If you are an avid worshiper of Christ and attend church on a regular basis, you probably already know what a fantastic worship experience is to you, right? Or, maybe you don’t attend church as often as you might because your past worship experiences never hit the mark. Having been to church more than many, I see the gamut and know that even when one person is soaring in their version of a worship service, another may be unaffected. There are many factors that contribute to why there is so much disparity, but I think I found 10 reasons that will aid you in your experience of worship. I hope these help you!
1. Foster good relationships
Nothing sours a worship experience more than when a worshiper has unresolved conflict as they arrive at church—especially so if with a brother or sister in Christ! Jesus said to “leave the altar” and make it right with that brother or sister for a reason. Our horizontal relationships when healthy allow us to be free to worship.
2. Learn the routine
If your church service always starts five minutes late and you keep coming way early, you might be disappointed at why people show up late. Acquire the culture and embrace it! If you were to go to a Brazilian BBQ and complain that they are rude to vegans you miss the point! (No offense to vegans, by the way.)
3. Don’t keep score
One Sunday the message blew you away. Unfortunately, the next week you were not as captivated by the sermon. Keeping score is not the point of a good experience, is it? A shorter memory can then serve you well. What if you simply saw each Sunday as something new to experience rather than something to compare to what you had before?
4. Try something new
We often look at worship like our favorite breakfast cafe where we are regulars. What if you tried something new on the menu? This might mean if you never have sat on the right side of the sanctuary, you choose to sit on the right. Or, what if you stayed for the refreshment time and met a new person? The opportunities to try something “new” abound!
5. Be in a pack
When we come to church “alone” we lose the power of a gathering. While it is good to be in healthy relationships, it is even better to have cohorts who actually desire to experience God in a more meaningful, deeper way. Knowing that a brother or sister is experiencing something more than you inspires you to share in that. Experiences are meant to be shared!
