An article at the Christian Post several days ago revealed that recent research contained a counter-intuitive finding. It found that younger churchgoers are TWICE as likely as older churchgoers to prefer a more liturgical, traditional, structured worship service. One might have expected precisely the opposite based on trends over the last couple of decades.
The “worship wars” have been ongoing for many years. Authentic Christians would likely assert that we ought to worship the way that God wants to be worshipped.
However, within evangelicalism there has been more of a marketing approach. The philosophy? Put out there what might draw the masses so the gospel reaches more people. Many dispense with structure almost completely. They often don’t even bother printing an order of worship to be included in the bulletin handed out as people enter the church building.
The response of young people to this poll ought to arouse attention. I don’t claim to know how to interpret the result, Are they perceiving that the less structured, contemporary approach is somehow less genuine?
If I were a Catholic I would prefer the Latin Mass . And if I were a Baptist, Lutheran or Methodist then I would prefer a moderate reverential service. ( Actually I have been all three )
I too don’t claim know how to interpret the results.
One thing for sure, I don’t care for the Rockabilly service !
Fred, I would be fascinated to know precisely what these people see in the more contemporary service that is causing them to reject it. I wonder if this is rebellion against their parents’ preferences? Or is it something else they are perceiving about it?
Your own preferences have been typical of seniors in the past. As boomers increasingly became seniors over the last decade, that changed somewhat.