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Permalink Reply by Olivia on 5th mo. 26, 2014 at 5:00pm

Fine by me.  :-)

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Permalink Reply by David Rogers on 6th mo. 20, 2014 at 9:43am

A very point Clem.  I've always thought "Unprogrammed" a rather clunky term, although I respect it as a traditional term.     Open Worship is a nice, positive, light-filled, engaging term.

David

Britain Yearly Meeting

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Permalink Reply by James C Schultz on 6th mo. 20, 2014 at 2:42pm

What does that make "programmed" meetings?  Closed worship?  Not sure how open our brethren would be to that.:)

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Permalink Reply by Forrest Curo on 6th mo. 20, 2014 at 6:16pm

"Packaged" meetings?

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Permalink Reply by Olivia on 6th mo. 20, 2014 at 7:47pm

ha ha "packaged".    Yes, we want to use language respectful of meetings that have liturgy or other scheduled activities and not name them according to our bias for "fresh-light-of-God-or-bust."

Forrest Curo said:

"Packaged" meetings?

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Permalink Reply by Howard Brod on 7th mo. 7, 2014 at 7:38pm

Many Friends within liberal Quakerism prefer "expectant waiting" rather than the clinical term "unprogrammed", or even "silent" which might give the misimpression that we forbade vocal ministry.  I think "expectant waiting" actually captures nicely what Friends strive to do in their lives before entering worship, then strive to do as a gathered group upon entering worship, and finally strive to take with us to the world upon leaving worship.  

I rarely hear the term "unprogrammed worship" any more among those who worship in expectant waiting.  It's usually only used to distinguish between the worship practice between different branches of Quakers. 

For many Christian churches (not necessarily Quaker churches), the term "open worship" denotes a brief period when worshippers are able to speak what's on their mind.  In my experience that time comes from a mental place that might be inspiring, beautiful, and prayerful - but not from the same deep place that often occurs from a place of listening to the Spirit during expectant waiting - which by its nature denotes a communion state of being with God.

Might the term "expectant waiting" also nicely describe what pastoral Friends strive to do during their "open worship" time?

Just my thoughts based on my experience . . .  But then words/terms/labels are always inadequate.

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