Friday, December 09, 2005
CICW quoted in NY Times piece on megachurches closing for Christmas
CICW director John Witvliet is quoted in this morning’s New York Times in an article on many megachurches’ decision to close for Christmas, so that worshipers can spend time with their families:
John D. Witvliet, director of the Calvin Institute of Christian Worship at Calvin College, asked: “What about the people in society without strong family connections? The elderly, single people a long distance from family, or people who are simply lonely and for whom church and prayers would be a significant part of their day?”
Additional statements from Dr. Witvliet:
This move reflects a lower emphasis on the liturgical calendar that has long marked evangelical worship; they place less emphasis on particular celebrations of events in Jesus’ life such as Palm Sunday and Ascension Day. This is also a sign of evangelicalism’s emphasis on personal faith, compared with a more communal sensibility that we are worshiping on the same day with people all over the world.
From a historical Protestant perspective, what is surprising is not that they are not worshiping on Christmas, but that they are not worshiping on Sunday.
Still, the bigger question is what they do when they do gather. From a theological perspective, the greater concern is about those who will meet but make their gathering more about contemporary cultural practices (Christmas trees, gift giving, and parties) than the Christmas gospel (that the world needs a savior and has one in Christ).
Related writings by Dr. Witvliet include Proclaiming the Christmas Gospel: Ancient Sermons and Hymns for Contemporary Inspiration, edited and introduced by Dr. Witvliet and David Vroege, and Praying the Lord’s Prayer During Advent, a meditation by Dr. Witvliet—among CICW’s Resources for Advent and Christmas.
Earlier this week, Calvin College’s James Bratt commented on the megachurch closings in the Chicago Tribune:
Calvin College historian James Bratt said the idea of focusing on family at Christmas reflects a 19th Century Victorian concept called “religion of the home” that promotes home and hearth as a sanctuary for family values and refuge from the industrial world’s evils.
“It’s a sign of how totally identified with the culture [evangelicals have] become,” Bratt said. “The church has subordinated to cultural icons, and family is one of them. ... The logic of that is you should celebrate the holiday in its true sanctuary, which is the home.”
Also see:
Related articles from ChristianityToday.com’s Weblog
Update: James Bratt appears on Michigan Public Radio
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