A couple of days ago, a church member expressed to me in an e-mail message her sadness over the spirit of corporate worship during our Sunday morning services. I asked if I could share her thoughts on TruthWalk in the hopes of generating some discussion. She agreed if I did so anonymously, so that the readership could focus on the content of what was said rather than the personality behind it. I can say as pastor that this person is growing in her faith, has been honest about her own struggles, and loves First Baptist Church. So don't think of this Christian sister as looking down her long, self-righteous nose at the rest of the congregation. She is simply sharing a concern in the hopes of correcting the problem as she perceives it.
So give this a read, and let us know your thoughts on the issue. Worship is our highest priority as Christians, for whatever we do is to be for the glory of God. How that is expressed may vary, but Scripture says a lot about even our expressions in worship. So read these comments in light of Scripture, and share your own thoughts by leaving your personal comments.
Hi Pastor Matt,
I have been very sad about something that I have noticed in our church, Praise and Worship time. It makes me so sad that I am, one of but so few that even move, never mind sing during this time. I tried to tell myself that well, maybe that is just how Conservative Baptists churches are or maybe the Northeast is just a little different but I no longer think this is so. I think it may be something else.
This is from Mike Cleveland's study today in The Lord's Table:
This scares me when I read it and I think of so many who merely stand during the songs and not even whisper the songs.
The definition of Praise and Worship from Dictionary.com:
Praise:
Worship:
This verse also clearly captures worship to me:
Revelations 5:8-14
I am just so sad that I don't see this. I get upset with myself when I am uncomfortable being the only one who is clapping and I stop because I feel 'silly'.
It isn't just that. I have also been burdened by the shortage of giving. I wondered how come this is so despite the letters pleading, the powerpoint presentations of the damage to the building and the explanation of taking care of the property, etc. Then I went to my old church a couple of weekends ago. Their praise and worship is much different than ours. The songs are about the same except the praise and worship team moves, smiles, claps and so forth. The church sings, claps and moves. Some sway their hands in the air. It seems like a celebration at times and then when the song gets slow and more serious, people seem to honestly feel the words. Why do I mention this? It's their giving. They give more than they have a budget for every week. The church is over its yearly goal and it is July. Is there a correlation between the praise and worship of the church and the giving? I submit that there is. I don't mean a good show put on by the team is what we need to do but an honest and heartful praise and worship of our Lord during this time may bring about change. How do we do this? I really don't know but I will pray, pray, pray.
Pastor Yusef on WEZE said something astonishing today. He wanted to know why the people who will scream themselves hoarse during an athletic event, stand, shout, clap and have no care in the world what a fool they make of themselves can't seem to even open their mouths or move a finger during praise and worship. I know it struck me pretty hard. I immediately thought of our praise and worship and it made me sad.
Maybe some senseless rambling of a tired person who should be in bed right now but it was on my heart to bring it up today. I probably should have just emailed this to Pastor Nick but I don't have his email address so you are the lucky recipient.
I have been very sad about something that I have noticed in our church, Praise and Worship time. It makes me so sad that I am, one of but so few that even move, never mind sing during this time. I tried to tell myself that well, maybe that is just how Conservative Baptists churches are or maybe the Northeast is just a little different but I no longer think this is so. I think it may be something else.
This is from Mike Cleveland's study today in The Lord's Table:
This verse tells us that our God is a consuming fire. Fire in Scripture often speaks of judgment, but may also refer to fervency. Fervency may be defined as an ignited spirit aflame with passion for the living God. It is truly amazing to note that God desires this passion for Him in you and in me. In fact, God is nauseated at the "Laodicean" spirit that is unenthusiastic, indifferent and half-hearted in its love for Him.
To the angel of the church in Laodicea write: The Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of the creation of God, says this: "I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot; I wish that you were cold or hot. So because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of My mouth." Revelation 3:14-16
This scares me when I read it and I think of so many who merely stand during the songs and not even whisper the songs.
The definition of Praise and Worship from Dictionary.com:
Praise:
| to express approval or admiration of; commend; extol. |
| to offer grateful homage to (God or a deity), as in words or song. |
Worship:
| 1. | reverent honor and homage paid to God or a sacred personage, or to any object regarded as sacred. |
| 2. | formal or ceremonious rendering of such honor and homage: They attended worship this morning. |
| 3. | adoring reverence or regard: excessive worship of business success. |
| 4. | the object of adoring reverence or regard. |
This verse also clearly captures worship to me:
Revelations 5:8-14
I am just so sad that I don't see this. I get upset with myself when I am uncomfortable being the only one who is clapping and I stop because I feel 'silly'.
It isn't just that. I have also been burdened by the shortage of giving. I wondered how come this is so despite the letters pleading, the powerpoint presentations of the damage to the building and the explanation of taking care of the property, etc. Then I went to my old church a couple of weekends ago. Their praise and worship is much different than ours. The songs are about the same except the praise and worship team moves, smiles, claps and so forth. The church sings, claps and moves. Some sway their hands in the air. It seems like a celebration at times and then when the song gets slow and more serious, people seem to honestly feel the words. Why do I mention this? It's their giving. They give more than they have a budget for every week. The church is over its yearly goal and it is July. Is there a correlation between the praise and worship of the church and the giving? I submit that there is. I don't mean a good show put on by the team is what we need to do but an honest and heartful praise and worship of our Lord during this time may bring about change. How do we do this? I really don't know but I will pray, pray, pray.
Pastor Yusef on WEZE said something astonishing today. He wanted to know why the people who will scream themselves hoarse during an athletic event, stand, shout, clap and have no care in the world what a fool they make of themselves can't seem to even open their mouths or move a finger during praise and worship. I know it struck me pretty hard. I immediately thought of our praise and worship and it made me sad.
Maybe some senseless rambling of a tired person who should be in bed right now but it was on my heart to bring it up today. I probably should have just emailed this to Pastor Nick but I don't have his email address so you are the lucky recipient.
Okay, folks, what are YOUR thoughts on all this?