Mark Vernon’s recent article explores how limited silence is a part of most Christian worship services today. The current preference for services filled with sound is an historical aberration.
To consider the topic in greater depth, he defers to Diarmaid MacCulloch (pictured at right), professor of the history of the church at Oxford University. MacCulloch chose the silence in Christian history as his topic for the prestigious Gifford Lectures, which are available online.
So What?
Silence has a rich history in the Christian tradition, yet plays an insignificant role in most worship services. In the last ten years, I can think of only one occasion in worship when I experienced silence that extended well beyond one minute. More recently, I have encountered a pastor who regularly encourages more extended silence just before the pastoral prayer. Sadly this “more extended time” lasts just one minute, and is preceded by a lengthy explanation that the experience will likely be challenging for many.
- How much silence is enough in your congregation’s weekly worship service? How do you determine what is “enough”?
- How is silence included in other ministries within your parish? During the past year, how many educational offerings included material on silence?