The Heart of the Matter
I think we often fall into a trap in our worship assemblies. I know I do.The trap is believing that we are there for:
- our own pleasure
- to be entertained
- to be entertaining (in my case)
- to be encouraged
- to have an assembly that is customized to my liking
Why is this a trap? Worship in itself means taking action or doing something. Even the noun form of worship talks about paying respect or reverence. The verb form of worship is even better. According to Webster(R), Worship means to regard with great or extravagant respect, honor, or devotion. I ask...how can we "do worship" for our own benefit when God is looking for "great honor, respect, and devotion" from us?
Another aspect of worship that is often overlooked is encouragement. Not our encouragement, but the encouragement of others. My job as a christian, in the assembly or out, is to be a positive force for God. If I can say this without it being misinterpreted, my mere presence at the assembly is an encouragement to some. Look at it this way. When you are going to the assembly are there people you hope to see? Are there people that when you see them your face instantly lights up? You are that person to others. Your mere presence is an encouragement to some. Woship is not about you and it is not about me. It is about God. It is about encouraging your brothers and sisters and making the Church something that everyone wants to be a part of.
Have a Worship-filled day!
posted by HeartMan @ 6:41 AM
4 Comments:
Hey Mike,
Thanks for your feedback on Glenn's blog. I may seriously put together a powerpoint presentation for all of our group leaders. Great idea!
I heard central is looking for a minister to coordinate small groups. My good friend, Alan Robertson, held a small group seminar at your church last year. I pray that God will bless you with a great servant.
YO!
Great blog, Mike. I hope we can really get this one distributed around. I look forward to the dialogue.
Ah...worship...love to talk about it. For so long, even though I am a first-generation C of Cer, I learned to have little passion or expression in worship times due to the churches I attended. Worship is to put us in mind of GOD...to move us...to change us. How can we NOT be passionate about the One who brought us out of darkness?
The entertainment issue is really a false issue most of the time. Did you know that the word "entertain," and we even use the word this way as a verb, means to cause us to consider, or to reflect upon, or to receive? We are told in scripture, for example, not to ENTERTAIN an accusation against an elder without witnesses. This doesn't mean that we aren't to DANCE in front of them. Rather, we don't receive it. If it is entertaining people to help them receive the things of God and to reflect upon Him...well I guess I am FOR it.
Worship is reflecting upon GOD...it is receiving him, reflecting upon him...showing honor to him...and being changed in the process. If it causes that, it will bless our lives...and the lives of others.
p.s. Thanks for posting my blog! Connecting people to small groups and ministry...that is what I am passionate about as well as worship.
Great thoughts, Glenn. Mike and I have talked alot about the "entertainment factor". I believe it will take a long time for some to get beyod their preconceived ideas and previous indoctrinations that entertainment is wrong. Let's keep moving forward anyway.
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