Reformed Worship, a publication of Faith Alive Christian Resources CRC (Christian Reformed Church) Publications, is carrying an article on their website that promotes the practice of Taize’ worship. The article, “How to … Plan in the Style of Taize,” says that the students, faculty, and staff of Calvin Theological Seminary spend time together once a week in “contemplative services” in “the manner of the Community of Taize’.”
Taize is a form of contemplative worship that incorporates mystical practices and interspiritual beliefs as this article describes:
“Short chants, repeated again and again, give it a meditative character,” the brothers explain in a brief introduction printed in the paperback songbook. “Using just a few words, [the chants] express a basic reality of faith, quickly grasped by the mind. As the words are sung over many times, this reality gradually penetrates the whole being.” See whole article.
For those who may wonder if Calvin Theological Seminary’s Taize’ is the same as the Taize’ in France, the article provides a link(to learn more) to Taize’ community in France.
This article in Reformed Worship is just another indication that contemplative spirituality is no respecter of denominations. Nearly all are affected and influenced.
Note: The Reformed Worship article mentioned above is from a 2002 edition. However, because Calvin Theological Seminary is still promoting contemplative and still carries this article online, their 2002 affinities do not appear to have reversed regarding contemplative. See their “MA in Worship at Calvin Theological Seminary” as an example of this.
