Introduction

Many congregations have found that adding services to their worship schedule seems to attract more people. In particular, nowadays, a lot of Chinese churches in North America are having separate worship services for English and Chinese speaking congregation members. Over the past 10 to 15 years, almost every church congregation has had to deal with the growing chasm and the friction it creates. With some exceptions, the split is along age lines. Inevitably, since most of the English-speaking congregation is of the younger generation, this phenomenon has divided the congregation into different groups in terms of generation and age. Furthermore, many support a "menu" approach to worship. They believe it is important to offer as many different styles and options of music as possible.  

Common Faith

Chinese Christian Church Music Institute for Worship (CCCMIW) however, has some concerns about this approach.  We would like to once again remind the Christians that the center of our worship is God and God Himself.  Worship is for God, because creatures owe their Creator praise.  Worship issues should not be decided on the basis of the "appeal" factor. We need to take our focus off of ourselves and to refocus on Him.

Secondly, families are created by God and should be unified in God.  A lot of times Christian emphasize the unity of a family in the church, but on the other hand the members of the family are being separated unjustifiably. We are convinced that a community of faith is most truly the church when it participates together in corporate worship. What a witness it is when we see the whole family, including grandparents and grandchildren to sing praise to the Lord together in church!

In many ways, the Christian community is called upon to challenge current cultural values. The culture tells us that we reach people by targeting or "narrow-casting." Christian community, however, expresses a whole. God "broadcasts" a unified message of life's grace to a diverse community united by Baptism into Christ.

Preparation and Design

Furthermore, we believe in the importance of preparation and a coherent worship design. Good planning of worship makes all the difference. Worship leaders must identify the nature of each activity then plan and choose accordingly. "If you do not plan, you plan to fail".

Invitation

INTERGenerational Worship is a gathering of the whole congregation, whole family, with ALL generations to be ONE in worship and fellowship. It is a worship model which we would like to share and experience with you. 

CCCMIW's INTERGenerational Worship and Easter Celebration will be held on:

 March 31, 2007, Saturday, 7:30PM - 9:00PM  

April 1, 2007, Sunday, TBD

Dr. Samuel Tang, speaker

 In 2007, INTERGenerational Worship will be held in San Francisco on the following dates:

May 12, 2007, Saturday, 5:30PM - 7:00PM  

May 13, 2007, Sunday, TBD

 Come join us and worship together! 

                                                                                                           ~ Herbert Tsang

CCCMIW Faculty 

Music Director of David C. Lam Christian Hymn Society and 

Port Moody Pacific Grace MB Church Worship Choir, Canada