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In my Organized Church ponderings I issued the following statement:
I am tired…..of seeing people plop themselves down in church and seemingly state in their actions “Please Me”. Where in the Bible do we see worship is pleasing and focused on men? Read Isaiah 6 and then dare to plop down again.
A period of time has elapsed but my thoughts are still on why do we allow worship to be so man-centered than God-centered? Over the course of the past few days a thought from one of my first classes at Luther Rice came to mind – one that I believe can help with this answer. In my Church Administration class the professor asked the following question in the first week of class: In ministry which comes first, being or doing? This brought up a healthy debate, with interesting points on both sides. But let’s place this question in the context of worship.
Why is it important to place the question of being vs. doing? Can we argue that both are needed for true, authenic worship? Well – it depends on whom you ask. I have come to see, over the years, the fact that most people do worship (as an action) and like to be worshipped (the true man-centered worship time!). What is the correct way to look at worship – being, doing – and in what order?
In my opinion (and I am sure this is open to debate) we must realize that true worship only comes when we first exhibit true fruits of being a Christian. How can we hope to enter into a worship atmosphere when we do not even have an idea or distinction as to who is the object of our worship? Only when we recognize that our relationship to God, through the grace and mercy of the death and resurrection of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, sets the stage for proper worship. Then this brings each believer to the doing portion of the question. Yet, we must realize that our doing is simply surrendering and submitting to the will of God. We also must realize that today’s church loves to place a time and day stamp on worship (Come join us for worship Sundays at 11:00 am) when the true worship is done 24/7!
Yes – Sundays are reserved for a particular purpose – which should be a celebration of God’s blessings throughout the previous week and to prepare each believer for the coming week. I think we can all agree on that fact. Yet many ”Christians” leave their worship at the doors to the church. Casting Crowns, in their newest album The Altar and the Door, speak about this in the song also titled The Altar and the Door.
In my original ponderings I mentioned Isaiah 6, simply because it illustrates worship in a mighty way. In verses 1-8 we see the being vs. doing. Many of us could point to the common phrase Isaiah used ”Lord, Here I am, Send Me!” as doing – but I believe we can only use this after taking the entire passage in the correct context. This scripture passage clearly illustrates being, then doing. Isaiah is clearly shown experiencing worship before he utters this phrase. He recognizes his place and purpose standing before the glory of God. Each of us should realize that, in this passage, even the angels shield themselves from God’s glory. This passage then shows Isaiah as recognizing who is he as a sinner by wanting to purge himself of his sin – why? I believe that reveled in the glory of God like a mirror Isaiah is made aware of his sin and seeks repentence. Worship is truly recognizing who we are (being) and then what are we going to do about it (doing).
When people in our churches recognize these facts then I believe we will see true revival in the church. If we can get past the “please me” to a “please Him” mode we will see change in personal lives and then in each of our churches.
To be or To do? Is that the question? What are your thoughts?
God Bless, Sam.
This past weekend I had the pleasure of going to Amanda’s first marching band competition. Amanda is a 9th grade Alto Saxophone player in the York Comprehensive High School Cougar Band (www.cougarband.com). And, like everything else, I couldn’t sit on the sidelines and watch so I was a part of the pit crew. What is the pit crew? The group of men and women who make sure that when the band gets off the bus that they have everything they need and then make sure that all the pieces come together on and off the field.
I have watched the band perform since July and Saturday marked the first time the band marched in competition. York was in a class of 3 bands and they placed 2nd – overall they placed 6th. Not bad for their first performance – and our pit crew actually won the pit crew award for our class as well (which means that we did not kill anyone or break anything I guess).
I marched in the band in high school – we literally and physically stunk. We did not receive a superior rating until the next to last competition of my senior year. That is why it is rewarding to watch Amanda and the Cougar Band place so high and look towards greater accomplishments this year. So I have experienced the highs and lows of marching band.
As I thought about this I was reminded of a song by Casting Crowns (And Now My Lifesong Sings). It speaks of our testimony. You know – many of us make the statement “I have no testimony” but that is incorrect. We have a testimony – either good or bad. Let me use an illustration from Saturday night to explain this point.
As York was preparing to come on the field it was my responsibility to make sure 3 props (“Clouds”) were placed correctly on the field. I then took my position behind the band as they came on the field and while they performed – so I could then run and get the props off the field (a lot of FUN!). Well, after placing the props, I exited the field. The band before us was leaving so I made eye contact with a few of the pit crew and band members and I simply said to them “Great Job”. Why? Well – they had some cool props but also because they put the same effort into their jobs as we did so why not encourage them.
Well – on the way home with Amanda, Taylor, and Britney May (Amanda’s friend from band) we got to talking about the performance and they said that a few members of the same band leaving the field made comments like “Good luck – you’ll need it”. Sad – isn’t it! Well – we beat them so that is OK.
Our testimony is just like this illustration – we can have a good testimony and encourage others, sharing the good news, or we can have a bad testimony and discourage others around us. What is similiar in both – we come from the same experience.
As believers, we who have trusted Jesus Christ and to whom the Holy Spirit resides and dwells within us, we have a choice of exhibiting a good or bad testimony.
What do our family and friends, our co-workers, and our neighbors say is our testimony? Do we exhibit a life that shows who we are as Christians – and, no, I am not talking about the “church house” rule. You know, “Well – I go to church house whenever the doors are opened!”. That’s great – but if that is our testimony then those around us will be discouraged because you don’t practice what you do at church 24/7. We need more Monday – Saturday Christians than Sunday morning Christians.
Is our testimony for those around us a good one or a bad one?
God Bless, Sam.
