Crucial Christianity: A New Lectionary for Seekers, Disciples, and Mentors in Mission
The Emerging Inadequacy of the Common Lectionary
One of the implications of the post-Christendom world is that the strategy of a “common lectionary” is breaking down. Originally designed as a liturgical device to customize prayers through the Christian Year, the common lectionary emerged in the 20th century as a preaching schedule to ecumenically unify denominations and standardize worship. Theoretically, this made it easier for clergy, Christian educators, curriculum developers, and publishing houses. Yet key assumptions no longer hold true:
· The Christendom world has not been replaced by a secular world, but by a pagan world;
· A Christian Year has been absorbed into a pagan year;
· Entire generations do not know the even the basics of the Bible;
· Cultural uniformity has been shattered by emerging micro-cultures, each demanding indigenous and experiential forms of worship;
· Literacy is no longer the preferred learning methodology of contemporary culture;
· Pastoral leadership is less centered on preaching than on modeling spiritual life.
The need for membership assimilation has been surpassed by the need for a discipling process. The old common lectionary either assumed everyone had something in common or needed to know a common body of knowledge. A new plan is needed to acquaint seekers with the Christ, and take disciples deeper into Christ’s mission, which assumes people are very different with assorted missions.
An Alternative Lectionary for Uncommon People
The alternative lectionary is designed for multiple option worship … not blended worship. There are two one-year cycles. Each cycle assumes that:
* A worship team will design worship, and not simply the pastor with the cooperation of an organist. The team will be a true spirituality cell group, including (but not limited to) a faith-sharer, music coordinator, technology provider, and drama coach. Worship will arise from the interaction of their focused spiritual lives, the experience of Christ in the community, and the worship text.
* Worship will focus on a single text, usually a substantial block of the Biblical story, allowing more latitude for the worship team to explore the nuances of scripture relevant to any particular context.
* The end result of worship is to draw people deeper into a discipling process, rather than membership assimilation. The only measurement of good worship is that it helps people experience the transforming power of God and walk daily with Jesus in mission.
While the common lectionary generally supported expository preaching and responsive liturgy, the alternative lectionary generally supports either motivational speaking or extensive coaching. The former was resourced by commentaries and curricula; the latter is resourced by multi-media databanks.
The Seeker Cycle:
The “Seeker Cycle” is modeled after the evangelical experience of the ancient “mission to the gentiles”. The preaching of Paul in Athens is an example. Paul connects with the spirituality of the public, shares the basic story of Christ and his own experience of change and call, and in turn connects the crowd with members of his team for additional 1:1 mentoring or large group teaching.
The “Seeker Cycle” in the alternative lectionary helps spiritually yearning, institutionally alienated people (“God-Fearers” in New Testament language) become familiar with the 52 basic Bible texts that every Christian should know … in a context of worship that is designed to address their particular spiritual need.
* The single worship text is one of 26 Old Testament or 26 New Testament passages, and represents a single block or story of scripture;
* The scripture meditation texts for the worship design team are taken exclusively from Luke and the Acts of the Apostles to help the team focus on ancient-contemporary mission;
* The annual strategy of worship is designed to connect with the pagan year (or the great “spiritual moments” in public life).
The worship experience will likely be some form of healing, celebration, or coaching. The intent is to draw individuals into 1:1 mentoring relationships, or into some form of large group teaching with non-professional spiritual leaders.
(The appendix provides the tentative schedule of the cycle, but one should note the special instructions to customize freely … especially to connect with local public spiritual events or adapt to the calendar of the southern hemisphere.)
The Disciple Cycle:
The “Disciple Cycle” is modeled after the mentoring experience of the apostles and the later monastic experience of the 4th- 10th centuries. Spiritual leaders invite a small group of disciples into a more intense lifestyle of coaching, praying, and serving closely centered on the experience of Christ. Disciples discern a clearer sense of personal mission in which they seek to imitate Christ’s behavior and merge with Christ’s presence.
The “Disciple Cycle” is again led by a worship team whose meditations on a single scripture help them design worship that also focuses on a single, distinct Biblical passage. In the “Disciple Cycle”, however, scriptures are specifically chosen and surrounded by worship using three criteria:
1) The “Story Lines”: The year is divided into five distinct Biblical “story lines”.
May – June: Israel’s Covenant (including Abraham through Joshua);
July – Aug.: David’s Legacy (including Samuel through Psalms);
Sept. – Oct.: Faithful Servants (including Job, Nehemiah/Esther, and the Prophets);
Nov. – Jan.: Jesus’ Purpose (including Gospels, Epistles, early Genesis);
Feb. – Apr.: Christian’s Mission (including Epistles, Acts, Revelation).
Generally speaking, this divides the year equally between the Old and New Testaments. Christmas becomes the centerpiece of a 12 week preparation and follow-up. Easter becomes the centerpiece of a 12 week exploration of both corporate AND personal mission.
2) The “Spiritual Life Focus”: Each week the scripture is focused on one of the three aspects of spiritual life: faith, hope, and lifestyle.
* “Faith” scriptures help disciples ponder bedrock beliefs, leading them to reflect on theology and doctrine;
* “Hope” scriptures help disciples ponder and discern Biblical visions, leading them to experience comfort, encouragement, and confidence;
* “Lifestyle” scriptures help disciples to shape their lifestyles around the classic behavior expectations of Christian people. (Note that the lectionary deliberately does not use the word “love” because of its vague and psychological pagan meanings).
3) The “Jesus Experience”: Each week the worship design team aims worship to help participants focus explicitly on Christ, and experience Christ in one of the following classic six ways:
* The “Apocalyptic Jesus” radically transforming and changing life and lifestyle;
* The “Healing Jesus” bringing holistic health;
* The “Mentoring Jesus” guiding people through ambiguity;
* The “Addiction-Free Jesus” revealing the pure, fresh essence of humanity;
* The “Vindicating Jesus” freeing people from victimization;
* Jesus the “Heir to Eden” giving purpose to history and individual life.
The worship design team may use spiritual disciplines like “Talisman” or “Rosary” to merge their spiritual lives with community need and the experience of Christ.
The “Disciple Cycle” assumes that ALL worship participants will later meet together in small groups with a spiritual leader (either following worship or later during the week). A scripture is also provided for small group discussion which builds on the worship theme.
Other forms of worship (e.g. “traditional”) can be used along side the seeker and disciple cycles. The two forms, however, are very distinct. The Common Lectionary cannot be integrated into the alternative lectionary … nor should it be. These are distinct tracks for “Christendom” and “post-Christendom” people. Similarly, traditional worship offices of clergy, organist, choir, etc., should not be assumed to be transferable to the seeker and disciple cycles of the alternative lectionary. Non-professionals may in fact be preferable because do not bring with them the habits of traditionally trained worship leaders. Both lectionary alternatives have a faithful and legitimate place in the church.