Popular Music Divine Services in the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Finland: Concept, Rationale, and Participants

Abstract

Various forms of popular culture have become increasingly entwined with the religious practices of long-established mainline Protestant Christian churches around the world. Many churches now find themselves gazing toward the realm of popular culture, and popular music, in particular, as a possible avenue through which to remain culturally relevant and to reconnect with younger age groups. This article explores the creation and establishment of alternative popular music divine service formats within the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Finland. The article accounts for the general character of these service formats and the principal rationale for their creation and establishment. Based on a survey that was distributed at several of these events during the course of 2013 and 2014, the article also explores the thoughts and views of people who participate in these events.