Aaron Niequist, A New Liturgy

This post is by Kelly Dolan, who is a Chicago-area filmmaker and media producer. You can find him online at about.me/kellydolan, or by following @kellydolan on Twitter.

A New Liturgy

Aaron Niequist’s recently launched worship project, A New Liturgy , isn’t the kind of project that’s likely going to stop churches from obsessing and debating over styles of worship. What it can do, however, is help us lay down that conversation and pick up other far more interesting conversations:

Who is worship for – God or us? In what context is worship best experienced? Do we need to feel differently about God or think differently? Or both? What part does good theology play in our worship experience? What part can worship experiences play in shaping our theology?

Aaron, a long-time friend, has gathered a group of musicians, writers, vocalists, and spoken word artists for A New Liturgy, described as an “attempt to create holy space wherever we find ourselves. A moveable, sonic sanctuary.” It’s something wholly different than other worship projects. It’s not just a collection of songs or simply a snapshot of one community’s worship. It’s a singular 20-25 minute experience that invites the listener to participate in it.

As one who has struggled to engage in any kind of worship experience (personally or corporately), A New Liturgy is a gift to me. Great art has a way of changing the way I see the world around me, as well as the way I see the art form itself. A New Liturgy is no exception, providing a rich artistic experience and opportunity for me to potentially encounter God wherever I am.

And in the process, A New Liturgy is re-categorizing what I believe worship music is capable of doing in our lives and in our churches.