Years ago, back around 1988, author John Naisbitt described what he called sociological “mega-trends” that the world was beginning to recognize. One concept that has stuck with me since the time I read his book was that we had entered into a “parenthetical” time. (1) What I understood him to mean was that all bets were off – all of these new technological innovations would forever change our lives, but we just don’t know how we will be changed yet (that requires the end parenthesis). Naisbitt presented his idea in the early 1980’s, yet we continue to wrestle with the massive changes he was already sensing twenty years ago or more. In those days, the internet was very young and few could foresee its incredible connective power, the downloading of materials and knowledge instantaneously, that students would be doing their homework online or on laptops, and the creation of “dot com” billionaires seemingly overnight. The internet itself is a powerhouse of good and evil. I doubt that Naisbitt himself could have imagined the changes that would sweep the world through this one medium alone, let alone the fact that we would still be in the throes of such a massive “parenthesis” to this day as we see how things may eventually settle out, if they ever do.

The Christian church worldwide is in the midst of amazing upheaval and change, as well, wrestling with its own parenthetical time in many ways that began, at least in part, around the same time. Since Vatican II in the mid-1960’s, the Roman Catholic Church worldwide has experienced wave after wave of renewal and updating in celebrating the mass. The Protestant church in the west has undergone sweeping decline over the last thirty years as people “stayed away in droves” because the traditional forms no longer synced with culture in a relevant manner. Thousands of non- denominational churches sprang up to take in the disenfranchised and along with all of this came what theologian Robb Redman calls “The Great Worship Awakening” (2) with its myriad new worship choruses and accompanying stylistic challenges for those churches seeking to keep up with the times. In the meanwhile, evangelistic revival in the Global South (those continents south of the equator) has led to unprecedented numbers of people coming to Jesus Christ, creating a surge-tide of need for training, pastoral care, education, and Christian materials the likes of which America has never dreamed. Parenthetical, indeed.

One aspect of this “parenthesis” is the amazing cross-culturalization that our greater knowledge brings. It’s so much easier now for people to understand aspects of other people’s lives and cultures, even people on the other side of the world. Another of Naisbitt’s concepts was that of “high tech/high touch”, or, that the deeper we go into technology, the greater will be our need for human touch. We’ve seen this, in a way, in the “reaching back as we reach forward” (3) of the church – we desire to hold on to the best of the ancient liturgies and traditions as we reach forward to find new ways to communicate the Gospel and celebrate it in worship. We want to move forward in media and other communicative technologies, but never lose the touch of the Spirit. A correlative to this idea is Lent, a season of repentance practiced for many centuries by the Roman Catholic Church, but only coming back into greater practice over the last few decades by the Protestant Church. Amateur historian Bill Petro 4 posts on his site some historical facts about Lent I found interesting:

Lent is a word that comes from the Middle English word "lente" which means "springtime" - so named for the season of the year in which it usually occurs. While the practice of Lent is not mentioned in the Bible, it has been a tradition in the Christian world since the mid 4th century. It seems to parallel the 40 days of fasting in the wilderness that Jesus experienced following his baptism.

Historically, Lenten fasting became mandatory, especially abstinence from eating meat. While recommended by St. Athanasius, bishop of Alexandria in 330 AD, by the Middle Ages Lent was enforced throughout Europe, especially the forbidding of meat during the final weeks before Easter. (4)

As the Protestant Reformation spread throughout Europe, Lent became regarded more as a Roman Catholic institution, and was increasingly ignored by Protestants as a traditional observance. This tendency did not reverse, especially in the US, until the 1980s. Today, more Protestant churches participate in Lent with devotions and Scripture readings, as well as special Ash Wednesday services.

What I see happening throughout the church is a great convergence, to use Dr. Robert Webber’s word, of traditions both ancient and future (5). People all over the world are embracing the best of all the Christian traditions that have been handed down through centuries to create worship celebrations that are historically accurate and culturally relevant. Embracing the Christian calendar, which includes the season of Lent, broadens the Christian worship experience and enables us to join with believers worldwide who are practicing the same seasons of the calendar. In this way, we become global Christians and not just self-focused local Christians. It is amazing to think that these traditions can have just as much meaning for us as they did hundreds of years ago for the believers we read about in books! To think that we can say some of the same prayers or sing some of the same hymns as they did in the 4th, 5th, 6th centuries and beyond is amazing! It’s another way that we can join with the saints of all time to sing His praises!

I’ve never been big on fasting, a practice that is part and parcel to Lent. It is a season of self-denial and of seeking the Lord in a more deliberate way than in other seasons, so it makes sense that we would try to subdue the flesh with all of its needs during this season. The past few years when people would ask me what I was giving up for Lent I would tell them I was giving up complaining. I mean, why does our fasting have to be limited to chocolate or something physical? Why can’t we “fast” bad attitudes? Remarkably, I really have felt significant changes in my personality and in people around me as I’ve “fasted” complaining – I’ve become a happier and more attractive person through Lent! Lent rocks because it is a season where we can deliberately simplify our prayers, sanctify our hearts, cleanse our thoughts, and focus directly on loving God in spirit and in truth, as we should 24/7/365. Lent rocks because we can join with believers around the world who are focusing their hearts in the same way to be as completely devoted to Christ as possible and to draw near to the Father in honest worship. Whatever you feel impressed upon to make as an offering to the Lord this Lenten season, remember that you could never give up all that He gave up for you – His very life and blood on the cross of Calvary!

Holy Father, impress upon me this day more of Your unending love for me and for the world. Give me eyes to see Your suffering in Christ and the purposes You have for drawing me close to Your heart through this season of repentance and fasting. Give me more hunger for you than for my daily bread. Give me love for all the nations and the people of the world. Help me to become a “global Christian” and not just someone who is continually self-focused. Help me to see Your suffering as it is revealed in the world today and give me more grace to serve in Your kingdom. In Christ’s name, amen.

1. Naisbitt, John. Megatrends, Warner Books, 1988.
2. Redman, Robb. The Great Worship Awakening, Jossey-Bass Books, 2002.
3. see any of Leonard Sweet’s books at LeonardSweet.com
4. www.billpetro.com/holidayhistory
5. Dr. Webber has many outstanding books and videos on ancient/future worship

© Copyright 2007 by John Chisum. All Rights Reserved. For reprints or other permissions contact Worship4Life with John Chisum at 251-414-5832.