First Love - Maple Ridge Christian Reformed Church

the underground

I am an open door village of experience, sound, and conversation. Streets run through me like vessels of blood filled with automobiles of spiritual desire. I sweep our streets of the litter left by religious segregationalists and in the evenings I invite neighbours over for wine and conversations with the Artist of Love.

The emergence of the postmodern era is only now beginning to impact the world and the church in a profound way. The church of the 21st century may have more in common with the church of the apostolic era than with the church of the 20th century. First Love is an attempt to explore the worship of the past and embrace that of the future. It is designed for the emerging generation of Young Adults but is open to all. Come and experience authentic worship and teaching as we gather to explore the mysteries of faith.

NEXT FIRST LOVE:

SUNDAY February 3, 2008

7:30pm

"In an age when many Western churches attempt to experience God's presence with bare walls, clapping congregants and clergy wearing jeans and pastel shirts, a contemporary evangelical may find an Orthodox service to be a sensory smorgasbord - an uncommonly reverent, even mystical event. Experiencing fragrant incense, lavish artwork, luxurient symbolism and suptuous architecture is like being transported not only to another time, but to another realm."

- Patricia Paddey "Orthodoxy Through Evangelical Eyes"

"The problem is, we are living in a culture that breeds spectators....Spectator worship has been and always will be an oxymoron."

- Sally Morgenthaler "Worship Evangelism"

Postmodern generations are giving the church a gift (which most churches still have yet to unwrap...). The gift can carry us beyond the "traditional" and "contemporary" and into the ancient and future.

Because of their deep spiritual hunger, postmodern people are refusing false dichotomies and flawed choices in worship. Instead, they are seeking worship that is "deep, broad, and high," or as Leonard Sweet describes the postmodern ethos, worship that is "E.P.I.C" (experiential, participatory, image centered and connected).

"Ancient Future" worship, like all worship, should in some ways resemble the tradition doing it. if it is not authentic, its bogus and a show. Authenticity is so key... I can't say it enough.

In this area there is no predetermined worship style. What is key is taking seriously the witness of the early church (acts 2:42) and the ethos of today's culture, and doing so in a way authentic to your tradition (whatever that may be)."

(Excerpt from www.emergingchurch.com)