"Untrammeled"

I inherited the "Liturgical" service when I arrived at my deployment location in Afghanistan. For those familiar with Military worship, the Liturgical service would be worship that is marked by formality, Scripture readings, repentance with the main focus on "coming to the Table" to meet Christ for Holy Communion.

One of the things that has stumped me comes from my denomination the Free Methodist Church. In our "Distinctive Principles," in regards to worship, is an interesting statement that says that our form of worship is "characterized by simplicity and freedom of the Spirit, untrammeled by elaborate ritual."

Just what does that mean? I can't "do" formal, liturgical services? No! The word "liturgy" simply means "worship." So, to ask "can I lead a liturgical service" is about as silly as asking "can I lead a worship service?"  Yes, I can do that in simplicity and in formality.

I like what my Superintendent, Dr. Mark Adams, of the North Central Conference told me. He said, "B.T. Roberts (founder of the FM Church) feared a formalism that would sap the enthusiastic energy of a heart on fire, but insisted that at MINIMUM, Free Methodists practice a form of Eucharist that would respect the historic ties to Methodists-Anglicanism-Catholic- 4th Century practices of worship."

There was a time where I feared that I had to "give up" all formality, all rituals, or any sense of "holiness" in worship to be a Free Methodist. I was bothered that I may have to succumb to "basic worship" patterns that did not include following the Church calendar, Lectionary, having Holy Communion every Sunday or being able to use stoles or vestments with the colors of purple, green, white or red.

But, in the end, all I ended up doing was the very thing I was trying to avoid which was restricting and hampering the very form of worship I was seeking. I can be a "formal Free Methodist" and still follow the Church calendar and colors, read the various Lectionary readings, and have Communion every Sunday with simplicity that follows a format that gives each worshipper a meaningful experience of meeting Christ the Lord each Sunday in worship.

I don't have to follow a "set in stone" long, drawn-out "ritual" that suffocates and frustrates church members. I don't have to go through a lot of exhausting phrases and statements that I don't fully understand just because "that's what's written" for "Holy Communion" in the Common Book of Prayer. If I "modify" or "simplify" the ritual for worship or for Holy Communion doesn't mean I didn't "do it right" or that it won't be "pleasing to God" or qualify as a "real worship" or "real Communion" service.

It's not "all the words" that make the service "the service." It is sinners, such as I, accepting the invitation of Jesus Christ to come and worship...to seek forgiveness for my sins....to come to His table that made my forgiveness and salvation possible. I come as I am...and worship as I am capable. I am glad that God desires for me to do that "untrammeled by elaborate ritual."