Worship: It’s All About Us?
- Posted by: Todd
- Posted on: Tue, October 05, 2004
- Viewed 154
- (30) comments so far
My suspicion is that pedestaling is the result of a long-standing and unchallenged religious humanism within a congregation?s life: the functional belief that we, not Christ, are the answer to our own problems; that spiritual success is a matter of knowing the right things to do and doing them; that Christianity is a matter of following the teachings of Christ rather than being indwelled and transformed by the living Christ. It is Jesus morphed into a self-help system: in short, The Achievement Gospel. The problem is, when The Achievement Gospel is played out in our worship centers and sanctuaries via captivating music, screen, and Plexiglas podiums, it takes on the dimension of the holy.
How do you recognize pedestaling in your congregation?s worship services? Here are fifteen signs that may indicate you?ve got a problem. If you see your congregation in four or more of these scenarios, consider making some changes. Quickly. Because biblical worship is first about God, and then it?s about us.
Besides, in a post-September 11 world, people have figured out just how small and powerless they really are. If pedestaling hung on in your congregation through the nineties, it?s definitely history now.
THE FIFTEEN SIGNS OF PEDESTALING
1. lack of an opening prayer (note: opening with prayer orients the entire worship experience toward the divine vs. the human; it's called, "Going Vertical")
2. hyper-scheduled worship format (no room for spontaneity)
3. majority of worship songs seem to drive right into another
4. avoidance of silence (a constant stream of music and/or speaking)
5. little opportunity for the congregation to interact outside of singing (i.e., no creeds; little or no corporate prayer; no ritual)
6. how-to lists vs. the stories of God and God's people
7. emphasis on godly principles vs. God's Person
8. the service's goal: meeting felt needs vs. enabling a God-encounter (which usually goes way beyond felt needs. See Isaiah 6.)
9. no confession
10. infrequent communion (less than once per month)
11. church commercials that break the worship flow (otherwise known as announcements; interestingly enough, these breaks usually come after a set of songs that are supposed to lead us into places of intimacy with God)
12. close-up video images of worship team members (who are we worshiping, anyway?)
13. band, worship leaders, pastors always placed front and center (how about placing a cross, candles, art in the center? We tend to elevate/worship whatever is right in front of us.)
13. little or no Christian art and/or symbols (remember: bare walls and a corporate/lecture type worship space are symbols in and of themselves.
14. They tend to represent western corporate culture and a very human-centered, human dominated universe)
15. no closing prayer or benediction (it's just "see you next week")
I do agree that worship has become consumeristic in nature in many ways in many places. But what do you think of this list? Are the some items that you agree with or others that you disagree with. Are there others you would add? I'd love to get a lively discussion going on this topic, and you can add your two cents worth now by clicking on the 'comments' link below.
Also, you can check out the full article, thread and comments on this at IPlasma.com.
A recent post at IPlasma.com caught my attention. The writer sets out his premise by saying this: It has become entirely possible to forego the God orientation entirely. Instead of a vertical relationship between worshiper and The One Worshiped, these kinds of services are essentially flattened to a congregation’s experience of themselves. Translated, “It’s about us.” Of course that brings to mind the newer worship song we’ve all probably sung hundreds of times by now that in part says, “I’m sorry Lord, for the thing I’ve made it [worship], cause it’s all about you, Jesus. Continuing on… the writer says…
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Comments
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Chris Fowler on Wed, October 06, 2004
I agree in large part with the premise put forward. “Worship” has become way too man (and woman) centered . You find that I or Me is used many more times than God or He. It has always been since O.T. times (and before)that man wants to define worship, however, ture worship is worship as God defines it. If we look at worship as, “God’s revelation of Himself or His activities and our response to that revelation” then our music and service should revolve around the depth of who God is.
I am convinced that the approach of modern, contemporary, et al. “worship” seeks to contrive emotion- a warm feeling and then labels it “worship”. The repetitive almost trance inducing chourses (ie I could sing of your love forever repeated over 15x as 1 congregationrecently did). I can get a warm feeling hearing great classical music, or I can feel energized by certian rock music- music does breed emotion. But we are seeking much more than emotion, we are seeking to encounter holy almighty God. The great travesty of the movement is that it is totally devoid of substance.
To engender an atmosphere of worship ought we not seek to present as much of God as possible. His attributes, activities, His grace, His redemption, His omnipotent creative power, HIS GLORY!!! Why is it that we cannot take the modern, contemporary style and fill it with substance- a depth of TRUTH and a depth of GOD? Maybe then it could truly be called worship!
