I in
them and you in me--so that they may be brought to complete unity. Then the
world will know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me.
-- John
17:23
Maybe you grew up attending a traditional church. That might have
meant getting up early on Sunday mornings, eating breakfast with the family and
then rushing to put on your Sunday
best--those clothes and shoes you only wore to church and on very
special occasions. Then it was time to get in the car, drive to the service and
listen to the preacher, choir and organist do their things.
Millions of people feel closer to God in
such a traditional church setting--one often
characterized by stained glass windows, choirs, sanctuaries and sacred organ
music. To them, wearing their Sunday best is yet another way to set apart the
day and glorify God.
Other Christ-followers have a different perspective. Meeting in diverse locations ranging from storefronts to movie theaters, some contend that the formalities of a traditional church service can actually hinder authentic worship. Rather than the traditionalists "being themselves" on Sunday mornings, these critics suggest that there are many who wear a special suit of clothes on one particular day of the week--and all while looking and living quite differently on the other six.
There are valid arguments on both sides of the issue. But regardless of worship-style preference, there's no doubt that we must avoid the trap of paying God mere lip service rather than living out our faith through deeds and lifestyle. Yes, an awe-inspiring church sanctuary can be a place of worship and prayer. But so are the workplace, gym and supermarket. The point is that wherever we go each day, our place of worship should follow.
What type of worship does God honor?
Millions of people feel closer to God in
such a traditional church setting--one often
characterized by stained glass windows, choirs, sanctuaries and sacred organ
music. To them, wearing their Sunday best is yet another way to set apart the
day and glorify God.Other Christ-followers have a different perspective. Meeting in diverse locations ranging from storefronts to movie theaters, some contend that the formalities of a traditional church service can actually hinder authentic worship. Rather than the traditionalists "being themselves" on Sunday mornings, these critics suggest that there are many who wear a special suit of clothes on one particular day of the week--and all while looking and living quite differently on the other six.
There are valid arguments on both sides of the issue. But regardless of worship-style preference, there's no doubt that we must avoid the trap of paying God mere lip service rather than living out our faith through deeds and lifestyle. Yes, an awe-inspiring church sanctuary can be a place of worship and prayer. But so are the workplace, gym and supermarket. The point is that wherever we go each day, our place of worship should follow.
What type of worship does God honor?
Among other things, it generally consists of singing praise songs,
teaching God's lessons through the Bible, and acknowledging how he blesses our
lives through the revelation of his son, Jesus Christ. We also seek forgiveness
for how we've fallen short of our Creator's standards, and we celebrate
Christ's death and resurrection on our behalf through that symbolic meal called
Communion or
The Lord's Supper.
And it doesn't end there. Outside of the weekly service, we must also worship
God in unity by being Jesus' hands, feet and eyes in our community. We should
likewise do our 9:00 AM-5:00 PM jobs as if God--rather than a human being--were
our boss.
Christ-followers might not agree on every aspect of worship, but
there's one thing that should always make us one: Christ himself. The Apostle Paul makes the
case through his letter to the church in Ephesus:
"Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to one hope when you were called; one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all."
"Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to one hope when you were called; one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all."
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