conditional worship
Written on 6/12/2008 11:20:00 AM by Miles
Have you ever said this? "I just can’t worship with that kind of music."
If you haven’t said it, I’m sure you’ve heard it, especially, if you are a worship leader. I’m pretty sure I’ve said this before. I know I’ve definitely thought it. I love a lot of the music of today. I especially love acoustic-driven music that is not polished, but that has a raw quality to it. So, when I have gone to tradtional worship services in the past, it’s been a challenge for me to worship God in that setting. If you’re thinking that I’m unspiritual because of this, you are very right to think it. I visited a traditional(in regards to worship music) church service a couple of years ago in Arizona when God opened my eyes to this. I was sitting there during the music and thinking about how I would do the song differently, and God basically slapped me in the face. I felt Him say to me, "Josh, worship me. If you can’t worship me with this music, don’t bother worshipping me with your music." I walked away from that a changed person and worship leader. I wonder about our current church now. I've not heard testimonies of people who have worshipped and connected with God for the first time, even though they don’t really prefer the music style that we bring. That's not saying that it hasn't happened...I just don't know for sure. If that is happening, then I would consider that aspect of our services as success. I mean, that is what it's all about. It’s not about the methods or styles in which we minister and praise. It’s about the Holy Spirit speaking to us and guiding us to the Father.
I feel that there is a danger that is gaining momentum in our Christian culture. I’m afraid that the younger generations could be/are being affected by this danger. The danger is conditional worship. It’s where worship only happens when the lights go off and the cool loops or videos play, or not until the big build after the bridge of the song. For the record, these things are not bad ideas at all. When used properly, there are so many things that can enhance the experience and touch the senses, but we need balance. We need to learn and disciple our churches to worship God no matter what the circumstances. We need to learn to worship God under a tone-deaf worship leader or an organ. We need to learn to worship God without music. And I'm not saying "we" here to be condescending at all. I am included in that word each time it's used for sure.
Paul said in Colossians 2:16 - "So don’t put up with anyone pressuring you in details
To come to church and expect God to do something big corporately, is a growth in maturity in our worship. There are too many people that are coming inspecting, instead of expecting. I remember going to a student conference with my brother-in-law and his youth group where there were approx 10,000 students worshipping in a massive arena. That was amazing, but, for me, it wasn’t the best part of the weekend. The best part was going to a traditional worship service the next day and worshipping the same God with a different song. I mean, we went from Chris Tomlin and Switchfoot to hymn books, folks. That’s the best thing we could learn that weekend. That no matter what the conditions, no matter what the style, and no matter what the song, God is God outside of our preferences.
of diet, worship services, or holy days. All those things are mere shadows cast
before what was to come; the substance is Christ." (The Message)
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