Worshippers are told that "our planet is messed up" and that "things are not right".

They are then asked to approach the altar and rub sea salt on their fingers to represent tears, before walking around and meditating at eight "prayer stations" representing themes such as "gender equality" and "environmental sustainability".

A psalm is recited in "beat poetry" style to the accompaniment of African Djembe drums, and prayers are said "for the corporate world, for influential CEOs who oversee billion-dollar industries".

The prayers continue: "We pray for John Chambers of Cisco Systems, Bill Gates of Microsoft, Dr Eric Schmidt of Google Inc, H Lee Scott Jr of Wal-Mart Stores and others who have already made commitments to justice."

Among the alternative services explored in the book, which is co-edited by the Rt Rev Steven Croft, the new Bishop of Sheffield, are so-called "U2charists", services in which the congregation receives communion but sings the songs of the Irish rock band U2 instead of traditional hymns.

Not surprisingly, traditionalists find this approach to be "pointless" and shallow."

The church defends its position this way:

The Rt Rev Graham Cray, who heads the Fresh Expressions initiative, said that it was vital that the Church explored new ways of engaging with modern culture.

"We have to reconnect with a very large percentage of the population that has no contact or interest in traditional church," he said.

"It is important to offer spirituality to people who are offered a multi-choice lifestyle and who think that the last place they'll find it is in church."

What surprises me is the magnitude of change in worship style that's being embraced by the Church of England. This is an institution that has been around for over 1400 years and is generally considered a "high church" in the way they present their services. (Bonus points to whomever knows who the first Archbishop of Canterbury was .. w/o Googling!!)  A lot of churches these days are offering contemporary services, but I don't think I've heard of the head of such a significant denomination implementing such a marked contrast to their historic past.

I give big kudos to the Archbishop and his supporters for being willing to step WAY outside of the box to present the Christian faith in a way that may connect with a new generation. Faith steps are the hallmark of Christianity. If I have a reservation, it's because this is yet another way to "bring (young) people into the church."  I continue to believe that the answer to resuscitating the Christian church at large will not be found by looking for ways to bring others into the church, but rather by ditching such programs in favor of serving needs within the community.

What's your take on this?

Is the Anglican Fresh Expressions initiative shallow and pointless or savvy and powerful?

SPARTA, Mich. (AP) — A man has been charged after a neighbor said she found him wearing a purple bra and boxer shorts while rummaging through her car. Jacob Andrew Fast, 20, was arraigned Wednesday on charges of first-degree home invasion and resisting and obstructing a police officer. Lisa Collins told WZZM-TV she found Fast rifling through her car on Tuesday afternoon and called the police. The car keys were missing from her house.

Collins said the bra he was wearing wasn't hers.

I had to smile that she clarified that last point!