I was recently pointed to the new North Point Community Church online worship experience that begins August 16, 2009. While this is completely out of the box, new and fresh…I wonder what it will mean for the future. More than anything, I wonder what it says about the church Right Now.
I have been noticing a dangerous trend that has been increasingly burdening me: The trend of becoming a spectator church. We’ve become increasingly too focused on the “presentation” of the worship experience, rather than the elements of true worship. When we discuss a church service, we say things like “the preacher was good (or bad)”or “the music was good (or bad)”. We tend to not speak of our hearts being challenged or warmed through the time spent worshiping Our Lord. Now, to be fair—some of this is an expression of the quality of true worship—the preacher sometimes gets the credit for leading an individual through worship and the person speaks of the sermon as the great focal point. However, too much of our experience in modern Worship is emotion based and lacking in substance (theology based).
On the other hand, we have a society that is crying out for relevant relationship and social interaction. People desire to meet and fellowship with God and his people. We get so focused on the “spectacle of worship” that we forget the “act of worship”—which is to the Love God and Love our neighbors. We act out our worship through social interactions.
We have our “greeting time” in church—which I’m honestly getting tired of—because it is truly symbolism over substance. We think that running the church through a gauntlet of hand shaking and smiles is the equivalent to being social. I have plenty of people that are following me on twitter—and I welcome you to follow me. But, do I know them? No, most never even say hello—with a check in the box they sign up to follow my “tweets” and little is done past that point. This is the same thing that happens week after week in the “greeting times” of our churches. We don’t build relationships. We check the box that says; “yes, we are friendly.” We need to find a better way.
We have come a long way in the quality of the production of worship. In many places it is exciting, upbeat, and innovative. I would say however, that we are not focusing on the right areas in our worship.
Modern worship focuses less on the liturgical elements—which is a shame. The liturgical elements bring together the body of Christ. The Lord’s Supper is a picture of this through the communal aspects. The collective readings and participation allows the church to join together in worship—rather than watch it being performed. But, more than anything—this brings the worship to the individual level. It teaches the person to prepare for worship individually, so they are prepared to meet collectively.
How does that affect the social nature of the church? Simple—by truly loving the Lord Our God with all of our mind, heart, and soul—we can’t help to love our neighbor as our self. We need to make the worship personal so that we can share it with the world.
{ 3 comments… read them below or add one }
I agree completely that we (as a society) are moving to spectators in our reaction/expectation of worship services. Our Service Coordinator and Worship Team have done some things to ’shake it up’ recently and it has been great. We’ve cut out special music (it’s not ’special’ if it’s every week, right?) and they’ve done away with the greeting/shaking hands time – rather, they’re encouraging people to get plugged into small group where they can have true fellowship and deep intimacy/friendships.
Amen! This has been a struggle for us in finding a church back in the US. I am such a traditional girl when it comes to my worship. Give me my communion every week, and an uplifiting message to mull over/ponder/digest throughout the week. Don’t make me play nice with others while I am trying to focus on God. I don’t want to shake someone’s hand then have to try to not be obvious while I am using my antibacterial gel. I want to WORSHIP GOD!! I can say hello to my neighbor later. I don’t see anything wrong with churches having traditions, meaning that I like having the same order in our service every week with something special to spice it on special occassions.
On another note: Miss S just saw your picture and asked me about the “policeman” on the computer. I expalined who you are and that you are in the Army. The next question was “What’s the Army?” I answered that it is kind of like the police but that the Army deos a lot more. My answer didn’t quite get it for her. Any suggestions on how to explain that one?
Hello friend and co-laborer in Christ…the worship part of your sermon full of grace and truth>>> I to heard a song one time it went something life all we need is love. true love. compassionate, 1corithians 13 type (that I work so hard to obtain but constantly screw up!)thank God for mercy……but isn’t it so true. love is spelled time,touch,listen, instruct,lead, follow,smile, hello, give,friendship,etc.,etc.,so on. love muchly..FR. goose or Bruce either!