Love the purpose, not the method.

It is natural for church communities to reflect carefully on changes to worship methods, i.e., the order of service, music style, the building, etc., especially when it involves introducing something new, like a television screen, on the chancel. As ministers and congregants strive to foster deeper engagement with the Word, there is wisdom in returning to the Lord’s teachings and the Heavenly Doctrines for guidance on what is truly valuable.

True Worship: Internal, Not Merely External

The core of New Christian worship is not found in external rituals. Rather, the New Church concept of worship does not begin in prayers and in external devotion, but in a life of charity.

By worship according to the order of heaven is meant all practicing of good according to the Lord’s precepts. By the worship of God at this day is chiefly meant the oral worship in a temple, both morning and evening. But the worship of God does not consist essentially in this, but in a life of uses; this latter worship is according to the order of heaven. Oral worship is also worship, but it is of no avail whatever unless there is the worship that belongs to the life; for this worship is of the heart; and oral worship, that it may be worship, must proceed from this.        

Secrets of Heaven n.7884 – Emanuel Swedenborg

Prayers merely as from the lips, and acts of external devotion, are not of any avail, but when these proceed from a life of charity, then they do avail.

We become accustomed to and enjoy going through the motions of ritual. They may comfort us, and we may fall in love with these methods, but the Lord seeks to lead us to a state where the methods fade away and we come to love His purpose, which is a transformed mind and active charity.

The Good Use of External Forms

External methods, rituals, and settings have their place, particularly as a foundation for our spiritual growth journey, whether as children or adults in a child-like spiritual state. However, the goal is always a deeper purpose of internal worship. Physical methods, forms, and traditions are valuable only insofar as they lead to the purpose of instruction for the use of regeneration, i.e., self-examination and repentance, and outreach to those at different stages of spiritual maturity. When we fall in love with the purpose of instruction for the use of regeneration, or, put in New Church terms, affection for truth, we easily accommodate the methods. However, when we fall in love with the method, we push the purpose aside.

Adapting Means to Faithful Ends

The Heavenly Doctrines do not prescribe a set of rules for how to gather or what methods we may use, because the purpose of the Heavenly Doctrines is to describe the regeneration of the mind and not the methods of this world. The Jewish church had a detailed worldly description of methods because it lacked deeper knowledge of the purpose ie: regenerating the human mind. Rather than conformity to methodical details, the Heavenly Doctrine urge a heavenly purpose that is flexible, accommodating and focused on use.

The memory-knowledge of knowledges is nothing but an instrumental agency having for its end a use, namely, that the knowledges may serve celestial and spiritual things as vessels; and when they are thus serving, they are then for the first time in their use, and receive from the use their delight. 

Secrets of Heaven n.1472 – Emanuel Swedenborg

The ultimate use, or purpose, spoken of is the regeneration of the mind, which is reformed and recreated into a vessel that can receive love (celestial things) and truth (spiritual things).

As society evolves and means of communication expand, so too may our methods of teaching the knowledge of the Word and the teachings of the New Church.

Visual tools, such as a television, can help with learning. Ask any teacher, and they will attest to the importance of engaging as many of the senses when teaching. Think for a moment about how, in the Lord’s providence, He uses visual imagery extensively in the Word and in the Teachings for the New Church. We are first instructed by means of things which fall into the senses, especially into the sight and hearing.

The external man receives its life principally from the internal man, that is, from the spirit or soul. Thence comes its very life in general; but this life cannot be received in its particulars, or distinctly, by the external man, unless its organic vessels are opened, which must be the recipients of the particulars and the singulars of the internal man. These organic vessels, which are to be the recipients, are not opened except by means of the senses, especially those of hearing and sight; and, as they are opened, the internal man can flow in with its particulars and singulars. 

Secrets of Heaven n.1563 – Emanuel Swedenborg

For children, newcomers, and many adults, visual engagement with the truths of Word has the potential to deepen understanding and memory.

On Change, Proprium, and Spiritual Comfort

Resistance to new methods and practices arises from the proprium. The proprium tends to prefer the comfort of the familiar and prioritises the world and external life over the inner work of self-examination. But spiritual life calls to us from within the discomfort; we can ask ourselves, “Why am I feeling discomfort?” If we are willing to open our awareness to our inner states, the Lord can lead us into states of reflection, allowing us to assess ourselves and grow.

The True Correspondence in Worship

There is sometimes a concern that physical objects in worship must exactly correspond to spiritual realities. However, nothing material possesses inherent sanctity or holiness. No object in the church is holy in itself. All holiness is from the Lord through the internal mind into the external mind. The building, its appointments, and methods of worship serve as a reminder to us to centre ourselves and to direct our minds to the Word in preparation for instruction.

Correspondence exists within a regenerating mind, where the internal and external mind are in integrity, in a marriage of higher and lower. The inflowing life is then within the words and actions we take, whatever they may be.

Shepherding Change With Charity

Finally, the Pastor stands in a unique position to both respect congregants’ states and guide them towards growth. Leadership means challenging all to practice their faith, examine their assumptions, and apply the Lord’s truth to the growth of minds. When considering new methods, it is wise to invite feedback, introduce changes thoughtfully, and connect teaching to deeper spiritual principles. It is a unique role to be called by a congregation to lead them to where they don’t want to go!

Love the Purpose, not the Method

Introducing a television or similar visual aid onto the chancel is not a matter of doctrine. The doctrines don’t prescribe methods or policies. Doctrine describes the purpose, the goal, which is the regeneration of the human mind. The Television is an attempt to serve the purpose by being more effective in teaching the Word. An attempt to enhance the instruction and engagement of the mind in ways that will support the purpose of regenerating the human mind.

It is useful to be reminded by the teachings of the New Church that True worship is a life lived in accordance with the Word. We live according to the Word when we apply what we learn to the life of our minds through the practice of self-examination and repentance. This is true charity, which is loving one’s neighbour.

Every sincere effort to refine methods that help people engage more closely with the Word is worth pursuing. In this vein, I have started using the TV screen as a tool to help people better engage, follow, and understand what I am teaching. I am still learning how to use it effectively. If you have suggestions on what would be beneficial to see on the screen as I speak, please let me know.