Chris Fowler on Wed, October 06, 2004
Me Again- One additional thought:
True Worship- an encounter with God will always leave us changed. It will not be a feeling that wears off after our Sunday nap. It may be that God convicts us in worhsip, it may be that God rebukes us in worship, or it may be that God refreshes us. No matter which way God encounters us it is wonderful and it is life changing. Is 6- Isaiah’s life was radically altered. Saul on the road to Damascus encounered GOd and was transformed from a muderer to a life boat for a lost world. THe shephereds at Jesus’ birth told everyone they saw about the Babe. The apostles after encountering the risen Lord went from cowards to bold proclaimers until their martyrdom. On and On.
To judge if we have really worshipped maybe this should be the test- are we different in a meaningful nad lasting way from our encounter with the Almighty nad Loving God?
Ricky Roubique on Wed, October 06, 2004
The list that the writer gives is nothing more than another attempt at defining “worship,” most of which people understand has more to do with music and liturgies than with the fact that biblical worship has virtually nothing to do with music but rather the degree that Christ lives out His life through us. The writer is simply saying that the way that he and his “church” conducts worship (as if one can truly conduct something that is uniquely spiritual) is the only way. In other words, “church” as usual.
However, because the emphasis in most “churches” is placed squarely upon the quality/style of the music, instead of well-grounded teaching, most parishoners think that unless they partake of what has become a well-orchestrated contemporary Christian concert, they are not worshipping God. In addition, I believe the intention is to plant the mentality in parishoners that the facility/building of “church” is where worship happens.
This is not only unbiblical, it is misrepresentative of the true meaning of the worship that God demands: “spirit and truth” (John 4:24), which speaks of the priority of our communion with God and the degree to which that communion affects the way we live our everyday lives.
Cindy Brown on Wed, October 06, 2004
I am always disturbed by the fact that “worship” and Christians’ opinions of what it is supposed to look like seems to have become the single most divisive topic in the church today, when it should be the driving force of unity among believers!
I am offended by comments which deny the true worship of believers through contemporary choruses, such as the complaint about “I Could Sing of Your Love Forever” above. May we be reminded that in Heaven the angels sing, “Holy, Holy, Holy is the Lord God Almighty, who was and is and is to come” repeatedly?! It is not a matter of whether or not a song conjures up emotion, but whether or not the heart of the worshiper is focused on the Spirit of God and worshiping Him for who He is.
My husband has been a worship leader for over 20 years, and we are both continually confronting this issue of style, rather than the truth of worship. We use contemporary music, traditional music, prayer, communion, multi-media, and whatever means by which people can be reached with the gospel of Christ and ushered into His throneroom, confronted with the Truth that transforms lives.
The real need in the church is for people to have a focus off of self and on Christ and to BE REAL! Let’s quit analyzing the “worship service” and start examining our own heart for worship, as well as lovingly admonishing one another to do the same.
Let’s just love the Lord and love one another. It’s a simple truth. Why do we make it so hard?
Rev RJ on Wed, October 06, 2004
It IS about me—but only after being about God. In other words, we are the ones worshipping and God is the object of that worship. One complaint is that if worship is everything, then it is nothing. Corporate worship in the church is indeed something and something that needs definition and leadership in.
Here is a favorite quote I turned up the other day:
“As a thoughtful gift is a celebration of a birthday, as a special evening out is a celebration of an anniversary, as a warm eulogy is a celebration of a life, as a sexual embrace is a celebration of a marriage—so a worship service is a celebration of God.” —Gordon Borror and Ronald Allen in Worship: Rediscovering the Missing Jewel.
The point is that we are certainly involved and therefore our perspective as people really matters—even though the literal focus is on God, not us.
Alot of the “Acheivement Gospel” points makes sense and may be good ones in some context but really are all just a complaint on how someone else celebrates birthdays. Style is not the issue. Please. Substance.
Here is a test I got from a friend. Ask these two questions to see if you are really putting on a worship service: 1) Is God put on the throne of the universe? (Through song, prayer, etc.?) 2) Is God put on the throne of the worshippers life? (Through confession, service, giving, etc.?).
I hope this helps.
Ricky Roubique on Wed, October 06, 2004
Cindy said: “My husband has been a worship leader for over 20 years, and we are both continually confronting this issue of style, rather than the truth of worship. We use contemporary music, traditional music, prayer, communion, multi-media, and whatever means by which people can be reached with the gospel of Christ and ushered into His throneroom, confronted with the Truth that transforms lives.”
Who appointed these self-proclaimed “worship leaders” that allegedly leads God’s people into “His throneroom,” anyway?
This, like countless man-made “ministry positions” in the Church today, is based on an old-testament practice where a branch of the Levitical priesthood was responsible for leading people in song. However, because we are now all priests before the Lord, we have no need of someone to lead us into God’s throneroom because the Spirit of God is within us and who is responsible for leading us into the truth.
