What seems to be the biggest issue among modern church-goers? Worship style.
More and more people are bouncing from church to church trying to find one that "worships" their way.
A local church here has been created, based on all the information I have, because members from a few churches wanted less formality and more modern praise band and chorus-singing programs - and casual dress.
Another church lost younger members who were involved in the praise band there because they felt unappreciated and underused. They felt the worship style of that church was too traditional and not compatible with their tastes in music.
I worry about that. I love enthusiastic singing. Nobody enjoys good instrumentation being used in worship than I. Traditional hymns and gospel songs will NEVER go completely out of style, as far as I'm concerned, but the singing of simpler chorus can allow the congregation to have liberty to express their praise without restrictions like holding a hymnal. And I love the choruses and the more modern musical genres most often involved.
The main issue needs to be the desire to worship rather than is the music program a style that a person enjoys. Worship is certainly about more than a style, but there are styles enough to satisfy everyone. I believe too many people worry about style more than they spend time worshipping.
Praise and worship is about MUCH more than music. I would, however, like to spend some time discussing the common definition of worship - though in terms that might be unfamiliar with most.
Praise and worship are defined in scripture. God's word informs His people; we have no excuse for NOT worshipping or not knowing how to worship.
In the Hebrew language are seven words used in the Bible that are translated "praise" in English. From the first word, "halal," we derive the word "hallelujah."
In my church, and many others I've have attended, you won't hear people crying, "Hallelujah!" very often. Many members don't know what they're saying if they do. It might be shouted less often if they did.
Psalm 113:1: "Praise (halal) the Lord! Praise (halal), O servants of the Lord, praise (halal) the name of the Lord!"
Psalm 150:1: "Praise (halal) the Lord! Praise (halal) God in his sanctuary; praise (hala) Him in His mighty firmament!"
The Hebrew word tells God's people to "be clear, to shine, to boast, show, to rave,
celebrate, to be clamorously foolish."
Clamorously foolish? Rave? Boast? Too few of us are even doing something that could be called "celebration." It's no wonder we are not "shining" and making it "clear" to those observing us who our God is or that His people are convinced that He is worthy of praise.
Have you ever heard a child boast, "My daddy is stronger than your daddy"? Have you ever heard a young girl (and even a young boy) rave about their new loved one? It might sound foolish, but you understand their enthusiasm. You jaded older folks are jealous that they can still feel things so strongly and be uninhibited in their praise.
We, who call ourselves the "people of God," have more reason to express such uninhibited enthusiastic praise of GOD than any young lover or child. He is God. He has provided us salvation through Jesus Christ so that we may have an intimate relationship with Him. He has given to us life abundant and eternal.
God is worthy of our "halal!"
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