Taize – Another Avenue Through Which Contemplative is Entering the Church

Taize Community is an international, ecumenical community in France. Taize Worship is practicing the silence with icons, candles, incense and prayer stations, and is a very contemplative/Buddist oriented community attracting young people from around the world.

As an article on Taize worship explains:

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.

While it is apparent that Taize is rooted in Eastern mysticism, it is equally apparent that it is being incorporated more and more into Christendom. Below are some examples of Christian ministries and schools that are introducing people to Taize worship.

Columbia Bible College (BC, Canada)

Eastern Mennonite University (Virginia)

Calvin Institute of Christian Worship

Wheaton College

Youth Specialties

Seattle Pacific University (Washington)

Renovare (Richard Foster) – page 2

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