A definition of alternative worship
by Steve Collins 2005
What:
- Christians reinventing faith expression for themselves within their own cultural settings
- a response to postmodern Western society and cultural change
- faith expression within culture not in a parallel 'Christian' culture
- reconsideration of all inherited church forms and structures, including recent modernising ones
- rediscovery of ancient and alternative Christian traditions as resources for the present and future
- paradigm shift from centralised into networked forms of church
Not:
- not intended to transition people into existing forms of church
- not an attempt to reach particular social or cultural groups
- not about making Christianity appear cool or fashionable
- not a restyling of existing forms and structures
When:
- beginning UK late 1980s
- established Australia/New Zealand by mid 1990s
- emerging in USA/Canada/Europe since 2000
Who:
- a diverse network of individuals and small groups, practitioners and theorists
- no single centre or authority
- no single theological position or statement of beliefs but mostly within Christian orthodoxy
- sometimes working within existing church structures, sometimes forming separate churches
- crossing denominational and theological boundaries, even within single groups
- high levels of friendship and exchange of ideas throughout movement
- loose structures, little hierarchy
- no fixed leadership or fixed roles
- many of the people in positions of influence or leadership are not ordained or church employees
Ethos:
- authenticity - faith expression that truly represents the people who make and take part in it
- faith as journey, to be facilitated rather than controlled
- giving people space for their own encounter with God
- an exploration of creativity - in everyone, not just a gifted few
- risk-taking, experimental - openness to failure and mistakes
- holistic - life not divided into sacred and secular
- any part of our lives and abilities as potential material for faith expression
- participation - involvement encouraged, passive consumption discouraged
- minimal exclusion - shaped by whoever gets involved
- consensus - not one person imposing their direction
- low threshold of permission - in general if you want to do something go ahead
- high quality, as good as we can make it - culturally aware
- awareness of ourselves as part of God's creation, and a concern for its welfare
- the entire expression of the faith community seen as 'church' not just one event
- reluctance to draw boundaries that determine who or what is in or out of God's kingdom
- openness to God's presence in any area of life or culture
How an event is made:
- events generally planned around a chosen theme
- everything that happens communicates aspects of theme
- no fixed or obligatory elements
- almost anything permitted if it communicates
- shape of event worked out in group
- individuals take pieces of the event to do
- event comes together on the day without rehearsal, in accordance to the shape agreed during planning
- high level of trust in people's ability to deliver appropriate content
- events not restricted to conventional church timetables or venues
What usually happens:
- event led by many people not one or two
- relaxed, informal
- congregation are active participants
- discussions - small groups or whole congregation
- rituals and liturgies - ancient eg Holy Communion or newly created
- moving around the space
- interaction with installations and artworks
- periods when people can do different things at the same time
- learning by exploration and interaction, not located in a single 'teaching' slot
What usually doesn't happen:
- sermons or didactic teaching
- sitting in one place all the time
- worship bands, choirs or organs
- one person at the front directing everything
- Powerpoint presentations
New forms of church environment:
- no pews or rows of seats
- no pulpit
- no stage
- non-directional space - no front to face, things happen all around
- soft seating, beanbags, sit or lie on floor
- cafe spaces - chairs and tables, sofas, food and drink
- intimate lighting - spotlights, candles, TVs, projections
- installations and artworks
- ambient music - as background to everything including speech and prayer
- ambient video - relevant to event content but not attention-grabbing
- creative use of available technology and media, including from home or work
- technology and media used as environment or art as well as presentation tools
- venue may not be existing church building
