One of the popular, modern beliefs about Christian worship is that it primarily occurs when the congregation is led in singing by a band of musicians and singers.
That view is unfortunate and takes us back to the days when the laity came to church not to sing but to listen to the beautiful cathedral choirs do the singing.
For sometimes, the use of 'worship teams' with bands' and singers' efforts amplified can inhibit congregational participation. The 'worship team' can become a unit set apart by its skills and volume from the congregation leading to congregants becoming passive in their involvement in the service.
Interestingly, the perspective that supported the Medieval church in its captivity was its split view that regarded the ordained in a higher, separate category. These exalted ones all had a 'vocation', a calling. Needless to say, the common, unordained folk found in the congregation did not have a vocation.
The great Reformer, Martin Luther challenged that understanding. He countered by stating that God is milking the cows of the countryside through the hands of the milkmaids! (See G. E. Veith's splendid article on Luther's reformation idea of vocation.)
Moreover, entertainment keeps non-Christians and Christians alike from focussing any attention on the world to come.
It hasn't always been like this and certainly for major parts of the 20th C -during the two world wars and in the 1930s economic depression in-between- entertainment as a way of life, wasn't prominent. Even after WWII, both the victors and vanquished societies were exhausted by the war effort.
After the second WW, things were slow until we hit the 1960s with worldwide street protests and the young dropping out of 'the establishment' and experimenting with free 'love', 'recreational' drugs and different modes of living.
The establishment of television in the West became the springboard for many other technologies that have been directed towards financial gain through providing entertainment. Central to that entertainment culture has been the pop music industry.
We cannot blind our eyes to the fact that Christians also breathe the air of this popular music-centred, entertainment culture. We also cannot avoid the unnerving questions that it raises for Christian worship services in general.
N. T. Wright, the famous New Testament scholar, points out that church worship music has done two things historically: reflect the culture we live in but also, challenged that culture if need be.
He expresses concern that some present worship songs are all about 'my love affair' with Jesus. His gentle chides that the 'falling in love' metaphor is rather like striking a match. We see all the fireworks and it's exciting; but if the lighted match is used to light a candle, then the match's light is given a more permanent expression in the burning candle.
The other concern that should be expressed about some worship songs is that they are individualistic in theme rather than we-affirmations of the assembled body of believers. Of course, both types have their place but both should be given a place in the church's repertoire.
From the stricter liturgies of the older denominations to the free forms of the newer groups each congregation is acknowledging God's Lordship, Kingship, Sovereignty, Loving Kindness, Goodness, Holiness and Tender Mercies and praising, glorifying, thanking and honouring Him for all he has done.
But we need to do it because in acknowledging who God is we also acknowledge who we are.
He is the Creator who has given us life and who sustains our lives moment-by-moment. To not acknowledge that is to live a life of delusion. To try to live without gratitude for the life we have is to exist as an ingrate.
Much, much better to recognise from where we draw all our life and this occurs in confessing God's worthiness to receive all our praise.
That view is unfortunate and takes us back to the days when the laity came to church not to sing but to listen to the beautiful cathedral choirs do the singing.
For sometimes, the use of 'worship teams' with bands' and singers' efforts amplified can inhibit congregational participation. The 'worship team' can become a unit set apart by its skills and volume from the congregation leading to congregants becoming passive in their involvement in the service.
Interestingly, the perspective that supported the Medieval church in its captivity was its split view that regarded the ordained in a higher, separate category. These exalted ones all had a 'vocation', a calling. Needless to say, the common, unordained folk found in the congregation did not have a vocation.
The great Reformer, Martin Luther challenged that understanding. He countered by stating that God is milking the cows of the countryside through the hands of the milkmaids! (See G. E. Veith's splendid article on Luther's reformation idea of vocation.)
Entertainment As A Way of Life
It doesn't take too much discernment to see that our present society is taken up with entertainment and amusement. Although, our secular society worships other gods as well, entertainment is big business and it keeps consumers (horrible word!) off the streets and inside shops spending.Moreover, entertainment keeps non-Christians and Christians alike from focussing any attention on the world to come.
It hasn't always been like this and certainly for major parts of the 20th C -during the two world wars and in the 1930s economic depression in-between- entertainment as a way of life, wasn't prominent. Even after WWII, both the victors and vanquished societies were exhausted by the war effort.
After the second WW, things were slow until we hit the 1960s with worldwide street protests and the young dropping out of 'the establishment' and experimenting with free 'love', 'recreational' drugs and different modes of living.
The establishment of television in the West became the springboard for many other technologies that have been directed towards financial gain through providing entertainment. Central to that entertainment culture has been the pop music industry.
We cannot blind our eyes to the fact that Christians also breathe the air of this popular music-centred, entertainment culture. We also cannot avoid the unnerving questions that it raises for Christian worship services in general.
Christian worship songs
N. T. Wright, the famous New Testament scholar, points out that church worship music has done two things historically: reflect the culture we live in but also, challenged that culture if need be.
He expresses concern that some present worship songs are all about 'my love affair' with Jesus. His gentle chides that the 'falling in love' metaphor is rather like striking a match. We see all the fireworks and it's exciting; but if the lighted match is used to light a candle, then the match's light is given a more permanent expression in the burning candle.
The other concern that should be expressed about some worship songs is that they are individualistic in theme rather than we-affirmations of the assembled body of believers. Of course, both types have their place but both should be given a place in the church's repertoire.
At the heart of worship is reverent adoration
Lots of ways exist for the church to express reverent adoration of its God.From the stricter liturgies of the older denominations to the free forms of the newer groups each congregation is acknowledging God's Lordship, Kingship, Sovereignty, Loving Kindness, Goodness, Holiness and Tender Mercies and praising, glorifying, thanking and honouring Him for all he has done.
Why do we need to worship?
Why does God need our worship and adoration? Well he doesn't need it!But we need to do it because in acknowledging who God is we also acknowledge who we are.
He is the Creator who has given us life and who sustains our lives moment-by-moment. To not acknowledge that is to live a life of delusion. To try to live without gratitude for the life we have is to exist as an ingrate.
Much, much better to recognise from where we draw all our life and this occurs in confessing God's worthiness to receive all our praise.
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