Creating Healing Spaces: Dr. J. Michael Jordan on Worship and Anxiety

In the latest Faith Roundtable episode, Josh Burtram interviews Reverend Dr. J. Michael Jordan about his book, 'Worship in an Age of Anxiety: How Churches Can Create Space for Healing.' Dr. Jordan talks about how anxiety and worship are connected and emphasizes the need for churches to address anxiety in a more compassionate way. He delves into the concept of worship, highlighting the importance of integrating mental health with spiritual life and differentiating between personal and public worship. Dr. Jordan also discusses the historical roots of the anxiety-repentance-relief cycle in evangelical worship and suggests that churches should detach repentance from anxiety, making it a normal part of the Christian life. He encourages churches to create a healing and community-focused atmosphere in their worship spaces.

Key Takeaways

1. Anxiety is a neutral term that can have positive outcomes and is an important part of our lives, helping us think through different scenarios and potential dangers.

2. Worship is a public gathering where we present ourselves to God, and it involves a back-and-forth interaction between us and God.

3. Preaching should take anxiety more seriously and provide a more realistic perspective, acknowledging that anxiety is a common experience and not something that can be simply prayed away.

4. Anxiety can be helpful in worship by reminding us of our values and helping us navigate different contexts while remaining consistent with our character.

5. The anxiety repentance relief cycle, rooted in American church history, has influenced contemporary worship practices and emphasizes the need for a more compassionate and nuanced approach to anxiety in the church. The anxiety-repentance-relief cycle has become a weekly practice in evangelical worship, but it should be detached from anxiety and normalized as a regular part of the Christian life.

6. Harmful practices in worship, such as focusing on individual experiences and creating a sense of isolation, can exacerbate anxiety.

7. Churches should reexamine their worship spaces and be intentional about creating an atmosphere that supports healing and community.

8. Worship should be a reflection of the diverse experiences and emotions of worshippers, rather than conforming to a narrow cultural ideal.

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