Wednesday, November 17, 2010

Courage & Hope

Interesting… I read in a devotional this morning… on worship…

“If you have been involved in the worship ministry of your church for any length of time, there have probably been some disappointments along the way…. Maybe there have been times when people have not truly recognized the time and effort you and the others have devoted to worship ministry…. Or perhaps someone was critical of you or the others.

Whatever the case, you have certainly been disappointed. There may have been times when your hope for things getting better had vanished. Perhaps you’re there now.

Even in the midst of difficult times God still offers you hope. Do you have the courage to fish again? Will you call to God in time of trouble? For those who are willing, His hope is still there.”

Friday, May 21, 2010

Keeping up to the "new thing"

One of the catch-words in church ministry these days is "cutting-edge." We are supposed to keep up to the latest and greatest if we are going to be effective. If we don't people will leave our churches and go to churches where they can find what they are looking for. In the book "Times of Refreshing" Arlen Salte wrote,
"One of the sobering realities that has come with being in full-time ministry so many years has been seeing the "hot" thing come and go. The inability to change and to stay fresh is one of the greatest challenges in ministry."


It seems to me that we have been lured into a superficial world where sacrificial life change is uncommon. Jesus called people to deny themselves and follow him. They were to take up their cross and follow him. "Blessed are the persecuted." I suspect that once we get back to a genuine life-change experience, there will be many in this world who will desire to experience what we are experiencing.
As soon as I read that, I thought, "is that what church is supposed to be?" Is the church and the Christian life really so superficial that unless it keeps up to the latest 'fads' it will fail and die away? I hope not!

Friday, March 19, 2010

Like a Flower in Spring

I have been reading through the book of Isaiah over the past few weeks. Much of the first 39 chapters is pretty depressing. There are warnings after warnings of God's judgement on the people. It makes you want to skip those chapters entirely. Because of sin and rebellion against God, some detail is given about how one nation will be destroyed, anther devastated, and the people of Israel will be looted and dragged into captivity.

At one point King Hezekiah is a hero for turning to God in a time of national crisis and the nation is spared for a time. Then he shows his true colours when he is told that after he is gone the land will be looted and even his family will be ravaged, and he glad. Why? Because there will be peace in his life time.

Finally after all that darkness we come to Isa. 40. What at turn in focus and feeling. Suddenly we hear the words "comfort," "He gathers his lambs," "The Lord is the everlasting God," and "those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength." It feels like spring has arrived after an Alberta winter. Flowers start to bloom and there is the healing warmth of the sun (without the threat of spring storms).

I am reminded that God is a God of justice and a God of Grace. When we turn against God, we will be held accountable. But when we turn to God, God extends his grace and bring forgiveness and refreshing into our lives. There are times when we experience pain - even excruciating pain, and he brings us to a place of healing and wholeness. And we have the promise of perfect wholeness in eternity.

So, as the writer to the Hebrews wrote, "Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart." (Heb. 12:3)

Monday, March 08, 2010

Listening before we speak

As a pastor, I preach and teach, but who are people really hearing? Mark Buchanan put it so well when he wrote in his book "The Rest Of God,"
All our authority is derived. Either God gives us words, or we are only giving opinions. Either God vouches for us, or our credentials are forged. If anyone ever stops to listen to you or me, this had better be solidly in place: Our speaking comes out of our listening. What we say comes out of what we hear. We have to be people who listen, day and night, to God. Our utterances ought to be as Jesus' were: an echoing of the Father, an imitation of him. They ought to be a holy ventriloquism, a sacred pantomime. Peter puts it this way: "If anyone speaks, he should do it as one speaking the very words of God" (1 Pet. 4:11). That verse should be paired with Jesus' statement: "He who has ears, let him hear."*
This "advice" is so timely for me because I am taking some time to prepare for preaching and teaching as I read this. May my preaching and teaching be what God desires to say, not simply what I think people should hear.

Friday, March 05, 2010

Service of Worship

Quoting from "Times of Refreshing", Gerrit Gustafson reflects on a conversation with Mother Theresa... he asked what worship meant to her...

"If you really want to bless the Lord and pour out your love on Him, He has told us how to do it." And then she quoted Jesus' words in Matthew 25: "Inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of these My brethren, you did it to Me" (NKJV).... She challenged me with these words: "If you really want to lavish your love on God, pour out your life on the needy."

