The service usually begins with silence. A moment of quiet reflection invites the worshipers to enter a sacred place, together with their fellow students, and enjoy an atmosphere of praise.
This unusual “call” to worship segues then into musical offerings provided by the praise team. In place of hymnals, a projector displays the song lyrics. With electric guitars, drums, and singing, this band of students leads the congregation into familiar songs, such as “All Creatures of Our God and King,” as well as contemporary tunes like “Break Every Chain.”
Such are the rhythm and feel of student-led twice-a-semester contemporary worship at YDS—one sign of the changing religion scene on the Quad and across the country.
Students first
The students’ responses reflect the variety of denominational backgrounds present at the service, as at YDS. In addition to singing, expressions of worship range from simple gestures such as bowed heads and closed eyes to hand-clapping, hand-raising, and rhythmic body movement.
LaQruishia Gill ’15 M.A.R., student coordinator for these gatherings, says each service is structured with YDS students in mind.
“Contemporary worship is meant to give students an opportunity for more informal participation in worship,” Gill says. “The style of worship and general format of the service are intentionally relaxed, and we really strive to consider the things that God might have for us.”
Relying primarily on modern themes and music, these gatherings supplement the broader, ecumenical worship services conducted daily in Marquand Chapel. Participants see the intimate student-led services conducive to intercessory prayer, one-on-one sharing sessions, and various styles of worship.
The contemporary services consistently attract 10 to 15 student worshipers. Although Marquand Chapel is the usual meeting place, occasionally a YDS classroom is used.
“The fact that we only have a few services per semester allows us to pour a lot of energy, thought, and prayer into each service,” Gill says. Central to their complementary role, she says, is the fact that “the services are entirely student-led and student-organized.”
Stretching the spirit
Each service centers around a specific theme or topic, and the songs and reflections are carefully selected to express that theme. Group activities are also incorporated, not only to enhance the worship experience but also to encourage the students to engage in meaningful fellowship with each other.
Regular attendee Yolanda Richard ’15 M.Div. says while she thoroughly enjoys both the contemporary worship experiences and the Marquand Chapel services, the contemporary services resonate a little more with her particular tradition.
“I have always found the contemporary worship services to be inviting, warm, and familiar. They are ‘stretching’ to the spirit,” says Richard. “I have benefitted greatly from them during my time at YDS.”
A desire for the familiar is one of the factors that prompted Allen Reynolds ’15 M.Div. and other students to initiate the contemporary worship services in 2012. Despite an array of regular services and activities for several denominational groups at YDS, Reynolds sensed a need for worship services specifically designed for students who identify with charismatic and non-denominational backgrounds.
“I feel called to help establish ministries, and this was my first chance to do that from scratch,” says Reynolds.
Spontaneous worship
While much of what takes place at the students’ contemporary services also happen in the daily services at Marquand, two key factors set them apart: They are 100 percent student run, and they are not bound by the 30-minute limit of the daily chapel services.
“Contemporary worship [services] actively seek to allow for freedom of movement and congregational interaction, such as our prayer time,” Reynolds says, “as well as freedom from time constraints and freedom for different sorts of spontaneous worship.”
The coordinators as well as the participants are optimistic about the future growth of contemporary worship services at YDS.
Moving forward, Gill says the primary goals are to incorporate fresh and diverse perspectives, connect with other YDS organizations, and, most important, encourage students to worship.
“Ultimately, our priority will always be to facilitate genuine, free worship of God and communion with one another,” says Gill. “We want to give students a relaxed space in which they can encounter God and be refreshed by the activity of the Holy Spirit.”
Meagan P. Downing ‘14 M.Div. hails from Chesapeake, Va. She is discerning ordination and aspires to explore the crossroads of media, youth, and young adult ministry.