Crossing Over

Crossing Over

Exodus 15

There are several parts of worship that are foundational. The cornerstone of good worship is unity. Unified worship happens when there is common focus of the congregants. It is my contention that unity in corporate worship is a rarity in many churches. There are many reasons why, but I want to mention what seem to be the most common challenges to unity and how we can overcome them.

One of my most difficult moments as a worship leader is at the beginning of a worship time. When I step to the platform and look at the gathering, I don’t see unity.  I am no mind reader, but I have gotten to know my church. I know where they are in life. There are some folks you can read like a book.  The congregation (sometimes including myself) has come to worship with those invisible “backpacks” firmly strapped in place carrying “world” stuff into worship. There are people worried about jobs, spouses, health, finances, children, or pending divorces. Some have recently experienced life changing events that include the death of a loved one, loss of a job, financial ruin and on and on. We all carry baggage of some sort, but sometimes we need to lay it down. It’s hard to look up with a hundred pound knapsack on your back. Try it.

Further, gatherings are innately challenging to our focus. Gatherings give us opportunity to look around.  We see others and our minds drift to and fro in ever shifting thoughts. We are glad we aren’t like those and wish we were more like them. Our sizing up will sometimes include the leaders, musicians, worship content, ceiling tile and temperature.  It’s a minefield of distraction, but it doesn’t have to be.

The beginning of worship is a critical moment, because out of the chaos of our world, we are to cross over to something else; something that unifies rather than divides; something that focuses us rather than turns us all directions. It’s tough. It requires preparation by the leader and the people to reach a oneness that I believe happens very rarely in Christian worship.

Though this blog is primarily for the congregant, I want to share a quick thought for the leader. When planning and leading worship, be aware of the need for unity. The content (liturgy) of the worship time needs focus. If the congregation is going to unify and focus, the content is a huge first step. Plan a worship time that can be summarized in a brief phrase.  As an example, “God is holy” is not only a profound biblical truth, but also an appropriate focus of worship that can unify a congregation.  Try not to “meet” people where they are, rather, give them avenues to see God where He is.

The worshipper should also plan. Crossing over the threshold from world to church/worship is not an easy or automatic transition. If one remains focused on themselves and world values, he/she is undermining worship. Worship is a time to turn our attention another direction. As I mentioned in my first blog, worship preparation and the act of worship are much like an orchestra’s rehearsal and performance. Each member comes anticipating something beyond their own sheet of music.

I am reminded of the Israelites crossing the Red Sea and leaving their enemies and former taskmasters behind. Their trek across a dry sea bed (that may have taken more than a day or two) was a shared experience resulting in a unified chorus in Exodus 15. Congregations should focus on common experience to reach unity in worship. As the Israelites walked the path to salvation and viewed the destruction of their enemy (top concern of the day, I would guess) unity happened. 


Their story recounted their salvation. Unity in worship is possible when we remember who God is and what He can do. Cross over.

the friar