Worshiping God

What is it that draws people into the worship of God?

 

It seems to me that at least one factor that is critically important helping people to and drawing people into worship lies with those who are giving leadership to corporate worship.  Those who are leading worship MUST be genuinely engaged in the worship of God as they lead worship.

 

Part of this is my reaction to those who seem to think that it's very important that what goes on in a "worship" service be appealing to those who are present.  While we certainly need to be aware of the cultural issues (language, symbolic representations, cultural stuff in general), we must be aware that our worship is Christ-centered and Spirit-driven, not comfort-centered and feelings-driven.

 

Many churches are adopting what they call a "contemporary style" of worship.  I think that, at best, a "contemporary style" would be simply a matter of, again being sensitive to the cultural issues of modern people.  However, what i often see passing a "worship" in a "contemporary setting" has nothing to do with cultural sensitivities.  The elements of worship itself are being tosses around, in and out, as if every aspect of worship was optional.  There seems to be an intense effort in getting congregants to "enjoy" the service - which ends up being a show, a performance, intended to get people to "feel" something or a certain way.

 

Here are some of the elements i have witnessed in churches that have become optional in any given worship service:

1. Prayer - Whether "pastoral" or "congregational," prayer, as an element of worship, has become optional.  If it is perceived that persons in the congregation (read "audience") might be uncomfortable with prayer, it can be left out.
2. Scripture  - Well, if we're concerned about comfort levels, scripture can be very uncomfortable.  We'll make this optional, too, even and pershaps especially as part of the preching
3. Preaching - Depends on what you call "preaching."  Exegetically based sermons are out.  "How-to's" are in.  Don't talk about sin or hell or damnation, talk about the positive values.  Talk about love and successful living.  Most of what is passed off as preaching is really just public speaking.  There's a difference.
4. Singing - Ok, this isn't really something that's optional.  Actually, it's is perceived more and more that, you can't worship without singing - or at least music of some sort. No music = No worship.  But along with this is the "type" of music utilized.  Throw out the stodgy old hymns.  Let's just use the praise choruses that we all know and love.  Except, what are we praising the Lord for?  On what is our praise based?  God's love?  But how do we know how great is God's love?  Hmmm.  If you're going to start somewhere, better start here.  Maybe we don't need the "old" hymns... but maybe we do.
5. Eucharist/Communion - Wow.  Here'a a biggy.  Totally optional for some.  Nothing there that's relevant for some - at least that's the perception.  Except that, regarding the bread and the cup, Jesus said, "This is my body.  This is my blood."  If Christ is present in the bread and the cup, then what's the unrelevant part?  Others only want to "commune" periodically.  "I don't want it to become common and taken for granted."  Hmmm...  I've been telling my wife i love her nearly every day for about 30 years.  I wonder if i've been doing that too much, too often.

Worship is not about me, about self, about "I."  It's about God, what he likes, what please him.

 

I've heard people complain about written prayers that are read.  There is the complaint that written prayers don't leave room for the Spirit's spontaneous work.  The problem isn't with the prayer on the page.  The problem is with the pray-er on the platform.