicultural elements and address varying needs, which calls for the dynamism and open heartedness of the worship leaders, we must not be close minded and rigid, we should find a place for each individual or category of our con-gregation to find expression within the identity of the church.
Often times, leaders have failed to explain and teach the congregation about the things done in church; Proper teaching and education has the capacity to align people of different ages and divers perspectives into one goal.
1 Corinthians 9:20
And to the Jews I became as a Jew, that I might win Jews; to those who are under the law, as under the law, that I might win those who are under the law;
This also presents challenges in terms of cost, know-how, and resistance from traditionalists.
MAINTAINING OUR IDENTITY IN WORSHIP IN MODERN DISPENSATION
There is this idea held by many that Anglican liturgy is rigid, which makes it not to be relevant to the new the generation believers because of modern approach to worship as it is to other are areas of life. This has been one of the reasons given for the exodus of a number of youths, even adults from Anglican Church.
Contrary to this claim, the liturgy of the Anglican is fashioned to be elastic and flexible enough to adapt to different ages, culture and people without losing the rich heritage and sound doctrine expressed in our worship.
Therefore, it is possible to maintain and retain our Anglican identity in worship amidst modern challenges. This will involve balancing tradition with contemporary relevance in the following way;
LITURGY
We need to emphasize the richness of the Book of Common Prayer while allowing room for contextual adaptations that resonate with today’s congregation. Intentional effort should be made by the custodian and leader of our worship to apply in a way that the worshipers can identify themselves as part of worship and feel involved.
Also, diverse liturgical practices can be introduced, a variety of liturgical styles or themes that explore different spiritual disciplines or cultural expressions can be introduced to bring dynamism, excitement and life to worship.
RELEVANT, LIVELY AND CHARISMATIC SERMONS: Preachers are to focus on relatable, real-world issues in sermons, ensuring they’re inspiring, engaging, applicable, and thought-provoking.
Be current and up to date on the happenings as it relates to people of all ages in your congregation.
INCORPORATE CONTEMPORARY MUSIC
There is great need to integrate our traditional hymns with modern worship songs, also introducing modern hymns and worship songs alongside traditional ones, using a mix of instruments to cater for diverse musical tastes. For example, Praise and Worship sessions, playing of drums and other instruments to some of the songs.
In addition, collaboration with musicians and choirs to ensure a diverse range of musical expressions.
INTRA-CHURCH AND EXTRA-CHURCH ENGAGEMENTS SHOULD BE GIVEN A PLACE:
The church should encourage community involvement through outreach programs, events service projects or discussions groups that connect worship with everyday life, the community needs, most especially that reflect Anglican values, addressing local and global social issues.
As these programs will bring the people to show interest in what we do, understand the basis for them and get involved also.
The Interactive services will encourage participation throughresponsive readings, prayers, or moments for congregants to share personal reflections or testimonies.
And finally, engaging the young people by creating specific programs or services aimed at youth and young adults, involving them in planning and leading worship, youth Sunday, youth week, youth harvest, youth Day out with Vicar /Archdeacon/Bishop etc.
Intergenerational worship approach that is inclusively designed for all age groups, ensuring that different generational needs and spiritual expressions are met without losing core Anglican elements should be integrated.
WELCOMING ENVIRONMENT: Cultivate a hospitable atmosphere with greeters, clear signage for newcomers, and follow-ups with new attendees.
Don’t take for granted art and aesthetics of your church, make use of art, visuals, and creative expressions to enhance the worship experience and make the space inviting without distorting the liturgical settings and colors.
The church must always be clean and tidy.
THEOLOGICAL EDUCATION: There must be a deliberate efforts to offer formation programs to members so as to deepen the understanding of Anglican doctrine and history through Bibles studies, Catechism, Sunday School curriculum, helping members appreciate and articulate their identity.
When they understand what we do and why we do what we do, it becomes easier for them to know who we are, what we stand for and consequently imbibe the same identity.
It is unfortunate that many of us will rather impose on them, than impress in them who an Anglican man is in Christ and worship.
