The novel 'Chasing
Francis' by Ian Morgan Cron suggests five themes that churches in the
21st century should be pursuing: Meaning, Transcendence, Community,
Dignity and Beauty.
Beauty
is difficult to define because it is something ethereal, ephemeral and
subjective. However I think that there is an objective element as well. Most people
agree when they have encountered something truly beautiful. For example many would agree on the beauty of sunsets and even the most
hardened rock music head-banger will probably be moved by some sublime choral music. Perhaps this is because there is something creative about
beauty which is apparent to the senses, bypassing the intellect. It would account for the fact that an original art
work's beauty cannot be re-captured fully in commercial mass
reproductions.
Places of worship have beauty too - the Abbey at Iona in its island setting comes immediately to mind. As I prepare to lead worship I am challenged to create something that is beautiful! This is often easier said than done and without a grand setting you are working with clay rather than jewels. There is something beautiful about truth and truth that is understood both with the mind and the heart. This must be the beauty of holiness. But where worship is concerned, human beings vary in what they find or consider to be beautiful. God is inherently beautiful and our response in life and worship should be beautiful in reflecting the glory of God. I have heard it said that if worship doesn't have a taste of heaven about it, it isn't worship. Worship needs to reach in and touch us deep inside, and enable our deep inner selves to reach out and touch God. Music, art, things of beauty reflect that part of the creator which is in our nature as we are made in his image. Contemplating things of beauty can often add to our experience of worship.
Places of worship have beauty too - the Abbey at Iona in its island setting comes immediately to mind. As I prepare to lead worship I am challenged to create something that is beautiful! This is often easier said than done and without a grand setting you are working with clay rather than jewels. There is something beautiful about truth and truth that is understood both with the mind and the heart. This must be the beauty of holiness. But where worship is concerned, human beings vary in what they find or consider to be beautiful. God is inherently beautiful and our response in life and worship should be beautiful in reflecting the glory of God. I have heard it said that if worship doesn't have a taste of heaven about it, it isn't worship. Worship needs to reach in and touch us deep inside, and enable our deep inner selves to reach out and touch God. Music, art, things of beauty reflect that part of the creator which is in our nature as we are made in his image. Contemplating things of beauty can often add to our experience of worship.
Methodism in its the early days was blessed with
the beauty of social holiness that it lived and
invited others to be part of. Beauty can also be present when an individual finds purpose
and dignity for their life.
It is the vocation of the church no less, to
transform ugliness into beauty.
Pissaro
- “Blessed are they who see beautiful things in humble places where
other people see nothing”
(This posting is still a work in progress....)
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