Romans 12:1-5
The continued emphasis and focus on worship style these past few decades is disheartening. It seems worship has become the ultimate "selfie". We would not admit to leaving God out of our Sunday morning gatherings, but sometimes we put Him in second place behind our style preferences. We are not worshipping as "one body" as the scripture reference says, but rather as strangers lined up at a breakfast buffet waiting to be pleased.
Among the Christian community, churches are identified more by their worship style than almost any other criteria. Doctrine, faith statement, ministry and identification as the body of Christ are taking second place to worship style identifications such as traditional, contemporary or blended.
We are not worshipping together. Not only have we divided ourselves, but we seem alienated within our own venues. We sprinkle ourselves out across large worship centers for what appears to be a "siloed" worship time; the "holy separated". The community of encouragement referenced in Colossians 3:16 is weak at best.
The Friar is still holding out for unified worship; a place where God's preferences are more the focus and personal preferences are gradually fading away as we mature and grow in our faith.
Avoiding the style debate, there are practical and physical steps that will gradually grow the UNITY of faith family worship. There are concrete actions that will help balance the focus on God and one another. Here is a list of practical and challenging actions that open a dimension of worship that builds unity and draws us together in the arms of our heavenly Father.
1. Move. Take a new seat in worship. Sit close enough to hear another sing. I realize this is going to be tough for some. Get over yourselves and sing to God.
2. Notice. Look around and notice who is engaged in worship. You might have to work at this. But it is a good exercise learning how to worship physically. When the song says, lift your hands, take them out of our pockets and lift them.
3. Engage. If you find it easier to engage with God than a faith family member this should be a spiritual wakeup call. Engaging with God and our faith family can be challenging. Introduce yourself to someone nearby; tell them you are thanking God for them (and then do it); ask if there is something you can pray with them about or praise with them about (and do it).
4. Benediction. Share a word of closing with those around you at the end of worship. "Peace to you"; "I will pray for....” (what they requested); "It was good to worship with you today. Will you worship with me next Sunday at this time?"; etc.
These practical steps will change your worship and begin to grow unity in your faith family worship, regardless of the style.
The Friar
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