Liturgical Practices in an Age of Social Media

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Liturgical Practices in an Age of Social Media

When time allows, I attempt to read the assigned books for our RCA courses. This past year, the new addition to the RCA Worship course syllabus is “You Are What You Love” by James K.A. Smith. This book definitely addresses our Reformed interest in liturgy while also dealing with some present day cultural practices that encourage new liturgical rhythms for our first-world existence. Smith’s observations include the following:

“When we stop worrying about smartphones just in terms of content (what we’re looking at) and start to consider the rituals that tether us to them throughout the day, we’ll notice that the very form of the practice comes loaded with egocentric vision that makes me the center of the universe.” (46)

Smith is concerned that this new phenomenon of our culture will shape us in very negative ways. I believe he has a point and everyday habits most certainly impact us. As Todd Billings says in his book Remembrance, Communion and Hope:

“On one level it is important to recognize that our culture will inevitably shape us in certain ways, we are shaped by the symbolic world and rituals that we inhabit.” (11) Billings goes on to make the modern-day observation as he addresses the René Descartes statement “I think, therefore I am”:

Beyond René Descartes himself, contemporary consumer culture, saturated with social media, can reinforce variations of this: the products I buy, I post, therefore I am… affections and habits are much more basic in forming human identity than our conscious thinking.” (31)

Although Billings and Smith are correct to a certain extent, I also believe that this modern-day habit of checking one’s smartphone allows individuals to differentiate and to focus on others in ways they otherwise would not have. Smith suggests that what we do, in reality does something to us. “That’s why the most powerful liturgies are attuned to our embodiment.” And so, I ask myself, “What does my liturgical practice of checking Instagram at least once a day do to me?” What happens to me when I see the many images and read the updates of those who I would normally not have regular contact with? Could it perhaps connect me in a positive way and solicit responses of empathy?

For me, it certainly keeps me informed about what is happening with colleagues at various seminaries. It alerts me to new podcasts, occasionally prompting me to view one that peeks my interest. I keep up with candidates as they plant churches and learn about major events in their lives. In essence, it keeps me connected to others, both close and far. It pulls me out of my egocentric self.

Recently, it has drawn me into the grief of a small community in Saskatchewan as they lament the tragic loss of young men aspiring to be professional athletes. I am not sure if I had ever heard of Humboldt, Saskatchewan or their hockey team called the Broncos, prior to this heartbreaking accident. From this small community come the daily images of hurting families and spontaneous memorials being erected of hockey jerseys and hockey sticks which have impacted me and caused me to pray for individuals I have never met, because I sense the pain and suffering of these fellow human beings. I embody a ritual through my smartphone that could potentially have me focus on “me,” but also has the potential to focus on others.

Billings and Smith are obviously more profound in their writing than what I have chosen to highlight. They make it clear that our liturgical worship habits on Sunday mornings form us and deepen our relationship with God. “The Spirit works in and through worship, in and through Christian practices, to form Christian identity in deep ways" (Billings, 39). It is spiritual habits, such as the recitation of scripture and the singing of hymns and praise songs that embody themselves in our lives, especially our hearts. And yet, in a sense, all our habitual actions, even the regular peek at out devices, become liturgical and result in the embodiment of spiritual practices. What is the motivation on our part that tethers us to our devices? Is it about prioritizing our selfish ego, or, is it a different way to broaden our awareness of the sovereign God and His deep love for humanity? It is something to wonder about.

Cor

Courses & Events

Registration material for RCA Standards and RCA Worship, Summer Intensives, which will commence on May 29 and end on June 8, has gone out to individual emails. If you did not receive the registration material and you are interested in the courses, please contact Kelly Talsma @ ktalsma@rca.org.

RCA Standards   May 28 – June 2
Holland, MI
Instructor: Dr. Wayne Brouwer

RCA Worship   June 4 – 8
Holland, MI
Co-instructors: Dr. Timothy Brown & Dr. Gregg Mast

General Synod June 7 – 12
Grand Rapids, MI

RCSC Certification Committee June 12 – 14
Holland, MI

Registration information for lodging during the Seminar for Pastoral Formation week long intensive is available to each student engaged in the course. Please find it on Canvas Learning Management System in the module named May 21-25 Residential Intensive – Geneva Shores. If you have questions concerning the course or this lodging option please contact Kelly Talsma @ ktalsma@rca.org.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Rev. Grace Rohrer was ordained at American Reformed Church in Orange City, Iowa by the Classis of East Sioux on Sunday, April 8, 2018. Rev. Rohrer presently serves Taiwanese Presbyterian Church in Northern Jersey.

Pastor Michael Gafa has accepted the call to be the Executive Pastor of the Classis of Wisconsin. He most recently served the Regional Synod of the Great Lakes and the Classis of North Grand Rapids.

Opportunities and Placement

All female candidates: The Beth Marcus Scholarship application is now available for the 2018-19 year and the application link is included below.

The deadline was April 15^th, but we are accepting applications this week.

We would really like everyone to have a chance to receive the scholarship award.

All RCA master’s degree/ordination candidates are invited to apply here.

Senior Pastor Position

Christ’s Church of St. Peters, Missouri is seeking a Senior Pastor to replace their retiring founding pastor. The Church Profile, Job Description and information regarding application can be found at https://www.celebrating.org/pastoral-search. Applications will be received until June 1, 2018.

Equipping Adults Pastor Position

Alto Reformed Church is seeking someone to help live out its vision to develop and deploy Christ-like leaders. Is God calling you to join our Lead Pastor, Equipping Children Ministry Director, Equipping Youth Ministry Director, and Office Manager in helping this healthy, multi-generational congregation multiply its impact on the community and world? Responsibilities will include oversight of all adult discipleship and outreach ministries, including the development of a young adult ministry, an assimilation process, and a leadership development path. This person will assist with preaching, planning services, and pastoral care. You can find more information at www.AltoReformedChurch.org/hiring. Please send résumé, profile or completed application to Office@AltoReformedChurch.org.

Megan Vande Zande
Office Administrator
Alto Reformed Church
N3697 County Road EE
Waupun, WI 53963
920.346.5505

Full time Pastor Position

Faith Community Church in Wishek, ND is looking for a full-time pastor to guide us in our new denominational affiliation with the RCA. We are excited to welcome a strong spiritual leader into our faith-community. Our church is a vital part of our local faith and community network. Wishek is a vibrant, rural community in the heart of prime hunting and fishing territory and is very family oriented. We are a welcoming, tight-knit congregation hungry to hear the Word of God. We have a strong base of young families and a vision to raise-up spiritually-strong young people who can carry their faith into the community and beyond. As a congregation we are eager to learn from, and work with, an enthusiastic and God-led pastor.

If interested in more information about this full-time position please contact: Roxanne Henke, Search Committee Co-chair at: roxannehenke@yahoo.com or by phone at: 701-426-8422

Director's Travel Schedule

April 17 – 19 Des Moines, Iowa
April 24 – 26 Philadelphia & New Jersey
May 1 – 3 Chicago
May 20 – 21 Holland, Michigan
May 27 – June 17 Holland, Michigan