About Audience Spirituality
January 18, 2016
Let's talk about audience spirituality.
In my research and observation, America has fallen into a certain kind of spectator religion--people go to church, synagogue, Messianic congregations and watch some sort of performance, perhaps worshipping God, but not really interacting in terms of being free to share their input and exercise their gifts. We have devolved into what I term "audience spirituality," such that even when a family finds a congregation compatible to themselves the question remains: is this the kind of spiritual community which facilitates participation, interaction, and service in areas of talent and giftedness for all?
The congregations of the NT era, were all house congregations. They were not arenas for audience spirituality. But all around us, that is all we see.
Do you agree that today we are most often being exposed to audience spirituality and that this stunts the kind of spiritual growth we all need to find?
Certainly! The only place I've found any real connection is a traditional synagogue in the next town over. I get some benefit from a local episcopal church nearby but I'm more at home in the synagogue.
My next blog post will deal with liturgical matters. And my experience with liturgy matches your own. Thanks for writing.
I find this an interesting idea; I'd not thought of it that way. I would think, and hope, multiple and regular opportunities for small group interaction would mitigate a performer-audience relationship from developing as the primary dynamic. But I can see how it's a legitimate concern.
Thank you for the thought to contemplate.