U2charist... Have U2 songs become the new songbook of the emerging Church?
Friday, May 18, 2007 at 5:47PM 
I have been preparing for an address that I will be giving at a conference in two weeks time (here's a link that will give you some details on the conference).
One of the talks that I will be doing is on the future of worship... I have been praying, pondering, reading, and thinking about the topic. In my search I came across a remarkable article on the 'Preaching Today' blog, called 'Mixing Pop Culture, Video, and Church'.
Of course there are many of us who have already begun to create multi-sensory worship experiences (through the use of sounds, video, drama, interaction, and of course silence [by the way, watch nooma 005 | Rob Bell silence, it's a superb challenge to contemporary Church!). However, at the end of the article the author, Ray Hamm, makes the following interesting comment, and asks a few pertinent questions:
One of the things they did was to play lots of U2 songs. Each Sunday had a separate focus centered around a U2 song: "Mysterious Ways," "In the Name of Love," "City of Blinding Lights," and "Beautiful Day." The band played covers of each song almost note for note, and produced great versions.
They said that some people in the church community were upset by their initial mailer, but the director of creative arts here at Daybreak said there were more concerned with attracting non-Christians than offending people [emphasis mine, I like this approach to Church!].
So what do you think about this? Are these sorts of services (that mix pop culture and church) a good way to reach people or a way of "selling out" to the culture? And, between this and the U2Charist, are U2 songs the new prayer book of choice?
Would you be brave enough to have a Eucharistic service and use U2 songs instead of hymns and worship songs? Perhaps that's just exactly what we should be doing to attract a new generation of 'seeker'....
Check out the following link for more on the U2charist (it even gives an order of service outlining which songs can be used).
What is the future of worship? Leave me a comment, I'd love to include your thoughts (properly referenced of course!) in my presentation.
Reader Comments (4)
Two weeks ago my Vicar asked me to move our 'Informal' service (thats actually what its called *cringe*) in which we've been trying Cafe Church to our main monthly Family Service. So we moved from the church to the shcool hall, set out tables instead of pews, had cake and coffee throughout the service instead of communion (although I daren't suggest that it might have been communion :-) ) and we had a service focused on discussion and interaction that included the whole family. We had multi-media displays as a call to worship, drama, response prayers, a short talk, discussion, activities on the tables, sung worship, prayer for others and reflection. All within an hour!! It was really a fantastic service, a few oldies didn't like the distraction of eating cake while praying, but others said it had a very real sense of worship! Check out www.angelspace.org.uk for a bigger event of similar ilk aimed at young people!
There is SOOO much to wade through on your blog this week. Feeling rather confused right now but thanks for making me put my thinking cap on as I SLOWLY move from my comfort zone. Maybe I need to start my own blog,,,,,,,
Love and blessings
Janet
Hi Dion
I can relate totally with what you have been saying. I have for many years used the songs and titles for sermons. I honestly believe that U2 do have something to say. I have also used Stings song "fragile' in a Good Friday service which worked very well...
I think if we want to be relevant then there is going to have to be a combination of pop culture and church. My only fear is when we sell out to the popular culture instead of trying find some form of middle ground.
I once downloaded a powerpoint with all the liturgy. Not sure where it is. Also not sure if I have the ... to do it in church, even if I have done some strange things in the past.