What Style of Worship Is Right?

2 Samuel 6:14-16

14 David, wearing a linen ephod, danced before the Lord with all his might, 15 while he and the entire house of Israel brought up the ark of the Lord with shouts and the sound of trumpets. 16 As the ark of the Lord was entering the City of David, Michal daughter of Saul watched from a window. And when she saw King David leaping and dancing before the Lord, she despised him in her heart.

Friday we wrote about our attitude in worship and quoted this passage dealing with David’s attitude as he worshiped God.  He was not concerned with what his wife thought or his subjects. He was concerned only with presenting himself before God.  Style was not something he worried about either.  Today we want to write about styles of worship.  Which style is right?  Before you think traditional or contemporary or gospel or charismatic or some other style it right or the best – read the rest of this article.  Thanks!

For some the right style of worship means hymns and quiet time – for some the right style means psalms and songs sung with vigor and excitement to a quicker beat – for some the right style of worship might mean a Sanctuary and tradition – for some it might mean comfortable setting and contemporary.  The style is less important to me – rather that our attitude be such that we come together to worship God not glorify ourselves or our desires/preferences as we wrote on Friday.

Style or worship does come into play – at least in corporate worship – and many churches are facing this subject in different ways these days.  One place where style comes into play is when it doesn’t fit the target audience any longer.  For instance – a traditional worship in a Sanctuary has long been a style of worship that reached many and still does today.  A number of young adults are coming back to traditional worship settings.  But it is also true that different styles of worship reach the unchurched – and the unchurched should ALWAYS be high on our radar.  We are – after all – to be reaching the lost with Jesus with at least the same vigor as we build up the saints who already know Jesus!  I am not talking about entertainment value here – but rather a style and presentation of the Gospel that will reach those who do not have a church background.  That may look somewhat different from many churches today.  It may look different than the style that meets your needs or desires.

It may not be practical for all churches – but I am an advocate of churches offering a mixture of worship styles to reach the whole of their communities for Jesus.  I realize that we cannot be all things to all people – but there is a lost community out there my friends.  When Paul took the Good News about Jesus to the Gentiles – remember his battles with Peter and other traditionalists that wanted Gentiles to become Jews before they could become Christians.  Paul believed that is was more important to present Christ rather than a tradition.  What do you think?  Should we stick with what works for us rather than what might reach the lost?

In many cases majorities of our communities – and a large number of our young adults – are unchurched.  What if our attitude in worship was all about God and all about offering a place to worship God that would touch the hearts and minds of all people – rather than trying to conform people into a pattern of worship?  What if authenticity in worship were more important than style?  Maybe this is accomplished by offering several services.  Maybe this is accomplished by offering elements of worship that differ in style in the same service.  For example – Mt. Oak Fellowship is growing to be a very multi-ethnic congregation and a very diverse congregation in expressed tastes in worship styles.  What if at our two current worship services we added elements of charismatic – gospel – and liturgical worship – just to mention a few alternatives to traditional and contemporary worship styles?  Could this happen in our current worship services or would some be offended/upset?  I’m not speaking about raising hands in worship folks – It is much more than this.  What if someone was at the altar or cross and was slain in the Spirit one morning?  What if we sang some spirituals in our worship services from time to time?  How would the contemporary service react to some liturgy in worship on occasion?  What if we really tried to reach out and present Jesus in differing ways?

Some say that blended worship doesn’t work – I’ve heard that argument for decades.  This statement might be true because in blended worship someone will always be unhappy with an element that doesn’t fit their liking – because our attitudes are askew.  It doesn’t work when those who gather for worship are about what pleases them rather than what pleases God.   Would it please God to have all people worshiping together?  I think so!  What if we had an interpreter for our growing Hispanic population?  Or for the deaf community?  Would that take away from your ability to worship God?  What if we brought in symbols of worship that didn’t fit the box of what worship is for you – or even some art or symbols that reflected a diverse ethnicity in our congregation?  What if we didn’t follow a standard order of worship?  Just some thoughts.  What do you think?

