Tuesday, October 25, 2011
What is the role of worship in growing a church?
It seems that we spend a great deal of time talking about how what we do-- or don't do -- in worship impacts church growth. Most of the time that discussion is a thinly disguised effort to have worship the way we like it. And don't misunderstand me. I think we should like and enjoy worship when possible. But I am not sure that worship should ever be about me.
Having said that, think about how many times you have know people who "changed churches" because worship was not the way they thought it should be. When churches begin making worship decisions based on who might leave, or how many might come, it is the wrong focus. Do you play defense? What must we not do because this or that group will leave if we do something different? What must we do because this or that group will leave if we don't do something different? Wrong questions. And remember that I think it possible to have a big church just by focusing on what everyone does, or doesn't want, in worship. Keep yours happy. Get the unhappy down the road to come. But is that real growth? Is that how God grows a church?
But worship is important. Yes it is. But we must not construct worship based on us. Worship is about God. So here is the real question that should guide worship decisions for believers: what will motivate us to love and good works. Read Hebrews 10:24 and 25. It seems that our assembly should be one of the things that motivates us to be Jesus in the world we encounter during our daily vocation. The more you focus on loving God, loving your church family, and loving the lost, then the less you will focus on the worship experience. I want people to leave seeking opportunities to do good in this world, not leaving talking just about how good they feel. In fact, if the hour or so you spend in the assembly is the primary source of your worship, your spiritual growth, and your fellowship ... then you have deeper issues than how worship is conducted.
But what about non-believers? Shouldn't we shape our worship services to appeal to them? No. "Seeker friendly" services come much more from the people than the worship process. Non -Christians are drawn to our services because of what the see in us. That is why they visit. So is the point to make them feel comfortable and not threatened? Or is the point to convert them by what we do? Is the point to be sure they realize that our worship is "correct"?
The point of worship for the non-believer is that he might be overwhelmed by the realization that God is among us. That's what Paul says in I Corinthians 14.
What I am thinking is that the key is not so much the how of worship, but the why of worship. And lots of the discussions I hear is about the wrong focus. And any worship discussion that starts with "they won't stay if we do that" is not the right focus. Or "they won't come if we don't do thus and so." "Or we won't reach the lost unless we do this or that." I just think those questions are missing the main point.
So I am all about excellence in worship. Let's just be sure it is for the right audience and the right reason.
Having said that, think about how many times you have know people who "changed churches" because worship was not the way they thought it should be. When churches begin making worship decisions based on who might leave, or how many might come, it is the wrong focus. Do you play defense? What must we not do because this or that group will leave if we do something different? What must we do because this or that group will leave if we don't do something different? Wrong questions. And remember that I think it possible to have a big church just by focusing on what everyone does, or doesn't want, in worship. Keep yours happy. Get the unhappy down the road to come. But is that real growth? Is that how God grows a church?
But worship is important. Yes it is. But we must not construct worship based on us. Worship is about God. So here is the real question that should guide worship decisions for believers: what will motivate us to love and good works. Read Hebrews 10:24 and 25. It seems that our assembly should be one of the things that motivates us to be Jesus in the world we encounter during our daily vocation. The more you focus on loving God, loving your church family, and loving the lost, then the less you will focus on the worship experience. I want people to leave seeking opportunities to do good in this world, not leaving talking just about how good they feel. In fact, if the hour or so you spend in the assembly is the primary source of your worship, your spiritual growth, and your fellowship ... then you have deeper issues than how worship is conducted.
But what about non-believers? Shouldn't we shape our worship services to appeal to them? No. "Seeker friendly" services come much more from the people than the worship process. Non -Christians are drawn to our services because of what the see in us. That is why they visit. So is the point to make them feel comfortable and not threatened? Or is the point to convert them by what we do? Is the point to be sure they realize that our worship is "correct"?
The point of worship for the non-believer is that he might be overwhelmed by the realization that God is among us. That's what Paul says in I Corinthians 14.
What I am thinking is that the key is not so much the how of worship, but the why of worship. And lots of the discussions I hear is about the wrong focus. And any worship discussion that starts with "they won't stay if we do that" is not the right focus. Or "they won't come if we don't do thus and so." "Or we won't reach the lost unless we do this or that." I just think those questions are missing the main point.
So I am all about excellence in worship. Let's just be sure it is for the right audience and the right reason.
