This is more question/poll than a typical post – what happens in a regular church worship service? That may seem like a strange question coming from a pastor, but I think it’s one that deserves some real conversation. I guess there are a couple ways of framing a question like that: purpose, intention, environment.
I’ll start with purpose – what’s the purpose of a worship service? Notice I did not say the purpose of the Church – that’s an entirely different question. Week in and out, individuals join other “like-minded” people for a time of Worship. It may be in a giant cathedral, a rural sanctuary, a living room, storefront or even outdoors. All across the globe, these gatherings take place and in all of them there are probably several similarities. But have you ever wondered why we do that? What is the PURPOSE of gathering for worship?
Is it to take an offering? Sing songs – hymns or choruses? Listen to the Word – Bible and/or sermon (yes, there is a difference)? Is it to get “filled up” so we’re ready to step back into the world around us? Is it something more?
Next question – no matter what the answer to the purpose question above, does it matter how we worship? I don’t mean the style or preference. I’ve longed argued that worship style has little to do with real worship – worship could and should happen regardless of style or preference (more on that another time). When I say how we worship, I mean what does it take to worship? Is there something we need to have with us? Is there an attitude that accompanies worship? Do I need to prepare for it? If I don’t get goosebumps during the worship gathering, did I not worship?
Final question – does environment matter when it comes to worshipping? I don’t mean the drive alone in your car with 10,000 Reasons blaring, but the worship setting when we gather as a community? Does space matter? Visuals? Smells? The Dad who nods off as soon as the pastoral prayer begins? What does an environment need to have, to be free of?
I ask these questions and I hope, reader, that you’ll give some thought. Don’t just reply, but give them some thought. I “coined” a phrase a couple years accidentally – “When you miss worship, You MISS WORSHIP.” My thought is that if this gathering matters as much as many of us believe it does, what happens when we miss out on being in such an environment? I guess that’s one more question for this post.
Looking forward to hearing your thoughts – feel free to share these questions with your small group. There may be something transformational that can happen the next time You join for worship.
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Okay, my “answer(s)” is/are several “re’s.” They are renewal, refocus, reconnection, recommitment, refreshment and, yes, reward. The importance of church worship is that it provides both the spiritual guidance to allow these intangible necessities to occur and also the physical venue to allow Christians to gather together for that purpose. “Old Nick” loves to subvert Christian intentions by the technique of divide and conquer. Christian community through the church, and most notably through worship there, is one of the best defenses against this.
What is the purpose of a worship service?
For me, a worship service is literally that; I am there to actively worship God. I sing my heart out, I listen intensely to all the speakers, I tell God thanks and I let him know what I want during prayer time. I am engaged. It’s a time to focus on God.
How involved are you in worship?
I think being involved is the worship. Sing quietly, pray, sing passionately, get goosebumps, sit still and nod: whatever works. I think this is connected to the next question.
What needs to be included and excluded?
Format of worship is a complex formula. There is no one way that “works.” I think the most important part is expectation. Go with whatever facilitates an expectation of meeting God. There are any number of things that have proven over time to get humans “in the mood” to meet God. God is everywhere so we can meet him anywhere so the responsibility is on the individual. On the other hand, even though you can meet God in your own backyard, if you take the time to get together with other people who are also expecting to meet God, there is a greater chance that you all will. So, a church is important. Of course, sometimes God breaks in on whatever you are doing and when He does form and schedule don’t matter at all! God, self, and others all have a role to play. What do you miss when you miss?
You miss that confirmation of your intentions. For example this past Sunday we talked about Christian communities under persecution in Pakistan, Egypt, Tanzania and Afghanistan. Those people, whom I have never met, were on my mind as I worshiped. God is good and knowing there are people worshiping despite persecution makes that all the more evident. I hope those people knowing they have fellow Christians thinking of them. We are all connected with God in this common act of gathering for worship. We see we are not alone on this journey. We go together.