Written by 
In the foreword to David Edwards’ book Worship 365, Sally Morgenthaler has this to say about the nucleus of worship: “(it is) an extravagant, no-holds-barred love relationship with the living God.”
I love that definition. For years I thought of worship as a series of acts on Sunday morning (and usually Sunday evening) that had to be performed just right in order to appease the wrath of an angry God. Perhaps you never thought of it in those terms, but many Christians did (and still do). When worship is defined as a series of acts, then it is necessary to have many serious discussions about what is and isn’t allowed, which worship style is appropriate, how the worshipers must dress, blah, blah, blah. Consequently, worship is a matter of checking off boxes and getting all our doctrinal ducks in a row. Spontaneous emotional expression is seriously frowned upon, anything innovative or non-traditional is unsound, dangerous and even heretical. The “Pattern” must be adhered to at all cost.
But when we see worship as the expression of our love relationship with God, everything changes. All of that legalistic mumbo-jumbo gets tossed out the window and we’re free to express our love and adoration for our Father in wonderful, extravagant ways. The “worship wars” we fought (and are still fighting) will be seen for what they really are – unnecessary, silly, distracting, and sinful.
It is my prayer that we can get past the fussing and fighting over worship styles, song selections, rules and regulations – and get down to the serious business of worshiping our God.
“I’m coming back to the heart of worship
and its all about You, its all about You, Jesus.
I’m sorry, Lord, for the thing I’ve made it
when its all about You, its all about You, Jesus.”
–from “The Heart of Worship” by Matt Redman
Amen Jeff, Amen!
Yes, Jeff! You are right on track here.
Some readers may have a hard time grasping the down side of this post when you say, “For years I thought of worship as a series of acts on Sunday morning (and usually Sunday evening) that had to be performed just right in order to appease the wrath of an angry God.”
In point of fact, about 15 years ago I asked participants in a adult class assembled for Wednesday Bible study why they attended worship. I man in the back of the room spoke up saying, “I attend because I don’t want to go to hell.”
I thought he was joking, at first. Then I realized he was serious. It was a difficult time to get through.
So glad to read where you are headed! God bless you, brother! -bill
Thanks, Jeff. When we read 1 Co. 14 and then compare that experience to what we’ve often seen in legalistic assemblies, we should shudder. We can tend toward such formalism, that there’s no dynamic interaction between worshippers, or between us and God. One excess that we also need to avoid as we run from fomalism and or legalism is the obsession with watching ourselves worship. We seem to be constantly critiquing our worship experiences, rating them as moving, dry, passionate, and all the rest. Maybe we’re not really worshipping until we are unaware of our selves (or at least less aware). That is, when I’m so comfortable that I’m less self-concious about my posture, my voice, etc., and lost in glory of God, then I’m deep into worship. God’s glory will define the experience. I love worship leaders who have the good sense to get out of the way, and just gently make us more God-aware.
You know what a … worship transition … we are in. Thanks, Jeff, for reminding me that while I need to be lovingly aware of how the people around me feel about what I’m doing (clapping or lifting hands, etc.), it is more important that I concentrate on worshiping God with a pure heart. Someimes I WANT to, but I get so nervous about what others will think. It’s not about them or about me. It’s about Him.
You are spot on with this post, bro! I wish you could come to Downtown sometime. The freedom is addicting!
Great post,
DU
Gee, Don. Thanks for reminding me.
I love the idea of freedom, a love relationship with the living God. Recently I thought of “sharing my faith” as “bragging on God” rather than inviting someone to church.
I am so sick of all the doctrinal fighting, sniping, etc. Christianity was never meant to be this difficult or this confining.