Quite frankly, I am growing very weary reading open letters from all the so-called “Generation whosoever“-ers about how “worship is this,” or “the church is that.” I’m tired of hearing about how “the church is broken—here’s how to fix it,” the “Hymns vs. Modern Worship debate,” or “Blah blah blah blah blah!” In the words of our longtime friend Charlie Brown: AAUGH!
Can we all just stop it? Seriously!
The only thing that matters is what scripture teaches us about worship. It’s not about the lighting: however bright, dark, colorful, simple or fancy. It’s not about the sound: however quiet or loud. It’s not about song choice: whether ancient hymns or modern songs. It’s not about decor: the type of chairs, color of the carpet or paint on the walls. It’s not about fashion: rolled-up jeans, cool hats or trending hairstyles. It’s not about age: Senior Saints or Holy Hipsters. These things have nothing to do with the true meaning of worship.
Worship is about Jesus! And (guess what?) it will ALWAYS be about Jesus!
In Genesis 22:5, Abraham took Isaac to the mountain and told his servants, “Stay here with the donkeys. The boy and I are going to the mountain to worship.” Do you suppose the hottest Jewish worship band (who were the latest trend in worship at the time) were all set up and waiting for Abraham and Issac to arrive? Of course there wasn’t a band up on that mountain! Abraham’s worship had nothing to do with music, a band, hymns, carpet color, fashion choices, generational targeting or the fragrance of the bathroom deodorizer! It had everything to do with Abraham and Isaac being determined (physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually) to worship God.
Let’s stop giving our opinions on how worship needs to be done and start following what scripture tells us worship is!
My opinions about worship, how to fix it, or what songs I like or don’t like, don’t matter. My preferences about carpet color or wall treatments don’t matter. The bathroom scent I prefer doesn’t matter (although I do like a lavender scent!).
Scripture, however, does matter. The Bible is full…FULL of examples of how to worship! Let me offer a few examples for your consideration:
Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. Romans 12:1
Lift up your hands in the sanctuary and praise the Lord. Psalm 134:2
On coming to the house, they saw the child with his mother, Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh. Matthew 2:11
For the director of music. Of the Sons of Korah. A psalm. Clap your hands, all you nations; shout to God with cries of joy. Psalm 47:1
Come, let us sing for joy to the Lord; let us shout aloud to the Rock of our salvation. Psalm 95:1
The common thread of all these examples? Every one of them requires action. We don’t watch worship happen…WE MAKE WORSHIP HAPPEN! But you may be saying, “I don’t worship that way…that’s not my personality.” The moment we make that statement, worship becomes about us and not about Jesus. It’s called a “sacrifice of praise” for a reason!
I am still looking for the scripture that says worship is about the songs, the sound, the lighting or the carpet…and especially the one about the fragrance of the bathroom deodorizer!
Let’s not be that church. Let’s be the church that worships like we’ve been shown in the scriptures!
