As I watched the kids passionately worship and sing "CHRIST HAS DIED, CHRIST IS RISEN, CHRIST WILL COME AGAIN, I was reminded that we needed to know Church history. This phrase is part of the memorial acclamation of the Mass (the celebration of communion) and has been part of the church's expression since the third century. It's historical and ancient and thus I believe this is why it is finding such resonance with this generation. Not only in Catholic churches, this phrase and expression can be found in most churches who use a forma liturgical form and expression for the communion rite.
There is within the next generation of worshipers a desire to connect present faith with past faith and the way that they have found to do that is through prayers, forms and songs of the ancient church. I'm hearing more and more of the influence of early church fathers in their songs, their writings, their philosophy and more.
Here's where we can help. We must not only know our church history but we must know Biblical history and where worship has come from even before the church began. By knowing these things we can help frame for this generation of worshipers the context in which some of these things were written and came to being as part of the church's worship expression.
Writers such as Matt Maher and Audrey Assad are some of the best examples I can find who weave these ancient practices into current worship songs. The depth of these songs and their meanings I believe are what are drawing people to them as their expressions of worship.
Once and Future Worship
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