Wonderful Worship: pt1. What is it?
Here's a fun concept. An online-friend has started something akin to a web-based small group/bible-study on the theme of Worship. I missed the kick-off session... largely because my church was imploding with some audible finality this past week. But now I'd like to participate - not just because it's an excellent idea, but also because (since my church IS imploding) I desperately need some Christian community... even if it IS virtual. What is Worship?
Generally, I find that when discussing oft confused topics, it is better to begin - but not end - with discussion regarding what the topic is NOT. And, the word and concept "Worship" is often used and abused by Christians, worn and worn out like a wicked marketing tool or a once-a-week painted on smile.
Therefore, I would like to begin by describing what worship is NOT:
Worship is NOT a once a week community event attended by people of a certain worldview, culture, fashion, or history. Many folks consider 'church attendance' to be their 'worship.' This is wrong... unless what you worship is a social club.
Worship is NOT the music-time during a church service. Many folks consider the Sunday singing-time 'worship,' and preaching-time is teaching, and their devotion-time is personal study. Singing-time is part of worship and people may worship while they sing, but people are not worshiping just because they are singing... and they are not learning just because they're sitting in the sanctuary while the pastor speaks.
Worship is NOT a specific style of Christian music. Many folks consider mid-late 80's style praise-band music played by 15 guitars and a few jingling tams while a bunch of people sing repetitive monotone lyrics representing watered-down theology "Worship Music" -- just like 3-6 part choral music is 'Choir Music' and four part multi-verse songs are 'Congregational Hymns'... but this is just... wrong. Churches have split over 'style of worship' because they feel that only certain kinds of music are truly worshipful. Of course, if you're worshiping your choir director, organist or worship leader, or if you worship Keith Green, Charles Wesley or Fanny Crosby, such a split might be appropriate.
Finally, Worship is NOT a personal parade. It is not a time to exhibit your Sunday Best clothing, it is not a time to brag to your friends about your great job and perfect family, it is not a time to white-wash your face with a plastic smile and pretend to like people that you would be ashamed of on Monday-Saturday. Unless you worship yourself, Worship is NOT about YOU.
So... what IS Worship?
Worship is an awe-invoking and inspirational experience of the Divine, either collectively experienced with others or personally experienced while alone. We might seek out worship and not find it, or we might be 'tapped on the shoulder by God.' But,
In scripture we see the prophets worship, we see the psalmists lead the people in worship, we see the priests and kings struggle in their attempts to seek the face of God and worship. And in Christ, we see a Holy Man who allowed himself to be Worshiped. Jesus is the incarnate God, who wants us to worship him, to be with him, forever... so much so that God became mortal so that we could become eternal. So,
Thanks be to God.
Generally, I find that when discussing oft confused topics, it is better to begin - but not end - with discussion regarding what the topic is NOT. And, the word and concept "Worship" is often used and abused by Christians, worn and worn out like a wicked marketing tool or a once-a-week painted on smile.
Therefore, I would like to begin by describing what worship is NOT:
Worship is NOT a once a week community event attended by people of a certain worldview, culture, fashion, or history. Many folks consider 'church attendance' to be their 'worship.' This is wrong... unless what you worship is a social club.
Worship is NOT the music-time during a church service. Many folks consider the Sunday singing-time 'worship,' and preaching-time is teaching, and their devotion-time is personal study. Singing-time is part of worship and people may worship while they sing, but people are not worshiping just because they are singing... and they are not learning just because they're sitting in the sanctuary while the pastor speaks.
Worship is NOT a specific style of Christian music. Many folks consider mid-late 80's style praise-band music played by 15 guitars and a few jingling tams while a bunch of people sing repetitive monotone lyrics representing watered-down theology "Worship Music" -- just like 3-6 part choral music is 'Choir Music' and four part multi-verse songs are 'Congregational Hymns'... but this is just... wrong. Churches have split over 'style of worship' because they feel that only certain kinds of music are truly worshipful. Of course, if you're worshiping your choir director, organist or worship leader, or if you worship Keith Green, Charles Wesley or Fanny Crosby, such a split might be appropriate.
Finally, Worship is NOT a personal parade. It is not a time to exhibit your Sunday Best clothing, it is not a time to brag to your friends about your great job and perfect family, it is not a time to white-wash your face with a plastic smile and pretend to like people that you would be ashamed of on Monday-Saturday. Unless you worship yourself, Worship is NOT about YOU.
So... what IS Worship?
Worship is an awe-invoking and inspirational experience of the Divine, either collectively experienced with others or personally experienced while alone. We might seek out worship and not find it, or we might be 'tapped on the shoulder by God.' But,
Worship is about experiencing God.
In scripture we see the prophets worship, we see the psalmists lead the people in worship, we see the priests and kings struggle in their attempts to seek the face of God and worship. And in Christ, we see a Holy Man who allowed himself to be Worshiped. Jesus is the incarnate God, who wants us to worship him, to be with him, forever... so much so that God became mortal so that we could become eternal. So,
Our reason for being Christians is To Worship.
Missionaries go to bring the Gospel... what is the Gospel? That we can Worship God. We can Experience the Divine. Our purpose as Christians, our calling, our function, the thing that defines what we are and what we are supposed to do... is Worship.
Thanks be to God.
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