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The Rise of Corporate Individualism in Twenty-First Century Worship

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The Rise of Corporate Individualism in Twenty-First Century Worship THE RISE OF CORPORATE INDIVIDUALISM IN TWENTY-FIRST CENTURY WORSHIP By Russell Allen Robbins Liberty University A THESIS PRESENTED IN PARTIAL FULFILLMENT OF THE REQUIREMENTS FOR THE DEGREE OF DOCTOR OF WORSHIP STUDIES Lynchburg, Virginia August 2020 Copyright © 2020 by Russell A. Robbins All rights reserved. ii THE RISE OF CORPORATE INDIVIDUALISM IN TWENTY-FIRST CENTURY WORSHIP By Russell Allen Robbins A Thesis Presented in Partial Fulfillment Of the Requirements for the Degree Doctor of Worship Studies Liberty University, Lynchburg, VA August 2020 APPROVED BY: _________________________________ W. Douglas Crawley, D.M.A., Committee Chair _________________________________ Ellsworth, D.M.A., Committee Member iii ABSTRACT Western society has experienced a monumental paradigm shift which has influenced the way in which the church worships in the twenty-first century. Postmodernism has led to an increasingly self-focused individualism in corporate worship which overvalues personal experience and undervalues the communal aspect of corporate worship. Despite much discussion concerning postmodern generations, the influence of postmodern thought upon the rise of corporate individualism in worship has yet to be examined. The purpose of this qualitative, historical study is to examine the factors that have led to the rise of corporate individualism in worship, the indications of corporate individualism in worship, and the ways in which corporate individualism has affected worship practice in evangelical churches. The rising focus on individualism in corporate worship is redefining what it means to worship in community. This study is important for worship leaders and pastors as they make decisions about song selection, language use, and worship environment. Additionally, this study is important to church members as it addresses subjects that affect their participation in worship, connection with other worshipers, and theological understandings. Every church must decide how they will address this societal change in order to reach present and future generations. This study could benefit the twenty-first century church in understanding how and why worship practices have changed with this cultural shift and determine if there needs to be a course correction. Further, this study could encourage further research into effects of corporate individualism on church architecture, liturgical structures, and worship technology. Keywords: corporate individualism, postmodernism, corporate worship, individualism, contemporary worship music iv ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS Thank you to my wife, Angela, whose love, encouragement, patience, and sacrifices carried me through these past four years while working on my doctorate. This thesis would not have been possible without your unending support. Thank you to our boys, Ethan and Eli, who cheered me on every step of the way while sacrificing precious time with their Papa. Thank you to my parents and all my family for their godly examples throughout my life and for encouraging me to continue my education and pursue this degree. Thank you to my advisor, Dr. Crawley, for guiding me through the process of creating this thesis. Your counsel and support are greatly appreciated. And to my reader, Dr. Ellsworth, and my proofreaders, Debbie Teague, Laura Hancock, and Angela Robbins, I am grateful for your diligence, critiques, and kind words of affirmation. Additionally, I would like to thank all the professors in the Doctor of Worship Studies program at Liberty University who have been a tremendous influence in my service to the Lord through worship ministry. “Now to Him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to His power that is at work within us, to Him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen” (Ephesians 3:20-21 NIV). v Contents Abstract .......................................................................................................................................... iv Acknowledgements ......................................................................................................................... v List of Figures ................................................................................................................................ ix CHAPTER ONE: INTRODUCTION ......................................................................................... 1 Background ......................................................................................................................... 1 Statement of the Problem .................................................................................................... 5 Purpose of the Study ........................................................................................................... 6 Significance of the Study .................................................................................................... 7 Statement of Research Questions...................................................................................... 10 Hypotheses ........................................................................................................................ 11 Research Methods ............................................................................................................. 14 Research Plan .................................................................................................................... 15 Definition of Terms........................................................................................................... 15 CHAPTER TWO: LITERATURE REVIEW .......................................................................... 18 Introduction ....................................................................................................................... 18 Postmodernism .................................................................................................................. 19 Rejection of Modernism ....................................................................................... 20 Relativism ............................................................................................................. 22 Multiple Worldviews ............................................................................................ 25 Individualism within Community ......................................................................... 26 Personal Experience .............................................................................................. 31 Corporate Individualism in Worship ................................................................................ 34 Congregational Participation ................................................................................ 34 Overvaluation of Personal Experience...................................................... 35 Interaction with Other Congregants .......................................................... 43 Song Selection ...................................................................................................... 51 Self-Focused Worship Songs / Reflexive Texts ....................................... 52 Ambiguous Worship Songs ...................................................................... 57 vi Platform Presence ................................................................................................. 59 Word Choice of Worship Leaders and Pastors ......................................... 60 Worship Environment ............................................................................... 63 CHAPTER THREE: METHODOLOGY ................................................................................ 73 Introduction ....................................................................................................................... 73 Research Design................................................................................................................ 73 Research Questions and Hypotheses ................................................................................ 74 Process of Gathering Literature ........................................................................................ 75 Types of Sources ............................................................................................................... 76 Studies of Postmodernism and Worldviews ......................................................... 77 Studies of Personal Experience in Corporate Worship ......................................... 80 Textual Studies of Congregational Song Lyrics ................................................... 83 Studies of Worship Environment .......................................................................... 88 Synthesis of Research ....................................................................................................... 89 CHAPTER FOUR: RESEARCH FINDINGS ......................................................................... 91 Introduction ....................................................................................................................... 91 Studies of Postmodernism and Worldviews ..................................................................... 91 Findings of Five Research Studies ........................................................................ 91 “What the Research Means” ................................................................................. 99 Studies of Personal Experience in Corporate Worship ................................................... 100 “The
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