Evangelicals Go Back to the Future

Below you will find the link to a fascinating story from the Washington Post. According to this article, a growing number of evangelicals (yes even the shopping center sized mega-churchers) have started turning to early church practices, like observing Lenten fasts and even weekly confession, in a movement now known as "worship renewal". Here's a brief segment of the article:

This represents a "major sea change in evangelical life," according to D.H. Williams, professor of patristics and historical theology at Baylor University. "Evangelicalism is coming to point where the early church has become the newest staple of its diet."

Experts say most who have taken on such practices have grown disillusioned with the contemporary, shopping-center feel of the megachurches embraced by baby boomers, with their casually dressed ministers and rock-band praise music.

Instead, evangelicals -- many of them young -- are adopting a trend that has come to be known as "worship renewal" or "ancient-future worship."

Of course other evangelicals see this trend negatively and do not support the movement.

Regardless, this points out that religious outlook swings on a pendulum much like other social trends. The article doesn't make any reference to the funeral practices adopted by this movement, though no doubt some of those patterns will change as well, perhaps leading back to a more traditional outlook on disposition.

Time will tell.

Washington Post: Feeling Renewed By Ancient Traditions

Comments

[John]

BT -

Show me an individual who dives into the deep end of the religious pool and I'll show you a person who is "wanting" in other aspects of their life.

Most people strike a harmonious balance regarding incorporating religious beliefs into their lives. They attend church every Sunday -- or perhaps a few Sundays every year -- and they participate in their church bazaar. Personally, I think many of these folks join a church as a social outlet.

When an individual's life revolves completely around religion, there's either a problem or a problem will surface in the near future. Oftentimes these people are mere parrots for their ministers and frequently, they are intolerant of the spiritual views of others.

Overall, I think the economy of the country will have a greater impact on funeral service buying trends rather than what a particular religion requires/doesn't require of their members.

Regards,

John