... On my flight home, somewhere between Delhi and Frankfurt, I came across these words in Hebrews 13: "Through Jesus, therefore, let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise -- the fruit of lips that confess his name. And do not forget to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifice4s God is pleased" (Hebrews 13:15-16).

Worship is about bowing down before God and serving him with all of our lives.

Wednesday, February 24, 2010

Worship and the 5th Commandment

It is my father's 84th birthday today. Today I want to honour my father by telling you of some of the ways he has significantly shaped my life.
  • He loves God and does whatever he knows to and can to follow Him
  • He loves his family. When I was a young lad he took me along to where he worked - even when it was out of town. We had regular times of playing games together as a family.
  • He loved to travel and instilled that in me. I got to go along on several of trips when I was 10 and then when I was 16.
  • He was always early - we were always the first to arrive at church. I still prefer to be early.
  • He worked hard. I remember many times when he would be covered in sweat from his hard work.
  • He enjoyed music and led worship in church for years. Of course back then he was called a "song leader." We often sang together as family. Mom & Dad would sing together. And many times they would go to hospitals, senior homes, First Nations villages, and prisons to sing for people.
  • Although I never did get to see him play, I am told he was a good hockey player.
  • He heard me preach my first couple of sermons. The second one being at Miracle Valley, a rehab centre in the Fraser Valley.
  • He did what he could to reach out to those who needed Christ. Even sending out literature to those who may be open to listen.
  • Etc.

I don't think of it very often, but my Dad impacted my life in a major way. I thank him and honour him for being a man of God who cares enough to make a difference in this world - and particularly his family.

Friday, February 19, 2010

Boredom in Worship

Today I want to share some reading with you. From "Times of Refreshing" with this section being written by Tom Kraeuter.

I remember the first time we took one of our children to a movie theater. Everything about the experience was fascinating for the youngster. Even before we got inside the building, just buying the tickets was an adventure. Of course, after that, giving the just-purchased tickets to the guy who rips them in half took some explaining. Walking down the softly lit corridor to the correct theater caused questions about all the other movies being shown. Choosing a seat was a big dilemma: Was the first row too close to the screen? Was the back too far away? Would somewhere in the middle be best? Which side of the aisle? Near the aisle or closer to the wall? By the way, where is the rest room?

Everything was brand-new. I had to keep reminding myself of that. Over my lifetime, I'm sure I've been to a dozen movies. This was old stuff for me. Though perhaps I had never been to this particular theater before, I had been to many movies. My child, on the other hand, was a first-timer. Everything he saw was a brand-new experience for him. There was a wonder and amazement that I had lost in the movie-going experience.

Once we've done something once or twice it becomes old hat to us. Our usual reaction today to practically anything in life is, "Been there, done that. " What would be the reaction of Wilbur and Orville Wright if they took a ride on a modern jet. Their first flight was the distance of the equivalent of the wingspan of a 747. We, on the other hand, get on a plane and open a book or magazine to keep from being bored.

Unfortunately, we can too easily have the same complacency in our worship. Over time we can become accustomed to the words, the actions, the emotions, the music and begin to tune it out.

On the other hand, in (Psalm 92:4-5), the psalmist said, "You make me glad by your deeds...I sing for joy at the works of your hands. How great are your works...how profound your thoughts!" These are not words of complacency. There is clearly a freshness and enthusiasm in these words.*


When you and I approach a "worship service" are we complacent or do we come with a sense of amazement and expectancy?

*Times of Refreshing: A Worship Ministry Devotional, Tom Kraeuter [ed], Training Resources Inc., 2002, p. 27.

Thursday, February 18, 2010

An Amazing Worship Event

One of my favourite Bible passages is Isaiah 6. As I was reading this I discovered some key elements of a worship service.

ISAIAH 6:1-8
In the year that King Uzziah died, I saw the Lord seated on a throne, high and exalted, and the train of his robe filled the temple. Above him were seraphs, each with six wings: With two wings they covered their faces, with two they covered their feet, and with two they were flying. And they were calling to one another:
"Holy, holy, holy is the LORD Almighty; the whole earth is full of his glory."
At the sound of their voices the doorposts and thresholds shook and the temple was filled with smoke.
"Woe to me!" I cried. "I am ruined! For I am a man of unclean lips, and I live among a people of unclean lips, and my eyes have seen the King, the LORD Almighty."
Then one of the seraphs flew to me with a live coal in his hand, which he had taken with tongs from the altar. With it he touched my mouth and said, "See, this has touched your lips; your guilt is taken away and your sin atoned for."
Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, "Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?"
And I said, "Here am I. Send me!"


