Let's Talk About Worship

 In 2002 the book “The Purpose Driven Life” hit bookshelves all around the country and maybe even the world.  Pastor Rick Warren’s book struck a chord with many as the book flew off the shelves.  It certainly outsold his book from 1995 entitled “The Purpose Driven Church” and his then youth minister’s book entitled,  “The Purpose Driven Youth Ministry” from 1998.  To summarize all three of these books, Pastor Rick and Doug suggest that churches, youth ministries, and individuals exist for five purposes:  outreach, worship, discipleship, ministry, and fellowship.  

These ideas come from a close study of Acts 2 where we read, “42 They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. 43 Everyone was filled with awe at the many wonders and signs performed by the apostles. 44 All the believers were together and had everything in common. 45 They sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need. 46 Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, 47 praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.”

Now every church has worship.  I can’t imagine a “church” without it.  However, the suggestion has also been made that churches who minister more effectively add the adjective, “passionate” to their worship.  In other words, the question is not, “do we have worship?” but instead, “do we have ‘passionate’ worship?”  In other words, do we look forward to getting together to celebrate through singing, praying, giving, and hearing the Word of God?  Do we prepare ourselves for worship?  Or is our perspective of worship, “Okay, leaders, I’m here, now “wow” me”?  

When it comes to worship, we need to remember God is the audience.  The pastor, music leaders, choir and congregation are all worshippers.  God is the recipient of our worship.  One day, all Christians will gather around the throne and worship God.  So our week to week gatherings are really practice for the major event.  Our passionate worship here is preparation for passionate worship there!

Come, now is the time to worship!  Come, now is the time to give your heart. - Brian Doerksen

From My Heart . . .