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.