We see here that worship involves
1) Connecting with & seeing God (for who He really is)
2) Actively Participating in Worship
3) Confession & Repentance
4) Receiving Forgiveness & Cleansing
5) Responding To God in Service

Wednesday, February 17, 2010

Follow the Leader

Leadership can be a fearful thing. Especially when people watch and follow. In the book "Times of Refreshing" Bill Rayborn writes,

Anyone involved in the church worship ministry is seen by people in the congregation as a leader. You may not want that to happen. You might dislike it when it occurs, but that won't change the fact that people see you as a leader. Whether you want to be or not, you are an example to someone. People will look at not only how you button your coat but also how you treat your spouse and children. They will take notice of how you drive and how you respond when you're tired or overworked. They will observe your actions when you're at a restaurant, at the mall, or in church. You will be an example for someone."

That is quite a challenge - and it not only applies to pastors, but to all leaders.

At first I respond and say "that's not fair." Then I read the Apostle Paul's writings and he invites people to follow him. To do as he does. As he follows Christ, so others should be able to follow him. Does that mean that we put on an act so people will "think" we are better than we really are? No. It means that as we genuinely life for Christ, people should be able to follow and be following Christ.

Your thoughts?

Thursday, February 11, 2010

Holiness and Worship

At the conclusion of my Sunday School class this past Sunday, I asked my class to consider the following question. "Can a person live a sinful life during the week, then come to the church on Sunday morning and expect to be able to worship?"

This morning I read from Isaiah 1. Here is part of it. Read it and let me know how you think it relates to the question I asked my class.

Isaiah 1:13-18
Stop bringing meaningless offerings!
Your incense is detestable to me.
New Moons, Sabbaths and convocations--
I cannot bear your evil assemblies.
Your New Moon festivals and your appointed feasts my soul hates.
They have become a burden to me;
I am weary of bearing them.
When you spread out your hands in prayer,
I will hide my eyes from you;
even if you offer many prayers, I will not listen.
Your hands are full of blood;
wash and make yourselves clean.
Take your evil deeds out of my sight!
Stop doing wrong, learn to do right!
Seek justice, encourage the oppressed.
Defend the cause of the fatherless, plead the case of the widow.

"Come now, let us reason together," says the LORD.
"Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow;
though they are red as crimson, they shall be like wool.

Wednesday, February 10, 2010

Skill and Worship

When leading worship in a corporate worship experience, is skill important? Or is it simply the heart that matters?

In reading from the book "Times Of Refreshing" this morning I found a quote from 1 Chronicles 15:22 where it says "Kenaniah the head Levite was in charge of the singing; that was his responsibility because he was skilful at it." Often we read in the Old Testament that people were chosen for certain tasks (i.e. building the tabernacle) because they were skilful at it.

It is interesting to me that when it comes to worship leadership in the church that we tend to set aside the "skilful at it" part because we somehow get the notion that someone who is playing or singing skilfully is showing off.

Now, it is important that anyone involved in worship leadership - as the leader or team member - not only be skilful, but filled with and led by the Spirit of God. In the New Testament, when leaders or ministry personnel were chosen, the first prerequisite was always that they be filled with the Spirit. It would seem to me then, that those of us who are involved in worship leadership should be continually filled with the Spirit as well as developing our skill in worship ministry.

Tuesday, February 09, 2010

Church and Marriage

This coming Sunday, I will be preaching on "Keys To A Lasting Marriage." We were looking for a song to sing as a congregation after the message. It is almost impossible to find a song that relates to the subject that we can sing together - at least one that in on any list of songs we might sing in church.

It seems kind of strange that in a day when the church works hard whthin society to keep marriage Biblical and based on Christian values that we never sing about it in church. Does marriage have nothing to do with worship? If we bow down before God and serve him, is marriage not included in that worship?

What do you think? Why don't we sing about marriage in church?

Wednesday, February 03, 2010

Judgment and Grace

I finished reading Ecclesiastes today. In the final chapter the author begins by telling us to remember our Creator in the days of our youth. Then he lists a bunch of reasons why. My goodness, what a list! Remember your Creator before... you can hardly see, you stoop, your teeth are worn, you can't sleep in, you are afraid in the streets,... and then you finally die! Once again he states "Meaningless, meaningless, everything is meaningless!"

