The Gift of Liturgical Diversity in the PCA
Amid a recent escalation in social media posts and articles proposing that the Directory for Worship in the PCA’s Book of Church Order be made constitutionally binding, I offer these initial observations.
The theological and missional unity of the PCA is not threatened by the presence of symphonic diversity in the liturgical practices of her congregations. Attempts to flatten that symphony into a proposed uniformity are a disservice to its unity and beauty. Such attempts sound a discordant note that threatens to fragment communion rather than enhance our unified commitment to the Gospel and the Great Commission.
An eruption of a legion of debates about what constitutes what is constitutionally binding will follow such proposals. Meanwhile, vital matters of renewal, mission, strengthening judicial process to protect victims of abuse, etc, will languish.
A constitutionally binding Directory of Worship is not needed, and it’s unwise to pursue it. It can only lead to fragmentation between those happy or unhappy over the outcome of such a project, whatever it may look like. Our diversity in this area has strengthened our capacity to work together on mission. It has helped us grow in grace and faith rather than impeding it. This diversity will allow church pioneers, Sessions, and Presbyteries to apply the Regulative Principle across varied cultures and people groups, expanding mission, widening the reach of churches in their evangelistic and pastoral endeavors, and strengthening members as they encounter the Gospel faithfully proclaimed in preaching, prayer, song, and sacrament.
When I consider the varied worship spaces of some of the congregations I admire and know well, places like Covenant Pres in Nashville, Christ Community in Franklin, All Saints Pres and Redeemer Pres in Austin, Spanish River in Boca Raton, or Coral Ridge Pres in Ft. Lauderdale, I am once again reminded that our denominational liberty on the arrangement and musical-liturgical expression of covenant-renewing, Christ-proclaiming worship has helped us grow and reach many kinds of people in many parts of the country.
Over the years, I've been privileged to serve PCA congregations with very diverse liturgical practices. All were criticized for their worship. The criticism covered everything imaginable: those who thought the churches either too formal and rigid or too "free”; for holding to a lectionary approach to preaching or for "acting like a Bible Church”; for weekly communion or not offering it often enough; for the use of wine in communion or the use of grape juice; for women reading Scripture and leading in prayer and for the absence of our sisters serving in such ways; for the use of Genva gowns or jeans; for the priority of prayer in the service or for not praying long enough; for traditional liturgy or contemporary informality; for archaic hymns and chanting Psalms with organ accompaniment or for welcoming CCM artists and singing newer songs accompanied by a band (or even RUF arrangements of older hymns); being “too Lutheran” and “too Anglican” or being “too Pentecostal” (some people really don’t like hand-clapping); for online services or their lack; for offering coffee and for not allowing it; for having no “children’s service” and for providing one, and on and on and on… and I have LOVED ALL of these congregations and benefited by worshipping in and with them all. I do not want the PCA to lose that diversity in pursuit of an imposed uniformity that squeezes everyone into a particular mold of what is found acceptable in only certain circles.
The recently discovered zeal to create such a constitutional status for the Directory of Worship arises not from a widely expressed need to address this as a shortcoming in the PCA but rather from a few voices only, all representative of one of our faithful, beautiful tribes. It’ll be received by others with all the enthusiasm of another tribe insisting we alter the BCO to ordain deaconesses. It’s an untenable and unwise project, and those pursuing it - who are perfectly free to create liturgical forms in their churches in keeping with their view of what is most faithfully Reformed - should abandon the venture of imposing this burden on all.
Friends, our doxological diversity is a grace to rejoice in, not a problem to be overcome.