As many of you recall, I spoke of the "what, where, why, how, and who" of praise this morning as found in Psalm 150. And how like God to bless us in all 3 of the services as we made it a priority to focus on Him by praising His name. What a wonderful morning as we experienced worship as both a noun and a verb.
Now here's my question for you. What leads you into the holy of holies? What enables you to praise the Lord? What inhibits you from doing so? What can be done in our worship service to better provide an atmosphere for praise and worship? If you are not from Mulvane, I'm curious how you would answer these questions in your setting. Just click the comment button and offer your thoughts. I'm interested in what you have to say.
10 comments:
Liven up the music! Loved the guitar and song today. When we sing uplifting songs, let's sing them at the proper tempo instead of so slow. Bring in some of the contemporary songs that are based on sound theology and scripture! 'Nuf said.
Paul and I really enjoyed your sermon on Sunday. I especially liked what you had to say about our worship in singing. I think that the angels in heaven sing off key because it doesn't matter to God how you sound. It matters what is in your heart.
I enjoy good ol' gospel music and I enjoy music that has a uplifting tempo. However, in my expenience after all that livly music and hand clapping, when you know you are in God's presence, it can be so powerful to turn off all the music and just lift your voices in a simple slow song. exp: 'I love you, Lord' or 'I have decided to follow Jesus'
Have a good day. Jenna Malanchuk
I'm coming back to the heart of worship and its all about you, its all about you Jesus. Hi Rick - just wanted to comment off the cuff re your "wonderings". Being led into the holy of holies - being enabled to praise - for me it comes down to the heart of worship and the heart of the worship leader being all about Jesus. Keeping up to date re the latest tunes people are hearing on K Love helps but you have to know how to choose what works in your individual situation and/or service and that of course can change from service to service. Its important to stay up to date. Tara and I do first service which is blended so we don't gear up to the edgy things being done in second because that's not our "audience". I use the word audience perhaps wrongly because the last thing we strive for is being seen as performing. OK I am rambling. What inhibits me is seeing performance driven worship. Drives me CRAZY!!! I just can't stress that enough. Also anything suggested from the worship leader that we must "do" or act out while singing and worshipping. Let people alone to do and be what is between them and God. For us a great deal of the atmosphere centers around the tech working correctly. That can shut you down flat and I hate that and we still are having some struggles there but are improving as we go. I can attest that worship leaders with a heart for the worship of Jesus in the midst of the congregation are longing for pastors like you who love Him, teach Him, and lift Him up. That way the music part of the service flows right into the message that also goes the the heart. Blessings as ever.........Shelley
I appreciate the comments so far. Jenna, I agree that there are times we just need to "be still, and know that I am God". Even singing songs acapella can be extremely powerful. To sing a song like "I exalt thee" acapella catapults me into the heavenlies.
Wow! Some good comments and suggestions, ideas, etc. This issue can be as complicated or as simple as one wants to make it. But that's not the goal. The goal is giving glory to God by means of a medium, which can be glorius, or less than desirable, depending on the heart. It can be too loud, too soft, too fast, too slow or just plain too anything to suit some people. (Here again, who are we trying to please???) We attend more of a blended service. We do have two worship bands that trade off. Our leader is 23 and our pianist is 67 or 68. Our goal is to enhance the worship of the people attending so that they may be as encouraged as possible to step into the throne room of our God. Sometimes we have new songs to learn, but we don't want to have all new songs that people aren't familiar with. Sometimes, we bring out an old favorite hymn and add a newer twist to it - people really enjoy that. Sometimes, we read scripture to open a song, or read it between verses of a song. And sometimes, our pastor just stands up after the last song and breaks into song and the congregation joins in - that can be awesome and sweet. Bottom line.....keep your eyes on Jesus. Too cool!!
I like variety in music and form of presentation, keep it mixed up so no one is snoozing. What maters is the truth of the good news is taught and GOD is worshiped and praised.
Diversity.....love that this is available to worhip God and that HE loves me regardless of how I choose to worship HIM.
I praise God through praise songs. I love to "rock out" on my drive to and from work by listening to various artists that God has gifted so well to send HIS message. I can just let it all out (and only God and I can hear) and then turn it down and have quiet time as well!! I feel HIS presence and can just tell HE'S livin it up me!!
Stir it up a little....let's see more congregation involvement. In some of your Sundays you've asked so we would have to answer!
Your messages have truly been great to hear.
After participating in many different styles and ways of worship (contemporary, blended, traditional, monastic, contemplative, singing, praying, reading scripture, experiential stations, silence, solitude, labyrinth, fasting, etc.) I think I've discovered that what brings me to worship is nothing more than the Holy Spirit. I can't plan for it, create it, or manipulate it. Worship happens when my spirit meets God's Spirit in such a way that God's characteristics (holiness, sovereignty, goodness, justice, love, etc) bombard my heart, mind, and soul.
I guess the way I've tried to lead and participate in worship is to find a way to create space for the Holy Spirit to work. Whenever I try to fill time with the things I want and I enjoy, I leave out room for God to work. Essentially what I have to do is knock down the walls of the box that I've given God permission to work in.
Good answer son. And wonderful comments by all of you who have responded. Makes for great discussion. For further comments on music in worship, check out Todd's blog at toddjust.blogspot.com. When it comes down to it, isn't it all praise and worship, no matter the style?
I heard one woman say one time that true worship is top 40 contemporary songs.
I'm sure we have several people who have never listened to those songs. I find the songs I listen to were probably top 40 10 years ago. Does that count?
Actually T. Just said it all. Only the holy spirit can bring all factions, age groups, etc together into true worship. True worship cannot be manufactured.
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