I am officially overwhelmed. I just saw the required reading for each week and I am behind. And one of my books has not shown up yet. I did not anticipate this to be such a demanding course. But it is. And my day job is not any less forgiving.
The introductory session was last week, and that was to work out any bugs with on-line discussion groups. There are seven of us in the Monday evening group. As a warmup we have posted comments on a few generic topics for lay worship. It is a little weird discussing in depth topics over a chat room, there is no face to put with ideas. I get the feeling that we will have some very different perspectives on worship.
The introductory webinar was with Dr. Richard Bott. He provided a tonne of insight into what it means to lead a service. How the entire structure of the service fits together to lead everyone in worshiping God. I am excited to put a few of these ideas into practice for my next service (which will be completely rewritten). The biggest learning was to be brave and try something different (but inform the congregation why we are doing something different).
I caught up on homework after the session: critical evaluation of biblical imagery concerning worship spaces, essays on liturgy, and (gasp) practicing lectio divina for the pondering of a short scripture. It was strangely familiar.
I can’t wait for the group session next week.
Blessings.
