Responsive Reading Of Scripture

This article calls for vibrant congregational responsive reading that can be achieved through congregational rehearsal and creative adaptation of biblical text. Several examples of the authors' work appear in the next chapter of this volume. Think about it for a moment. Isn't a "responsive reading" supposed to be responsive? But, honestly, aren't most of the responses you hear from your congregations what you might call "less than exciting?" Are they not too often slow, in low voices, and tedious-like a large, cumbersome sound, a mumbling, perhaps-concentrating more on keeping up with the rest of the voices rather than responding in the gladness and joy of worship? In congregational singing you hear excitement, harmonies, soprano voices, deep bass parts resonating. In responsive readings too often everything is in dull, lifeless monotone. Part of the problem simply centers in what we expect of a congregation in terms of spontaneity. Would God object if we rehearsed the congregation…