Then at the very end of the book we find a conclusion.
Now all has been heard; here is the conclusion of the matter:
Fear God and keep his commandments,
for this is the whole duty of man.
For God will bring every deed into judgment,
including every hidden thing
whether good or bad.


After reading this, I felt kind of hopeless. Once you are no longer young, life seems so awful and it all is meaningless. And then God judges EVERYTHING you have done. I get such a picture of being under intense scrutiny with the judge waiting to beat you every time you do something wrong.

Then I am immediately reminded of Ephesians 2:8-9 "For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith - - and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God -- not by works so that no one can boast." The judgment that was/is/will be on my wrongdoing has all been laid on Christ when He carried our sin on the cross. When He paid the price for our sin in a way that we never could. I no longer need to fear the Judge. I now worship Him! I bow down and serve Him!

Tuesday, February 02, 2010

Breakforth

Breakforth Canada in Edmonton on the weekend was a wonderful experience. When the band began to play, we began to sing and I could "feel" the music, I began to weep as my whole being became engaged in worship.

For years, in many conservative, evangelical churches, we have been directed to worship with our minds alone - and maybe our mouths. Zwingli, the Swiss Reformer, taught that our senses should not be involved in our worship. He therefore removed musical instruments and any artwork from the Grossmunster in Zurich so that people would not be "moved" to worship but would choose to worship.

Are we really only to worship God with our minds? Are we not told to love the Lord our God with all our heart, soul, mind and strength? Are we not to worship God with all of who we are? Does that not included the mind, emotions, body, etc?

At Breakforth, I picked up some materials on "Experiential Worship." Bob Rognlien teaches the very concepts that I have been thinking about for a number of years. I look forward to reading what he has to say.

I suspect that God intends for us, and invites us, to worship Him with our mind, soul, heart and strength. What do you think?

Thursday, January 28, 2010

Culture and Worship

A comment was made to me recently that has caused me to think about the relationship between culture and worship. I was in a conversation about a particular aspect of corporate worship when the comment was made "I guess you just don't understand our culture."

The first question this comment raised for me is "do we worship culture?" Do we bow down to and serve our culture? Of course, we are all affected by our culture. Culture often shapes us in ways we don't realize or recognize. When our culture is at odds with or hinders our worship of the One True God, will we say "no" to our culture and go against culture? But then, in our multi-cultural society in Canada, which culture do we worship? Ethic culture? Youth culture? Which segment of youth culture? Church culture? Which brand of church culture? Builder culture, boomer culture, buster culture, gen x,y,z culture? You get the picture.

This leads me the the second question which is similar to the first: how much does or should culture affect our worship? Even if we don't choose to bown down to and serve culture, how much should we allow our culture to affect our worship? It is certainly true that we will most freely and genuinely worship when we can worship within the context of our own culture. The interesting thing is, that in many churches the corporate church worship experiences do not accurately reflect the culture of the local community. We sing different styles of music in church, we often dress differently (our Sunday-going-to-meeting, or church clothes), and we act differently. People who are very active, animate and expressive suddenly become still and inexpressive in corporate worship.

Then thirdly, is it possible that our worship should help shape culture? If our culture is unhealthy or hindering us in our genuine living a life of worship, should we wave the white flag and say "too bad, but that is just how it is?" Or should we rather change how we do things in our corporate worship which will help to bring change to our culture?

Anyway, there is much more that could be talked about on the subject. What do you think?

Wednesday, January 27, 2010

Ecclesiastes Musings

Once again I was reading from Ecclesiastes. Two things struck me this time: 1) Solomon's understanding of life after death (or not); 2) How we take part of a verse in the Bible and often quote it while ignoring the second part of that same verse (or verses surrounding it).

Ecclesiastes 9:9-10 "Enjoy life with your wife, whom you love, all the days of this meaningless life that God has given you under the sun-- all your meaningless days. For this is your lot in life and in your toilsome labor under the sun. Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with all your might, for in the grave, where you are going, there is neither working nor planning nor knowledge nor wisdom."

Solomon seems to indicate that you may as well give life your best shot - while you are living - because that's all there is. After you are gone, you ain't gonna be doin' nothin'. Of course we know from the rest of Scripture that life on this earth is not the end. As a matter of fact, it is really only the beginning. Certainly what we do on earth affects our life after.

