“Hey, worship sounded great yesterday!”
“Thanks,” I enthusiastically replied, and felt that familiar
wrestling in my gut. For years now, I’ve tried to figure out how to best
respond to similar compliments. To be honest, I appreciate the kind words. Who
doesn’t enjoy a pat on the back from time to time? But what about when it
doesn’t sound great? Sometimes I wonder if we need to expand our understanding
of worship. Here are some principles I’d love for you to ponder and hopefully
embrace.
Worship is not… just music. The words we use matter. I’ve
found that sometimes when we talk about “the worship,” we really are talking
about “the music.” Worship is so much more. What about prayer? Or
listening (actively) to God’s word? Giving our offerings? Communion? And those
are just the things we typically do on Sunday mornings! Keep reading…
Worship is not… a performance (and we are not the audience).
Sometimes we seem to think worship is a performance we attend. “How was worship
today?” “It was amazing!” If this sounds familiar and worship has become
something to watch and hear, then I apologize, because some Sundays I’m a
terrible performer! I miss chords, I forget words. The good news is, worship is
a product: it’s an offering. Worship is what you bring. Maybe that’s singing
and praying along on Sunday mornings. But maybe for you it’s helping your
neighbor, or encouraging a friend, or mentoring a young person, or leading a
small group, or giving an offering… worship can be anything that you bring to
give glory to God!
Worship is… “the work of the people.” This is the
biblical definition of worship. It’s what happens when God’s people gather and
declare together that Jesus is Lord in all areas of our corporate life! So I’d
encourage you to sing along. Get involved. Say “amen.” Show kindness to others.
Join a small group. Serve, in and out of the church. See Sunday morning as a
recap of your worship life for the past week, and as a prelude of your worship
life for the next week. I’d love for every one of us to leave your church on
Sundays with a prayer in our hearts, “God, that was for you. Thanks for your
love. And this week: it’s for You, too. Thanks for speaking to me today!”
Worship is… a transformed life. Wouldn’t it be awesome if
when someone said, “Tell me about your church,” you responded by telling them
how Jesus has transformed you, and how you see Jesus transforming those around
you at your church? Don’t get them interested with “the music is awesome” or “the
message is the best.” Tell them—and show them—how your church has changed you, and
invite them to come along.
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