The easy answer from the pew is to offer these differences at different services.  As long as you don’t change MY service – you can do whatever you want.  But adding services takes more hours – more staff – more volunteers – more funds.  It also keeps us segregated – by style of worship – by ethnicity possibly – by expressions of worship.  Aren’t we worshiping the same God?  What if we could all just get along and worship – with various styles – in the same service?  Do we think worship in heaven will be segregated by styles?

I have lived long enough to have witnessed elements of several local churches break off/leave a community of faith because the way they wanted to worship God was not accepted by or even tolerated by the majority or an outspoken minority.  I ran into a former member of our church while visiting a different church during my leave.  I was told they left our faith community because they wanted more excitement – emotion in worship.  Ouch – that hurt!

Here’s a question for us to consider – what if many of our churches are dying in the United Methodist Church because we are unwilling to offer Jesus in a fresh way that might just reach the unchurched in our communities – in our own families?  Those of you who know me – know I’m not talking about a new theology – I’m talking about a fresh new way to present the Truth!  I’m a third generation Methodist pastor and I preach the same gospel truth that my grandfather preached – but the way he reached his congregation is not the way I strive to reach the congregation I serve.  Are we striving to reach all we can for Jesus or just those who fit into the box we have created in our worship services?

Just something to think about today as you go on your way.

I’ve added a third part to this short series of devotional thoughts coming on Tuesday.  It will be titled “Is Worship About Us Too?”

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What Is Our Attitude When We Come To Worship?

Psalm 95:6-7

6 Come, let us bow down in worship, let us kneel before the Lord our Maker; 7 for he is our God and we are the people of his pasture, the flock under his care. Today, if you hear his voice,

When I read this passage this week it made me think of all of the worship services I have attended and participated in over the years. I thought of all the worship committee meetings – e-mails – calls – and notes sent in over the years with comments about worship. And I started to wonder if we really grasp what worship is – really.

Far too often some folks think worship is about them. We want our favorite songs – or at least music we like – or the pastor to be dressed a certain way – or the service to be a certain length – or the sermon to reach us – feed us – each week. Some will say things like I’m not being fed in worship or I’m not getting anything out of the service. I’m sure there are many other thoughts that run through folks’ minds. What are some that you have thought or heard?

This may be a new thought to some but worship isn’t about us – at least not primarily. Worship is mostly about God – coming before God to give God glory – honor and praise. Today’s passage says – Come, let us bow down in worship, let us kneel before the Lord our Maker; for he is our God and we are the people of his pasture, the flock under his care. When was the last time you came to church with the mindset you were there to worship God? I mean to really bow down before God and give God your total heart – mind and soul.

Every so often someone will go to the cross in the worship center and lie prostrate before the Lord – humbling themselves in God’s presence. I wonder how many people think – wow – is that crazy or what? Yet we shouldn’t be in worship to worry about what others do or think. If we feel like going to the cross or to the altar or to kneel or stand when others aren’t – shouldn’t we feel like we can do this?

Jesus said this about worship – John 4:24 – God is spirit, and his worshipers must worship in spirit and in truth.

David displayed an attitude we should have in worship – not caring what others thought. 2 Samuel 6:14-16 – 14 David, wearing a linen ephod, danced before the Lord with all his might, 15 while he and the entire house of Israel brought up the ark of the Lord with shouts and the sound of trumpets. 16 As the ark of the Lord was entering the City of David, Michal daughter of Saul watched from a window. And when she saw King David leaping and dancing before the Lord, she despised him in her heart.

Now before someone reads into this devotional thought – I am not suggesting a style of worship but rather an attitude in worship. Our attitude should be about presenting ourselves before God to worship God and praise God! Give God our all! To be drawn deeper into God’s presence.

I don’t suggest I have the answers. I do believe that we should check our attitudes when we come to worship. We should think about God when we worship and we should also strive to think of those who do not have what we have – a relationship with God.

Just something to think about today as you go on your way.

