Liquid Church

Sometimes I don't know where to post things. That's the problem with having multiple blogs. Especially when I have a general one that loads of people read and this little one that's specialist but nobody really knows about!

I read Liquid Church by Pete Ward. Considering that I've been gradually becoming more interested in emerging church stuff I'm surprised it's taken me this long to get round to reading it. I've read other books about 'future church', 'church next', '21st century church' and so far they've all been a load of hot air.

The reason I'm having this posting dilemma is that this (Liquid Church) is not like the rest. It is a great book, and therefore I should tell as many people as possible about it - which means posting a review on my main blog (http://www.silkworm.org.uk/blog/) but the subject matter fits better here so I shall post it here for starters.

Reasons I like liquid church:

The book isn't particularly heavy on the theological side, but good theology has a priority - the idea of liquid church may actually be reactionary against culture, but it isn't portrayed that way, in this book, the theology comes first, then and only then is the current culture consulted. This is proper theology too - it's easy to read but draws on a wide range of theological traditions (with real quotes and everything!)

Pete Ward does not mention postmodernism (yeah!!! woo!). The book does try to understand society and culture but doesn't resort to simply repeating the introductory chapter of a sociology textbook from the eighties. Thank goodness for that.

The insights into culture were actually things I could recognise from my own life and that of my friends; the importance of networks of communication, becoming accustomed to constant change and a more risky way of life (there are no permanent jobs, people move around more freely etc.) and, to my surprise, an acceptance of consumer culture - and a broader understanding of consumerism than simply 'materialism is evil!'

"Church leaders will need a fundamental change of heart if they are to start to take consumer culture seriously. Instead of opposing materialism and treating consumer choice as evil, we need to begin to embrace the sensibilities of consumption. This means that we must develop a church life that connects with what people want, and one vital ingredient will make this change possible. the church must change its emphasis from meeting people's spiritual needs to stimulating their desires." (p72)

That desire is really important. Yesterday I went to my church for the evening service. It was all about worship - how important it is to keep on worshipping (especially if we don't feel like it! I'm sure you've heard that before). Given that that was the theme of the service it was ironic that I found it very difficult to worship.

The preacher had had the experience lots of ministers do that as soon as people find out she's a minister they start asking if they really need to go to church to be a christian. She said that on one occasion she surprised people by saying yes - that part of being a christian is a commitment to worship - with other christians.

My problem is not with the answer she gave, but with what lies behind the question. Honestly, I do think you can be a christian without being part of a church, but I wouldn't really want to. When I've heard most people ask that question (or ones like it) all I can hear is the guilt behind it - like a child desperately hoping to be given an excuse to get out of going to the dentist! (Please tell me I don't have to go to a church, please!!!). How do we stimulate desire for God so that going to church isn't like going to the dentist but something you'd actually freely choose to do?

Where the book falls down somewhat is when it comes to the practicalities of what 'liquid church' might look like. I understand the reasons for that, we don't really know what it might look like, but I was hoping for something more tangible - examples and ideas.

I also felt that though there were some good points about worship (my own particular focus) the examples of worship given were somewhat weak - all variations on the same theme of - you can have stations and pray in different ways at each station. Liquid church should release us to be more creative in worship - not less! surely it should encourage more variety and not simply be a manual of 101 ways to light a candle.