The Emergence of Pop-Masses
How Pop-Cultural Aesthetics Shape Contemporary Norwegian Worship
Keywords:
Pop-masses, Contemporary Worship, the Church of Norway, Carnival Services, Pop CultureAbstract
Since 2017, the Church of Norway has introduced new theatrical strategies and embraced spectacular aesthetics in its masses. Introduced initially through “carnival services,” these practices have since expanded into what I have termed “pop-masses”, which incorporate elements from popular culture to create events blending sacred and secular themes. Through case studies of Harry Potter-masses and Les Misérables-mass, this article explores how these liturgical innovations challenge traditional minimalist aesthetics in Norwegian Lutheranism and foster new modes of theological engagement.
Beginning with carnival services, I will examine how these new pop-masses have become significant events in Lutheran congregations in Norway's largest cities: Oslo and Bergen. Through this analysis, I aim to shed light on the development of a new dramaturgical approach within the Norwegian Church that integrates popular aesthetics into religious rituals.
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