Monday we will take a look at styles of worship and ask – Which Style of Worship Is Right?  On Tuesday we will ask – Is Worship About Us Too?

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Stepping Out – by Ben Holmes – Youth Intern at Mt. Oak

Stepping Out

The walls of the church were not designed to keep the love of Christ from getting out.  As Christians, we need to step outside the walls and walk like Jesus did. We need to be “ambassadors of Christ.” (2 Corinthians 5:20)

I think a big part of being more Christ-like is realizing that God is everywhere all the time. Of course we know the Holy Spirit is evident on Sunday mornings as Pastor Ray delivers the message and as the bands lead us in worship. But as Christians, we need to understand that God is always moving in and around us whether we are at the supermarket, our house, or even at work. Our God is mighty and is always present even if we choose to ignore Him. We cannot confine God to the four walls of the church. We need to allow his everlasting light to shine through us and onto those who don’t know Him.

We, as Christians, need to strap up, step outside the church, and live like Christ lived. We need to reach the lost. Not because it’s what the church is doing, but because it is what Christ calls all of us to do. Evangelism is impossible if we do not step outside the church and live to the expectations God has set for us. The church is not a club house we use to stay safe from the lost, but a place to gain encouragement and re-fuel and head out to reach the lost with the love of Christ.

We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. – 2 Corinthians 5:20

Just something to think about today as you go on your way.

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No Matter Who God Uses – or How – We Are to Worship God Alone!

Revelation 19:9-10

9 Then the angel said to me, “Write: ‘Blessed are those who are invited to the wedding supper of the Lamb!’” And he added, “These are the true words of God.” 10 At this I fell at his feet to worship him. But he said to me, “Do not do it! I am a fellow servant with you and with your brothers who hold to the testimony of Jesus. Worship God! For the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy.”

This Sunday – October 10 – just a few days from now – we will begin a sermon series titled – What Is Biblical Worship.  This week we are looking at Scriptures that deal with worship.

Today’s passage is from the story about John and the revelation God was giving him concerning heaven and the things to come – we often call this Eschatology – but only if you are in a room of people who know what that means – lol (the study of end times).

Have you ever been in the presence of someone you thought was all that?  I mean – someone that was top-notch in your eyes – an amazing person?  I will be sharing time with several persons I think highly of this week – Andy Stanley, Craig Groeschel, Francis Chan, Beth Moore, T.D. Jakes, and others.  I will also be with my wife and some other leaders from our church – and I think they are pretty amazing people.  Yet we are not to worship them – we can be awestruck – lol – but must come up way short of worship!

John was just amazed at what the angel of God was showing him and he was – for a moment – caught up in the moment – and bowed to the angel!  The angel was quick to straighten him out – as he said – “Do not do it! I am a fellow servant with you and with your brothers who hold to the testimony of Jesus. Worship God!

Remember – we are to worship God and God alone!

Just something to think about today as you go on your way.

No Matter What God Does in Someone’s Life – Only God is to be Worshiped!

Acts 10:26

But Peter made him get up. “Stand up,” he said, “I am only a man myself.”

This coming Sunday – October 10 – we will begin a sermon series titled – What Is Biblical Worship.  This week we are looking at Scriptures that deal with our worship.

Today’s passage is from the story about a man coming up to Peter and starting to worship him.  Remember the story about Peter having a vision and God sending a Gentile to him?  Here is a wider view of today’s passage.

