a definition of alternative worship

A definition of alternative worship by Steve Collins 2005 (from www.alternativeworship.org )

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

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

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

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

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