It is interesting to me that we often quote, or hear quoted, the first part of verse 10. "Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with all your might,..." A good quote to encourage those who may have a tendency toward laziness. However, the reason that he gives, which is the second part of the verse (which we don't quote, and likely didn't even realize existed) is because there is no more to our existence than life on this earth.

With this rationale, are we inclined to worship our work rather than the One who invites us to work and looks forward to spending eternity with us?

Tuesday, January 26, 2010

Worship and Work

I suspect we don't often think of our work as an act of worship. The following probobly isn't true, but is quoted from an unknown source in a book I am reading.

When you have had one of those take-this-job-and-shove-it-days, try this. On your way home, stop at your pharmacy and go to the section where they have thermometers. You will need to purchase a rectal thermometer made by the Q-tip Company. Be sure that you get this brand. When you get home, lock your doors, draw the drapes, and disconnect the phone so you will not be disturbed during your therapy. Change into something comfortable, such as a sweat suit, and lie down on your bed. Open the package containing the thermometer, remove it, and carefully place it on the bedside table so that it will not become chipped or broken. Take the written material that accompanies the thermometer. As you read, notice in small print this statement: "Every rectal thermometer made by Q-tip is personally tested."
Close your eyes. Say out loud five times, "Thank you, oh thank you, that I do not work in quality control at the Q-tip Complany."

I understand that Q-tip is actually not a brand, but a particular product. None-the-less, we have a tendency to "worship" our work, or feel we are slaves to it. How do we view our work?

Mark Buchanan in his book "The Rest of God" writes, "The opposite of a slave is not a free man. it's a worshiper. The one who is most free is the one who turns the work of his hands into sacrament, into offering. All he makes and all he does are gifts from God, through God, and to God."

Friday, January 22, 2010

Worship and Ecclesiastes

According to our DVD series on "What Is Worship," worship is...
- The ascription of ultimate value and worth (the reason)
- To a person, place or thing (the object)
- By the focusing of all activities of the human spectrum (the actions)
- On that object's value and honor (the result)
How we worship pivots around the reality that we are crated in God's image.

Last night I heard a young lady sing in our local coffee shop. She sang that if God was made in our image, he couldn't be trusted. Thankfully, we are made in His image, not He in our image.

So... as we worship God by focusing all our activities on God how does that affect life?

Changing the subject... In my personal "worship time" I am reading through Ecclesiastes. I admit there are some 'proverbs' in chp. 7 that I wrestle with.
Vs. 3 "Sorrow is better than laughter, because a sad face is good for the heart." Surely the author is not advocating a morbid life!?! Is it true then, that we should walk around with long faces rather than cheerful ones? What about Proverbs 17:22 "A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones."?

How about Eccl. 7:10 "Do not say, "Why were the old days better than these?" For it is not wise to ask such questions." Is this verse suggesting that we should not reflect on the past and learn from it? Often I hear people talk of the 'good old days.' I would like to know, why were they good? Were the Israelites not instructed to erect monuments which would provoke their children to ask so they could tell them about the 'good old days' when God accomplished the miraculous?


What do you think?

Thursday, January 21, 2010

Worship that leaves one empty

I have been reading in Ecclesiates lately. It is very interesting to read the author's struggle with what he observes in life. Several times in the first few chapters he talks about how people strive & work hard to attain wealth - and actually achieve that wealth. The problem is, they never seem to get to the place where they can fully enjoy what they have achieved.

In Eccl. 6: 3 he writes "... yet no matter how long he lives, if he cannot enjoy his prosperity and does not receive proper buriel, I say that a stillborn child is better off than he." It is interesting to note that it is very often true that those who strive so hard to achieve wealth and success, never seem to be able enjoy their wealth - and rest.

I think it all comes down to worship. What is it that we worship? What is it that we bow down do and serve? We will receive our reward according to whom or what we worship. If we worship money, we will never be satisfied. After all, how much do you have to have until you have enough? "Just a little bit more."

It is only as we worship God, the One who created this universe, the One who holds all things in his hands, that we will find true happiness, fulfillment and rest.

Thursday, January 14, 2010

Sun Worship

I love these morning when the sun rises to meet the day with a great big smile! The sky is clear and after a dark night that seemed to go forever the sun seems to refresh the mind and soul. It is on these mornings when I can understand how many on this earth have (and some still do) worshipped the sun.

Ths sun seems to bring life to the earth. It brings light where there was darkness. It warms the earth. The sun appears to command the universe. Is it not surprising that people would bow down to and serve the sun?