Acts 10:1-26 – 1 At Caesarea there was a man named Cornelius, a centurion in what was known as the Italian Regiment. 2 He and all his family were devout and God-fearing; he gave generously to those in need and prayed to God regularly. 3 One day at about three in the afternoon he had a vision. He distinctly saw an angel of God, who came to him and said, “Cornelius!” 4 Cornelius stared at him in fear. “What is it, Lord?” he asked. The angel answered, “Your prayers and gifts to the poor have come up as a memorial offering before God. 5 Now send men to Joppa to bring back a man named Simon who is called Peter. 6 He is staying with Simon the tanner, whose house is by the sea.” 7 When the angel who spoke to him had gone, Cornelius called two of his servants and a devout soldier who was one of his attendants. 8 He told them everything that had happened and sent them to Joppa. 9 About noon the following day as they were on their journey and approaching the city, Peter went up on the roof to pray. 10 He became hungry and wanted something to eat, and while the meal was being prepared, he fell into a trance. 11 He saw heaven opened and something like a large sheet being let down to earth by its four corners. 12 It contained all kinds of four-footed animals, as well as reptiles of the earth and birds of the air. 13 Then a voice told him, “Get up, Peter. Kill and eat.” 14 “Surely not, Lord!” Peter replied. “I have never eaten anything impure or unclean.” 15 The voice spoke to him a second time, “Do not call anything impure that God has made clean.” 16 This happened three times, and immediately the sheet was taken back to heaven. 17 While Peter was wondering about the meaning of the vision, the men sent by Cornelius found out where Simon’s house was and stopped at the gate. 18 They called out, asking if Simon who was known as Peter was staying there. 19 While Peter was still thinking about the vision, the Spirit said to him, “Simon, three men are looking for you. 20 So get up and go downstairs. Do not hesitate to go with them, for I have sent them.” 21 Peter went down and said to the men, “I’m the one you’re looking for. Why have you come?” 22 The men replied, “We have come from Cornelius the centurion. He is a righteous and God-fearing man, who is respected by all the Jewish people. A holy angel told him to have you come to his house so that he could hear what you have to say.” 23 Then Peter invited the men into the house to be his guests. The next day Peter started out with them, and some of the brothers from Joppa went along. 24 The following day he arrived in Caesarea. Cornelius was expecting them and had called together his relatives and close friends. 25 As Peter entered the house, Cornelius met him and fell at his feet in reverence. 26 But Peter made him get up. “Stand up,” he said, “I am only a man myself.”

No matter what God accomplishes through you – we are not to worship any man or woman – but God and God alone.  God can be so evident in someone’s life – but God is the only One to be worshiped!

Just something to think about today as you go on your way.

Satan Will Tempt You – He Tempted Jesus – But Stand Strong in Christ!

Matthew 4:10

Jesus said to him, “Away from me, Satan! For it is written: ‘Worship the Lord your God, and serve him only.’ “

Starting this Sunday – October 10 (it will be 10/10/10 by the way) – we will begin a sermon series titled – What Is Biblical Worship.  Yesterday we took a quick look at the Commandment to have no other gods before me. This Commandment reveals God’s desire to be the only god in our life – the only One that we worship.

Today’s passage is from the story about Satan tempting Jesus in the wilderness.  You can find the story in Matthew chapter 4.  Here is a wider view of today’s passage.

Matthew 4:1-10 – 1 Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the desert to be tempted by the devil. 2 After fasting forty days and forty nights, he was hungry. 3 The tempter came to him and said, “If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become bread.” 4 Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Man does not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.’” 5 Then the devil took him to the holy city and had him stand on the highest point of the temple. 6 “If you are the Son of God,” he said, “throw yourself down. For it is written: “‘He will command his angels concerning you, and they will lift you up in their hands, so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.’” 7 Jesus answered him, “It is also written: ‘Do not put the Lord your God to the test.’” 8 Again, the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their splendor. 9 “All this I will give you,” he said, “if you will bow down and worship me.” 10 Jesus said to him, “Away from me, Satan! For it is written: ‘Worship the Lord your God, and serve him only.’”

Satan tried to tempt Jesus with things he thought would be areas of weakness for Jesus.  Satan tried to tempt Jesus with His claim to be God – with the ability to change the elements.  Satan tempted Jesus with a promise from His Father – and His claim that He was the Son of God.  Satan tempted Jesus with power and glory.  Each time Jesus turned Satan aside with Scripture – with the Word of God.

Where does Satan tempt you?  Do you stand strong – most of the time?  Do you know the promises of God found in His Word – so you too can rebuke Satan’s temptations?  No temptation can come your way that God will not give you victory over – if you seek it!

