Praise, Prayer and Praxis

Ecumenical Review, The, April, 2001 by Myra Blyth

Liturgical responses around the world contain within their mood, intonation, rhythm and pitch a rich variety of theological perspectives. As we sing them, so we can enter into the hopes, struggles and spirituality of brothers and sisters far from us geographically, and even confessionally, but one with us in the faith.

Whilst hymns and songs are less a feature of the ecumenical liturgical tradition, a steady stream of songs have been produced within the modern ecumenical movement, giving expression to the key themes and issues which concern the ecumenical journey. These songs carry an explicit concern for justice and peace, and offer people a welcome alternative to the popular diet of individualistic "praise songs" so much a feature of the modern charismatic movement. The Iona community, amongst others, have provided some fine current examples of contemporary liturgical songs, including the song used at the end of the service to launch the ecumenical Decade to Overcome Violence:

   Jesus Christ is waiting, waiting in the streets;
   No one is his neighbour all alone he eats.
   Listen, Lord Jesus, I am lonely too.
   Make me, friend or stranger, fit to wait on you.

   Jesus Christ is raging, raging in the streets,
   Where injustice spirals, and real hope retreats,
   Listen, Lord Jesus, I am angry too.
   In the kingdom's causes let me rage with you.

   Jesus Christ is healing, healing in the streets;
   Curing those who suffer, touching those he greets.
   Listen, Lord Jesus, I have pity too.
   Let my care be active, healing just like you.

   Jesus Christ is dancing, dancing in the streets,
   Where each sign of hatred he, with love, defeats.
   Listen, Lord Jesus, I should triumph too.
   On suspicion's graveyard let me dance with you.

   Jesus Christ is calling, calling in the streets,
   "Who will join my journey? I will guide their feet."
   Listen, Lord Jesus, let my fears be few.
   Walk one step before me; I will follow you.

In contrast with this Iona song, with its counter-cultural values, much contemporary charismatic renewal music reflects in tone and style a culture which is fascinated with power and success. The rich range of human emotions and experience, such as suffering, pain, vulnerability, generosity and mutuality which make up God's world are rarely reflected. Consequently, the ideas which these songs convey about God (and to God) replace the astonishing creativity, diversity, subtlety and variety of the reality of the triune God with an "up front", "in your face", "football terrace" God -- in short they reflect rather than counter the culture of violence in which we live.

The contemporary Christian music industry is hugely powerful. Its music (good, bad and indifferent alike) has managed to cross countries, continents and cultures more quickly than any ideas of the previous missionary era. Just as the missionary movement followed the colonial trading routes to share the gospel, so contemporary religious music publishers are following the investment routes of global businesses, ensuring that Christians in every continent are now swaying to the same tunes and singing the same songs.