Then I am reminded of when Debbie and visited Egypt and hiked up Mount Sinai at night to watch the sunrise from the top of the mountain. As the sun began to brighten the sky and finally broke through the horizon we watched a breathtaking, glorious sight. I was filled with awe and wonder.

But then I was reminded of Moses who met with God on that very mountain and the glory of the Lord was so powerful that no one else was allowed to set foot on the mountain. And the words of a song began to play in my mind. "The sun cannot compare to the glory of the Lord. There is no shadow in Your presence..." And I was reminded that the sun was created by the Lord. It does what it has been told to do. It does not command our world. It is the Lord who is the "general manager of the universe." We all could stand in the presence of the glory of the sun. No one can stand in the presence of the glory of the Lord unless the Lord grants permisson.

Why worship the sun when you can worship the Lord who created the sun and tells it what to do?
Come, let us worship and bow down,
Let us kneel before the Lord, our God, our Maker!

Wednesday, January 13, 2010

The word "worship" in the Bible

The words used most frequently when referring to worship are

  • “Shachad” in Hebrew and “proskuneo” in Greek.
  • Shachad means to bow down or prostrate one’s self.
    It is an act of worship representing humble submission before one who is superior. It involves paying homage to royalty.
  • Proskuneo means “to kiss toward .”
    Among the Orientals, especially the Persians, it meant to fall upon the knees and touch the ground with the forehead as an expression of profound reverence.

Several other words translated worship are “abodah” in Hebrew and “latreia” in Greek.

  • Both of these words mean “to serve” or “to work.”

  • Exodus 34:14 Do not worship (bow down) any other god, for the LORD, whose name is Jealous, is a jealous God.
  • Matthew 2:2 “Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw his star in the east and have come to worship (bow down) him."
  • Exodus 3:12 And God said, "I will be with you. And this will be the sign to you that it is I who have sent you: When you have brought the people out of Egypt, you will worship (serve) God on this mountain."
  • Romans 12:1 Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God-- this is your spiritual act of worship (serve).

Worship involves action. It is a positive action of an inferior submitting to a superior. There is a sense in which worship is not only bowing down before the object of worship, but involves active service for the one being worshipped.

Saturday, January 09, 2010

Definition of Worship

I have read many definitions on worship and have discovered there is no consensus on the definition of worship.

Bob Sorge, in his book Exploring Worship, lists a number of definitions and concludes
“real worship defies definition; it can only be experienced.”

Marva Dawn in her book, Reaching Out Without Dumbing Down, suggests

The word worship comes from the Old English roots weorth, meaning “honor” and “worthiness,” and scipe, signifying “to create.” Of course, we cannot “create” God’s honor because it is inherently God’s but we do devise ways to honor God that bespeak his worthiness, all the while recognizing that our attempts are inadequate, that we will never duly laud the Trinity until we join the saints and angels in perfectly glorifying God forever.

Wednesday, January 06, 2010

Worship Team

Okay, so my worship team is on to lead worship this coming Sunday. And I love my team. I really appreciate their commitment, talents, spiritual heart, etc. I very much enjoy the team.

But now I have a problem. One of our key singers is busy with a wedding. Another gave birth to twins this week. Our drummer just found he will be gone for a week, and our other main drummers are not available. The music I planned would seem "empty" without a drummer.

My question today is... with these key parts missing, how can we effectively lead worship on Sunday? Will the music not be up to the expectations of the people (never mind the team)? And if not, will they enter into worship? Does our worship on Sunday really depend that much on the quality of the sound that comes from the worship team? (okay,that was more than one question).

If so, I wonder what it is that we worship?

Tuesday, January 05, 2010

What is worship?

Starting this coming Sunday, I am going to be teaching a Sunday School class on the subject of "What is worship?" I have not taught a SS class in a few years so I am looking forward to the challenge of preperation & teaching the class itself. During this time, I will endeavor to write some thoughts on worship on this blog.
Please feel free to respond or ask questions in the comments section.

When I think of worship, what comes to mind first? Well, I am associate pastor responsible for "worship." That leads me to think about worship as what we do on Sunday mornings when we gather at 'the church.' I certainly hope that we do worship at those events on Sunday morning. I wonder what it is that we worship when we are there?

There must be more to worship than what happens on Sunday morning! Lets join the journey of discovery as we look at what the Bible teaches and then put into practice what we learn.