Because our pastors and worship teams are expected to "give us something good", they do not often want to leave the tried and true path of teaching in church. I am told that all these ideas can work in a small group setting. But I see all the empty faces watching the stage when I go to church and know that many are wanting something more. I am participating in a very small church. I get to lead the singing because no one else wants to. I encourage input constantly. Slowly we are getting out of 'me running the show' and into corporate worship where others contribute as the Spirit leads. The pastor loves to teach so I try not to impose on him. I have asked if I could pray in tongues. As nervous as the group is about it, there have been some powerful interpretations, but I do not want to insist on doing this every week either. I would love to have a place to try out these ideas, but I have no authority as a layperson.
Hello Christy, I think you have found the heart of worship! If we all sing together, we are participating in worship. If we listen to worship music, we rest in the worship. We can rest in the worship where ever we are because we have it all around us. I can rest in the words and beautiful music as I drive in my car, or as I rest in my living room. It is at church or small groups that I have the opportunity to present to God my gift of worship. I am not letting a professional worship for me, I am actively offering and singing out my praise of the God I serve.
I also think we have made our worship leaders into performers. They no longer encourage our voices to be raised in song together because we are forcing them to be better than the worship leaders at other churches. The sound systems and the instruments drown out the congregation. That is why we do not participate. We do not have a voice. Does God want to hear perfect music in his churches, or does he want to hear the imperfect voices of his people raised in song to him? I struggle with this so much, and am told so often how wrong I am. I am told to be an obedient pew-sitter and let the professionals do my praising for me. Keep preaching this, Christy!
Posted in: Instead of Church
Because our pastors and worship teams are expected to "give us something good", they do not often want to leave the tried and true path of teaching in church. I am told that all these ideas can work in a small group setting. But I see all the empty faces watching the stage when I go to church and know that many are wanting something more. I am participating in a very small church. I get to lead the singing because no one else wants to. I encourage input constantly. Slowly we are getting out of 'me running the show' and into corporate worship where others contribute as the Spirit leads. The pastor loves to teach so I try not to impose on him. I have asked if I could pray in tongues. As nervous as the group is about it, there have been some powerful interpretations, but I do not want to insist on doing this every week either. I would love to have a place to try out these ideas, but I have no authority as a layperson.
Posted in: Participation Is Everything
Hello Christy, I think you have found the heart of worship! If we all sing together, we are participating in worship. If we listen to worship music, we rest in the worship. We can rest in the worship where ever we are because we have it all around us. I can rest in the words and beautiful music as I drive in my car, or as I rest in my living room. It is at church or small groups that I have the opportunity to present to God my gift of worship. I am not letting a professional worship for me, I am actively offering and singing out my praise of the God I serve.
I also think we have made our worship leaders into performers. They no longer encourage our voices to be raised in song together because we are forcing them to be better than the worship leaders at other churches. The sound systems and the instruments drown out the congregation. That is why we do not participate. We do not have a voice. Does God want to hear perfect music in his churches, or does he want to hear the imperfect voices of his people raised in song to him? I struggle with this so much, and am told so often how wrong I am. I am told to be an obedient pew-sitter and let the professionals do my praising for me. Keep preaching this, Christy!