Unfortunately, “worship leaders” are the result of the gospel of consumerism, as are the myriad of programs designed to satisfy people enough to discourage them from going to another fellowship.
Rev RJ on Thu, October 07, 2004
“Unfortunately, “worship leaders” are the result of the gospel of consumerism, as are the myriad of programs designed to satisfy people enough to discourage them from going to another fellowship.”
We need worship leaders. We need teachers. God gifts both and calls both.
Yes, we are all priests, but we have differing gifts. In Exodus the Holy Spirit gifted individuals to be artisans to create the Tabernacle. Today, we have people with certain gifts that help the church worship. Most worship leaders are not self-proclaimed, but called out of the body as area teachers and other leaders.
In reality, it is a call to discipleship—leading people to put Jesus as Lord through the rituals of praise and worship singing, prayers and teaching. The pastor who teaches is a worship leader, then, in the sense of who is leading. The “worship leader” who does the music is just a servant who is gifted to assist in that spiritual endeavor.
Really, the point of style verses substance should be the real arguement, not the professions that have resulted from this arguement.
So, if we past the test of substance, we have freedom in style. Now, the humanism of our worship is present since we are to “make His praise glorious” which means there is a humanistic element in worship.
The limits of this exist when we try to manipulate production and presentation to gain our goals over God’s goals out of the worship experience, whether they be organizational or personal. This is the part of humanism that is depraved, not the fact that we are a part of his whole dialogue of worship. that kind of humanism is good and the effort is the result that Almighty God requires a response.
Chris Fowler on Thu, October 07, 2004
Cindy writes: “I am offended by comments which deny the true worship of believers through contemporary choruses, such as the complaint about “I Could Sing of Your Love Forever” above. May we be reminded that in Heaven the angels sing, “Holy, Holy, Holy is the Lord God Almighty, who was and is and is to come” repeatedly?! It is not a matter of whether or not a song conjures up emotion, but whether or not the heart of the worshiper is focused on the Spirit of God and worshiping Him for who He is.”
I am not at all attacking the praise chourses. But yes I disagree with repetitions that serve only to remove the mind and heart from the process instead of engaging it. I have to say though to compasre “I could sing of your love…” to HOLY HOLY HOLY is the Lord God… seems to stirke the heart of the issue. There is infinite substance to the “Biblical” statement of the angels in Rev 4, whereas the majority of the praise chorus movement is greatly lacking in substance. That was really my main point, not that they are wrong, but lets infuse them with substance and TRUTH that they may have the power to bring us into an encounter with God.
Also, I do not deny emotions as a portion of worship, but they ought not be our sole aim. Instead emotion should be a by product of encountering God.
The greatest opportunity any of us have to truly worship is when the greatest depth of TRUTH about God and His activities is presented. Lets all take a great big step back from our own desires and preferences and just analyze what music we are singing. Just read it, does it carry a depth of knowledge about God or does it focus on I/ME and what I am going to do. I counted a praise song once and it had 15 I references to 3 God references.
It seems worship is as much about what we do Mon-Sat as it is about 1 hour in service. IT is the offering of our entire life as living sacrifices (Rom 12:1-2) in response to what HE has done for us in creation/redemption. Then as we gather on Sun or Wed it can find its expression in a corporate fellowshp setting.
Rev RJ on Thu, October 07, 2004
I think Chris Fowler makes some good points, but really repetition is part of the definition of meditation, so if I repeat “You Are Lord” 1,000 times it is fine, really. What is good for King David and the angels in heaven, I can do, too. In fact, look at the fact in Revelations where we here that there is constant praising. In Isaiah 6 we also have “holy, holy, holy” repeated in infinity.
It is like dissing how some people celebrate their birthdays to say that if the cake comes first, then we are not really celebrating a birthday. Or, in this case, if we are singing not just happy birthday but do it ten times, that we are not really meaning it and because we are emotional and actually enjoy it that we forget it is actually a birthday party.
Let us respond, indeed, with our hearts and minds. Paul says that we should pray with the mind and the spirit and sing with the mind and spirit.
Another thing: if worship is everything we do then it is NOTHING since it loses all distinction. The actual Hebrew words for praise are specific and FULL of emotion. “Hallel” (praise) is a great example since it has the connotation of the emotions of a young lover gushing over his bride. It is not a quite or stoic endeavor. When the bible says to “know” Him more of to “know” God the same words for a man and woman’s union are present.
All this to say that we should not diminish worship and the very human part of it. We are humans, and therefore it is good to be as God made us. Spock is not a good example of a worshipper. Vulcans would lead a very dry liturgy, indeed. Lot of logic, not repetition and NO emotion.
