Gary Neal Hansen

Theology. It's good for you.

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You are here: Home / Archives for Worship

First Visit to an Orthodox Church (pt. 6): Hearing vs Multi-Sensory

June 6, 2018 by Gary Neal Hansen 2 Comments

hearing vs multi-sensory

In this series I have pointed out a bunch of key differences between worship in the Protestant West and in the Orthodox East — architecture, candles, icons, processions and so on. I fear, though, that even with all these things in mind, many Protestants will have a hard time on a first visit to an […]

Filed Under: Community, Worship Tagged With: First visit to an Orthodox Church, hearing vs multi-sensory

Monday Meditation: RCL Year B, 10th Sunday in Ordinary Time, Mark 3:20-35

June 4, 2018 by Gary Neal Hansen 2 Comments

Mark 3:20-35

The Gospel for the 10th Sunday in Ordinary time (Mark 3:20-35) is what I think of as a “sandwich” passage. A Mark 3:20-35 Sandwich There are two stories, more or less related, but instead of putting them one after the other (as was the case last week), one story is split in two like slices […]

Filed Under: Bible, Church Year, Monday Meditation, Theology, Worship Tagged With: 10th Sunday in Ordinary Time, Blasphemy against the Holy Spirit, Revised Common Lectionary, The unforgivable sin, Year B

First Visit to an Orthodox Church (pt. 5): Drama vs Narrative

May 25, 2018 by Gary Neal Hansen 2 Comments

If you read last week’s post in this series, you know my musical metaphor: Orthodox worship is to jazz as Western worship is to a singer-songwriter concert. There are several individuals and groups which, like instruments or sections, pick up important themes in turn, transforming each theme and adding to it. On your first visit […]

Filed Under: Community, Worship Tagged With: drama vs narrative, Great Entrance, incense, Little Entrance

First Visit to an Orthodox Church (pt. 4): Jazz vs Ballads

May 11, 2018 by Gary Neal Hansen 3 Comments

jazz vs ballads

I asked one Orthodox priest what he thought the typical newcomer would experience when visiting the Liturgy. His response: Chaos! He was joking. His congregation has a lot of free-range children. But I think he was right. Once the service begins in that icon-filled space, your typical Protestant is hard pressed to make much sense […]

Filed Under: Community, Music, Worship Tagged With: First visit to an Orthodox Church, Jazz vs Ballads, Time vs Eternity

Monday Meditation — RCL Year B, 7th Sunday of Easter, John 17:6-19

May 7, 2018 by Gary Neal Hansen Leave a Comment

John 17:6-19

In Between Next Sunday’s Gospel text comes at a unique moment in the Church year. We had 40 days of Lent in preparation, culminating with Holy Week and the events of the Passion. Then the great even itself, Easter Sunday, which begins a new season of 50 days ending at Pentecost with the outpouring of […]

Filed Under: Bible, Monday Meditation, Worship Tagged With: 7th Sunday of Easter, Being Sent, John 17:6-19, RCL Year B

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Theology. It’s good for you.

I'm a Church historian by trade. My writing, speaking, and teaching explores the Christian past to equip today's disciples. Join me here for regular posts on the best of theology, spirituality, community, and ministry. read more…

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