POSTMODERN CULTURAL INFLUENCE ON LITURGICAL INNOVATIONS IN PENTECOSTAL CHURCHES IN ABEOKUTA, OGUN STATE

Abstract

The world is becoming complex due to contemporary developments and the ever-changing ideas penetrating disciplines and human life by the emergence of postmodern culture. The impact of this cultural shift on liturgical practices in Pentecostal churches in Abeokuta is significant but has also created a bias between the traditional and contemporary settings. This has raised questions on theological correctness and cultural soundness in observance using postmodern condition theory. This study investigates Postmodern Cultural Influences on Liturgical Innovations in Nigerian Pentecostal Churches with particular reference to Abeokuta, Ogun State. Using survey research design, data were collected from 200 respondents, including pastors, church workers and members. Findings indicated vastness in liturgical innovations using social media and multimedia equipment (90%). Pastors, church workers and members perceived that liturgical innovations encourage active participation (61%), attract new members (80%), and makes worship more meaningful (52%). Findings also revealed that modern liturgical practices may not align totally with biblical teachings (65%), compromises church core doctrines (55%) and weakens traditional theological values (65%) as results indicated that liturgical innovation does not aid true connection to God (59%) and causes distraction from spiritual focus (66%). This study contributed a germane insight to ecclesiology, the study of the church.