What does he mean by this statement?
The statement by Smith means that modern Christian worship is intertwined with secular practices neutralizing the role of Christian liturgy in shaping devotion to Jesus. Smith argues that Christians believe in the religion but fail to believe in the effects of worship in their lives. That is, worship services are more of procedural practices which overshadow the required impact of prayer. Modernity has narrowed the meaning of prayer and diversified it such that Christians interpret worship from a worldly point of view rather than a Christian perspective. Thus, worship services are designed to fit in the secular context rather than in a spiritual perspective. Worship is not intended to meet "Felt needs" but rather transform Christians spiritually. Instead, modernity has worship designed to meet peoples' secular needs. Christian liturgy aims to have an environment that allows God to be the central objective. However, worship services tend to incorporate God in the secular practices hence diverting from the intention of worship (Smith)
Do you agree with his assessment?
Smith’s statement is one to agree with in that worship has lost its transformative intentions. By looking at traditional worship, Worship is supposed to create a connection between Christians and God by being about God and for god. However, modern styles of worship seem to be adjusted to fit what the people are comfortable with. Services are designed to satisfy human comfort and ideologies to the extent that the purpose of worship is reduced.
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Describe in your own words the basic narrative arc of historic Christian worship .
Historic Christian worship is ordered, repetitive and spiritual. Traditional Christians had procedures that ensured worship centralized God as the primary and only agenda. The historical narrative of Christian worship presented Christian as part of God's bigger process who was devoted to shaping their lives in accordance to the way of Christ. In traditional Christian worship, humans accept their human capacity and the superiority and perfection of Christ and hence strive to become more like Christ.
Do you think churches should adopt this pattern of worship? Why or why not?
Churches should strive to adopt the historic Christian worship. Traditional Christian worship was closer to serving the purpose of worship. Historic Christian worship pursued the intention of worship is about God and for God. Modern Christianity is more worshipping God the people's way as opposed to the traditional worship that was focused on worshipping guide by His word on how worship should work and what it should achieve.
References
Smith, K. A. J. (2016). You are what you love: The spiritual power of habit. Brazos Press.
