This interview will be presented as part two in a three-part series.
Christ Seul: How would you respond to people who may say that your ideas put too much emphasis on structure and the human role in worship, that they don’t give enough space for the moving of God’s Spirit?
Janie Blough:We must not lose sight of the fact that God alone is the one who initiates worship. Whatever we do is response to God’s redemption in and through Jesus; listening to God’s word, praying, singing … are these not expressions of God’s presence? (See Acts 2:42-46.)
As for structure (and there is always structure), the question becomes what kind of structure is it, good or bad? What kind of structure will favor an encounter with God, a dialogue between God and God’s people? God speaks and we actively listen. This model accommodates all worship styles and permits both order and spontaneity. We speak of writing or musical style; the style of worship is similar. Style is simply the manner in which a community expresses the content of its worship. We need to implement a flexible/light structure that, at the same time, helps build up the community, as described in 1 Corinthians 14. The following four-part structure provides order, while permitting such liberty:
1. Gathering.
2. Active listening to God’s word.
3. Responding to God’s word.
4. Sending people out with God’s blessing to share the good news.
Members at Orodara Mennonite Church in Burkina Faso lift their voices in worship. Photo by Lynda Hollinger-Janzen.
The Mille Voix choir, lead by Mobutu Bongela, leads lively worship at the Mennonite Headquarters in Tshikapa, Congo. Photo by James R. Krabill.
Mission worker Janie Blough (far right) sings with the choir at Eglise Evanglique Mennonite Church for her ordination service. Photo by Amy Schmid.