1 Corinthians 10:13 – No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it.

Just something to think about today as you go on your way.

Wednesday Night Worship

I am laying the ground work for starting a worship service on Wednesday nights.  I look for your feedback.  My goal as a pastor is to reach as many people as I can with Jesus.  Although a church can offer more than worship opportunities to reach people with Jesus – a worship service is a doorway that many walk through before trying other avenues.  Church growth experts suggest not waiting until current worship services overflow before beginning new ones.  Some experts suggest that starting a new service will increase the number of people you reach by more than 10% immediately with further growth happening depending on the service.

The new service I am suggesting would run from 7-8:15 pm on Wednesday nights in the Sanctuary.  Families could come for supper at 5:45 and stay for worship at 7 – while little children could attend AWANA and older children could attend worship or our youth small groups.

The target audience would be:

• Folks who find it hard to attend on every or most Sundays
• The young men who play basketball at 8:30
• Parents of children in AWANA
• Parents who bring their youth for small group
• Folks who are looking for an alternative worship or an additional worship during the week
• Folks who might attend other churches on Sunday but are looking for more
• Others in the community who might be drawn to the service

We will need the following help to carry out this service:

• Someone to do the sound and the computer (could be same person).
• Musicians – hopefully a pianist and/or a guitar player and others
• Folks to greet and usher

The plan at this point is to be creative with the sermon time

• I could preach once-a-month
• We could use DVD teachings/preachers from time to time
• We could use lay persons and interns
• We could ask other local pastors to share

I would like to start this service ASAP but do not have a launch date in mind at this time.  I want to see if there is any interest among current members and others who might read this blog page.  A small group of 20-25 might be needed to prime the pump so to speak as we begin this service.

Your thoughts and ideas are welcome.

Who would be willing to support this service as we begin?  Answer the poll on the Wednesday Worship – please.

How Much Snow?

So – how much snow will drop between Tuesday and Wednesday this week and will there be other storms to follow?

We will probably be able to dig out and have worship at Mt. Oak this weekend – unless another storm follows the one coming tonight.

If for some reason it appears that many cannot get out we will do a live broadcast at the 9 am hour and then live worship at 10:30.  Or – we might broadcast the 10:30 service – now there is an indea.

Comments?

Online Worship

Sunday – February 7th – we canceled worship at Mt. Oak – the first time in 30 plus years I have canceled worship at any church I have served.  As a matter of fact, I got two calls from members from previous churches who traveled to Mt. Oak looking for worship – since I never cancel worship – lol.

In place of live worship – we held worship online – so we did worship together.  I imagine we touched more than the 30-60 who would have come out for worship Sunday at the church.  At the peak of the broadcast we had 102 people signed on (and 12 callers on the conference call – although some of these were doubles to the broadcast).  Several folks said they had 4 or more people sitting with them.  If we went with 2.5 as an average per computer we touched 255 people or so Sunday with our online worship service.  Praise the Lord for the opportunity technology allows us.

Most were from Mt. Oak Fellowship but we also had people from Mt. Zion UMC, Back River UMC, Trinity UMC, CCF, and other churches.  We even had someone join us from Michigan and a good conversation developed with this person.  The Body ministered to him as he was searching for a church that taught and preached the Gospel.

How about some feedback from those who tuned in? I know next time we will have two services – one for the call in and one for the broadcast.  We will not do both together again – too much echo and syncing issues.  I also learned about playing videos and keeping my mic off during that time – so my voice won’t be heard singing (ugh) and so it will cut down on echo issues.

Comments on how we can make it better?

Worship Sunday February 7 at 11 am

Worship tomorrow is online or conference call or both.

Online – go to www.ustream.tv and search for “MO Worship”
–If you sign in you can post comments and see others
–You can sign on as a guest without an account – but options are limited

Conference call – 1-219509-8111 (may be long distance for some)
–Participant Code: 6226326

Hope you can join us tomorrow…