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“NON-BORING WORSHIP DESIGNED TO PLEASE”
NON-BORING WORSHIP DESIGNED TO PLEASE
Marvin L. Weir
Where are the Scriptures for theatrical dramas, inspirational concerts, and dancing, shouting, and swaying to the beat instrumental music?
The Saturday, February 15, 2003 Dallas Morning News featured an article by Berta Delgado in the “Religious” section entitled “Lights, camera, worship.” The caption noted that “high- tech wizardry is as expected at these churches as pipe organs are at others.” The article notes that “many houses of worship now have somewhat the look and feel of performing arts centers,” and then gives the following information regarding the Fellowship Church in Grapevine.
The church, which draws 16,000 people or more, has a sanctuary with comfortable, theater-style seating. The stage can be changed, even moved around to suit any message the Rev. Ed Young, Jr., senior pastor, is delivering. (Once, while preaching about God’s armor, he sat in an Army tank). The stage also has a ramp, so Mr. Young can walk down among the congregation while preaching... “Most people think church is boring, that it’s something they have to suffer through and don’t really want to be a part of,” said the Rev. Rob Johnson, Fellowship’s worship pastor. “We’re trying to tell them we’re excited that we live in our faith. God is the author of all creativity. He gives us all these wonderful things, so use them” ... “Media Ministry” members, working in a control room decked out with $800,000 worth of electronic equipment, also roll video onto the giant screens.
Craig Janssen, co-founder of Addison-based Acoustic Dimensions, called the technology trend in the church “a steamroller.” His company says a basic system runs around $500,000. A system to accommodate concerts and other productions costs about $1 million. But many churches spend was beyond that. “It’s not a luxury anymore, it’s expected,” he said.
It is obvious that modern, man-made worship is designed to appeal to one’s emotions and feelings rather than one’s reasoning and intellect. The statement that “most people think church is boring, that it’s something they have to suffer through and don’t really want to be a part of” is indicative of man’s distorted view of worship.
The Bible makes it clear that God is to be the object of one’s worship. The Scriptures declare, “Then saith Jesus unto him, Get thee hence, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve” (Matt. 4:10). What is sad it that denominational ideals and innovations have more influence over men than the Holy Scriptures!
Brethren, it is not whether I am pleased with worship, but whether God is pleased with worship! God is only pleased when one worships “in spirit and in truth” (John 4:24). Christ has made clear His disdain for those who give lip-worship while their heart is far from Him. He says, “But in vain do they worship me, teaching as their doctrines the precepts of men” (Matt. 15:8-9).
Most people today believe that if they are happy with their worship that God is happy with their worship. Not so! The Creator has the right to demand how His creatures worship Him. Scriptural worship will never be “boring” to those who truly love and appreciate God.
Mr. Johnson stated, “He [God] gives us all these wonderful things, so use them.” Thus, folks who possess certain objects and have certain talents convince themselves that these objects and talents should be used in worship to God. By whose authority is anything and everything to be used in worship to God? Only the Bible tells us how we are to worship God! There is Scripture for preaching and teaching (Acts 2:42; 20:7), praying (Acts 2:42), the Lord’s supper (Acts 2:42; 1 Cor. 11:20ff) and giving as we have prospered (1 Cor. 16:1-2). Where are the Scriptures for theatrical dramas, inspirational concerts, and dancing, shouting, and swaying to the beat instrumental music?
In the same paper’s religious section, Kristen Holland titled her article, “Place of Worship — Greenville Avenue Church of Christ.” She declares that the junior high students of this congregation in Allen spend a great deal of their time “clowning around.” The article states:
In the past year, the G. O. Clowns have performed at church events, birthday parties and hospitals...and also assisted My Guardian Angels in the 2002 Allen Christmas parade. For a donation of $25 and two week’s notice, the ensemble will schedule a “drive-by clowning,” with less-than-stellar singing and colorful balloons...The program is still in its formative stages, but church leaders (emph. MLW) say it’s full smiles ahead for the innovative ministry. “We know that the kids enjoy it,” said Galon Jones, minister of congregational care.
You will notice that this “program” belongs to the Greenville Oaks church of Christ and the congregation’s leaders admit it is only in its “formative stages.” “Minister of congregational care (emph. MLW) is a misnomer if this is an example of their “caring” for the congregation. Wonder if the chief concern of Paul and the apostles was “non-boring worship” and “innovative ministries?” I think not!