The key is balance and grace in this discussion.
Blessings!
Ricky Roubique on Thu, October 07, 2004
Rev RJ said: “In Exodus…”
This is an unbelievable contention and exactly why I brought up the fact that most so-called “ministry positions” in the Church today are contrived by the thought of man and are based upon an Old Testament mentality.
Please, Rev RJ, find in the NEW TESTAMENT the gift of “leading worship.” You won’t because there’s no need for one to “lead” in worship.
Why? Because worship has nothing to do with music and/or singing. It does, however, have everything to do with the extent to which the Spirit of God expresses the character of the risen Christ in our life through our submission to Him and our death to ourselves.
In essence, it’s about how “dead” we are to ourselves and how alive He is in us. We need no one to “lead” us into worship because there’s already a “direct connection” to God’s heart through the Spirit for the believer. So, what’s the need for a person to do the work that only the Spirit of God can do?
Russell Lacy on Thu, October 07, 2004
Ricky wrote:
“Please, Rev RJ, find in the NEW TESTAMENT the gift of “leading worship.” You won’t because there’s no need for one to “lead” in worship.
Why? Because worship has nothing to do with music and/or singing. It does, however, have everything to do with the extent to which the Spirit of God expresses the character of the risen Christ in our life through our submission to Him and our death to ourselves.”
Just a quick comment…When I felt God call me into a ministry of “leading” in worship, one area of scripture He took me to was Col 3:16…
“Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God.”
I do believe the corporate nature of worship as tied to music fits within the context of this passage. I further believe that if you look at Col. 3:15-17 in its entirety, you very much get a picture of worship that can not, in good health, be soley individualistic.
For what it’s worth…Let’s all praise God together!
Bill Hicks on Thu, October 07, 2004
I am saddened as I read many of the comments above. This continuing battle between contemporary and traditional worship styles is so draining and distracting. Both are good. Both lead worshippers to that personal connection with God. Do we need worship leaders to worship? No. Do we need Choir Directors to Worship? No. Do we need a Pastor to tell us what God’s Word says? No. We can make a personal intimate connection all by ourselves.
BUT… a good pastor, choir, worship team can be effective in preparing and leading a worshippers heart into authentic worship with God.
Being human we all have our faults(sins)and I am thankful for the redeeming blood of Jesus Christ and God’s saving Grace. But this same humanness makes me prefer one style of worhsip over another. It makes me prefer one style of preaching over another. It makes me fall on my knees daily and ask for God’s mercy.
It is all about Jesus. That’s who we are to glorify. Some people need to sing of His love forever to make that connection. Others connect by singing ‘Holy,Holy, Holy.” It doesn’t matter what the song is, or when it was written. What matters is whether it is effective in helping the worshipper worship.
I have always wondered why this area is such a divisive issue in churches. Then I remembered that Lucifer was in charge of Worship before being cast our of heaven. Does he work his way into our lives so that we focus on the issue of worship, instead of worshipping Jesus?
Cindy Brown on Thu, October 07, 2004
Thank you, Bill, and amen! That was my point exactly. Let’s just worship Him!!!
Rev RJ on Thu, October 07, 2004
Ricky—you forgot to read on and quote me here…
“ In reality, it (worship leadership) is a call to discipleship—leading people to put Jesus as Lord through the rituals of praise and worship singing, prayers and teaching. The pastor who teaches is a worship leader, then, in the sense of who is leading. The “worship leader” who does the music is just a servant who is gifted to assist in that spiritual endeavor. “
Please read carefully before responding. Blogging tends to bring out harshness in tone and does not allow a civil and profitable discussion..you can see that we agree at some level. How about his quotes view on worship leadership and WHO is the worship leader?? I’m enjoying this. Are you?
GOD IS GOOD…all the time!
RJ
Ricky Roubique on Thu, October 07, 2004
Russell said: “I do believe the corporate nature of worship as tied to music fits within the context of this passage. I further believe that if you look at Col. 3:15-17 in its entirety, you very much get a picture of worship that can not, in good health, be soley individualistic.”
It’s interesting that you used the passage of Colossians 3:15-17 in bolstering your justification for the position of “worship leader.” Verse 15 clearly states that we are/were “called into one body,” meaning that the responsibility of “admonishing one another” (v. 16) rests upon EVERY member of the Body of Christ and not just a few selected “professionals.”
This admonition is further based upon the requirement that the Word of Christ “richly dwell” in us, the truth of which constantly challenges us to deny ourselves.
One more thing, I have never implied that music in a service is wrong because it is not. However, there has been erroneous teaching and misapplication of scripture to justify the thought that worship is primarily linked to music, which leads to a dependency upon such in order to “enter in.” That is unscriptural and unhealthy.
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