2 min. read
I’m so fatigued from the focus of worship for so many US American churches. So I thought I’d weigh in on the point of worship. This will yield a brief theology of worship.
via // http://theocentric.com
Stop Seeking Seekers
Here in 2015 we are still suffering from the “seeker-sensitive” model of worship that renovated church worship several decades ago. We began to focus on which people we wanted our worship to appeal to, instead of directing our worship to God.
It’s not the first time we’ve done this. Our cyclical history of losing our focus in worship began thousands of years ago. YHWH said to our ancient spiritual ancestors:
I hate, I reject your festivals;
I don’t enjoy your joyous assemblies.
If you bring me your entirely burned offerings and gifts of food—
I won’t be pleased;
I won’t even look at your offerings of well-fed animals.
Take away the noise of your songs;
I won’t listen to the melody of your harps.
But let justice roll down like waters,
and righteousness like an ever-flowing stream. (Amos 5.21-24)
Toward a Theology of Worship
Here’s the theology: if our worship isn’t first and always focused on the Triune God we direct it toward, then our worship is worthless.
Of course, “contemporary” churches will say they do it all for the glory of Jesus. And “traditional” churches will say they are simply doing what the liturgy calls for. But the worship planning conversations rarely if ever ask “Will God be pleased with this worship?”
Instead, the questions focus on whether the participants like a certain song or style. Whether unchurched people will be “drawn” to it. When the communication pieces — like those all-important video announcements — will be used.
Occasionally, a worship team might focus on the question, “How are we guiding people into an encounter with God?” But even this question should stem from a bottom line understanding that God will be pleased with our worship.
Our God is seeking a people who strive for justice and righteousness in all of life, so that when we offer worship together to God, God is pleased.
And if you insist on wondering what unchurched “seekers” are seeking, consider that what appeals most is authenticity. We are not authentic when we shape worship to be appealing to people instead of appealing to the very God we worship.
What Is Our Intent In Worship?
This isn’t about content or style. This is about intent. Our intent in worship must always be to please God. If that doesn’t appeal to “seekers” then so be it! Jesus never said, “They will see your awesome, excellent worship and glorify my Father,” but rather, “They will see your good actions and glorify my Father.”
What if we looked at our worship services as times that we simply offer a service of worship to God?
That would mean our discipleship methods must be about sharing life with others and serving the world.
So Tell Me Something
What difficult questions about worship does this post raise?