To offer workshops and education on the significance of the liturgy and traditions will surely Deeping understanding and appreciation.
CULTURAL SENSITIVITY: Recognize and celebrate cultural diversity within the congregation, ensuring all feel welcome and represented in worship practices, cultural harvest or state harvest.
USE OF TECHNOLOGY: It is imperative that we fully and carefully embrace technology as a church because that is the language of this generation, hence we must leverage technology for virtual services and online resources, making worship accessible while maintaining Anglican liturgical integrity.
The use of digital screens for hymn lyrics, announcements, and sermon points and implementing online streaming for those unable to attend in person should be exploited.
In today’s world, we can not only depend on advertising our program by sharing fliers on the streets with megaphone, we should engage in social media like Facebook, WhatsApp, Instagram advertisement etc., which are faster, easier and can reach more people in short time. Church instrument, public address system has been digitalized now, giving many varieties of music.
ECUMENICAL DIALOGUE: Engage in dialogues with other denominations to strengthen ecumenical ties, learning from others while showcasing Anglican distinctiveness.
FEEDBACK AND ADAPTATION: Regularly seek feedback from the congregation and adapt services or programs based on their needs and suggestions.
By blending tradition with innovation, you can create a worship experience that resonates with a broader audience while respecting the rich heritage and identity of Anglican liturgy
By focusing on these aspects, Anglican worship can remain vibrant, relevant, and true to its identity amidst changing societal dynamics.
Addressing these challenges requires creativity, adaptability, and a deep commitment to serving the spiritual needs of the congregation while honoring the rich traditions of the Anglican Church. Thus, effective leaders navigate these challenges through pastoral care, continuous learning, open communication, and community involvement, ensuring that worship remains a source of spiritual nourishment and unity.
A worship leader must be firm not to compromise scriptures and the doctrine of the church in the face of any challenge. Anglican worship, liturgy, and spirituality are deeply rooted in tradition yet open to adaptation, which presents unique challenges and responsibilities for those leading worship.
It doesn’t matter the labels we are given—whether viewed through the lens of stereotypes or misconceptions about our spirituality—we remain steadfast in our mission to reach the entire nation with the message of hope and love found in Christ. Our commitment to evangelism is unparalleled; we strive to share the Gospel with vigor and passion, ensuring that the transformative message of Jesus Christ reaches every corner of our communities.
We take pride in our dedication to discipline, recognizing that a strong foundation in faith requires both accountability and growth. Our practices are designed to foster a culture of integrity and transparency, ensuring that we operate with honesty and openness in all our endeavors. We believe that these qualities are essential in building trust within our congregation and the wider community, allowing us to effectively demonstrate the values of our faith.
As we carry out our mission, we are not defined by the misconceptions that may surround us but by our actions andcommitment to service. We aim to be a beacon of light in a world that often craves authenticity and truth. In doing so, we invite others to explore the depth of our faith and witness the impact of our unified efforts in evangelism, discipline, and transparency.
Ultimately, our identity is rooted in our calling to serve God and others, and we approach this calling with a spirit of unity and purpose. Together, we remain at the forefront of ministry in our nation, echoing the love of Christ and striving to make a lasting difference in the lives we touch.
A worship leader must motivate encourage, be patient, should develop his ministry, mentor others, help the dejected, rejected, those that are nursing hurts, hates and are psychologically sick.
As we gather together in this solemn assembly this day, we should be aware and convinced that worship is a demand of God from us and the congregation of God in our care and it should be done according to His requirements as we have in John 4:24"God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth”.
Therefore, it is required of us to do all that it takes within the permission of the scripture and the Holy Spirit to worship and lead in worship always in spirit and truth, so that the blessings that comes with worship may be evident in us and the people we lead as we have in Exodus 23:25-27"Worship the Lord your God, and his blessing will be on your food and water. I will take away sickness from among you, and none will miscarry or be barren in your land. I will give you a full life span .I will send my terror ahead of you and throw into confusion every nation you encounter. I will make all your enemies turn their backs and run.”
Thank you and God bless.
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