Sunday, August 19, 2001
Sunday, August 19, 2001
Now therefore, I pray, pardon my sin, and return with me, so that I may worship the
LORD."
The fastest growing churches today are what you might call, customer-focused. That is, they
survey
the community and determine what the community is looking for and then fashion their church life
accordingly. And we should not criticize that. After all, did not Paul say, "I have become all things
to all people that I might win some . . ."
Others begin with the tradition of the church and center their worship in the time-tested hymns
and
liturgies that grow out of centuries of our finest minds and talents seeking an authentic witness to
the God of the universe. And we should not criticize that either. Christian worship should always
exalt God. Two types of worship. One type is primarily vertical--aimed toward God. The other is
primarily horizontal--designed to accommodate the needs of people.
Think about your reasons for worship and remember to truly worship God.
(1 Samuel 15:25
NRSV)
Let me ask you a rather personal question: Did you go to church this week to worship God? Or
did
you come to have your own personal needs met? Most of you would quickly answer, why both!
But, if you had to make a choice, which way would you lean toward worship as a means of
acknowledging God's power and presence in the world or toward your own spiritual hunger? The
answer to that question affects the kind of music we use in our service, the kind of liturgy we
employ, even the content of the message.
Loving God, you have blessed me with the wonderful opportunity to worship you. Amen.
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