On Christmas Day I was taking the service in St. James’, Tebay, and we sang our carols from the Bethlehem Carol Sheet. When we sang, “God Rest You Merry”, we found that the words had been amended, so that the refrain now read, “And it’s tidings of comfort and joy”, rather than the traditional, “O, tidings of comfort…”

My reaction was to be irritated. What was the point of this “modernization”?  What benefit did the illiterate and culturally insensitive amender think he was achieving? And this irritation was revived in each of the five verses we sang whenever we reached the refrain!

So I can sympathise with worshippers in our churches who feel similarly upset at other changes in church worship – whether in hymns, prayers or forms of service, or indeed actions or practices, like genuflecting, or shaking hands at The Peace. But while feeling a measure of sympathy – even when my personal preferences are not the same as someone else’s – I feel less respect for the person who goes a step further, and says, “Because I dislike this particular aspect of worship, I will refuse to take part in a service where it is likely to take place.”

Some of us are deeply attached to the Book of Common Prayer, and more modern revisions (whether Series 2, Series 3, ASB, or Common Worship) jar on us. Some of us feel that the traditional hymns found in Hymns Ancient and Modern express our personal faith and devotion, but we cannot stand Mission Praise! (Indeed I was warned, when planning to use a hymn from Mission Praise in one of the churches in this benefice, that it would be wiser to print it out on a sheet, rather than hand out copies of Mission Praise from another church – these blue booklets would be red rags to certain worshippers!) Others of us may feel precisely the opposite.

In every church where I have been vicar, we have had a “mixed economy” – we have used the Prayer Book for some services, and the modern liturgies for others. I have found that most worshippers have accepted quite equably whichever book is handed out as they arrive, without tutting, sighing irritably or rolling their eyes heavenwards in despair! But I recall one man who had strong, indeed rigid, preferences, and who, when he found the “wrong” service book being handed out, turned round and went home again.  I have known others who, if a hymn from the “wrong” book is announced, refuse even to open the book, and just stand in silence while others sing.

I just want to ask such people: What are you coming to church for? More pertinently – Who are you coming to church for? Do we come purely to “get something out of it”? For our own personal satisfaction or comfort? Or do we come to worship our Lord, and to share the fellowship of the Holy Spirit with our fellow believers, mixed bunch with varied tastes that we are?

Taking the second point first: that a hymn which I find banal and distasteful may bring great inspiration and refreshment of spirit to someone else in church. Does not Christian love demand that, for my brother’s or sister’s sake, I must join in, and be part of the company of worshippers, rather than contemptuously stand aside from it? And – just maybe – I will find as I do so that I will receive a blessing myself. But even if I don’t – I will still lift up my voice to the Lord.

Which brings us to the other, more central issue: worship is for God’s sake, not mine. Do I seriously maintain the God Almighty prefers the Prayer Book to a service from the Common Worship booklet – or vice versa? What is important in His eyes – the form of words, the tune sung – or the heart and mind of the worshipper?

There is a phrase in the New Testament, “Offer up a sacrifice of praise” (Hebrews 13.15). A sacrifice is something that costs us something. If we refuse to offer worship, unless it is in the form we personally find congenial – where is the sacrifice in that? It is purely selfish! But if, for God’s sake, and my fellow-worshipper’s, I take part in a liturgy or sing a song of worship which is not “my sort of thing” at all, surely that is a sacrifice which God rejoices to accept!

The Lord Jesus Christ issues an invitation to you and me: “Please come to my Supper!” Do I respond, “Well, before I accept, which form of service is it? If it’s the kind I don’t like, no, thank you, Lord!”.

Well, that’s what I feel. Maybe you think differently; I expect the Editors of Link would be happy to publish alternative views.

Christopher Jenkin