What if your church decided to get rid of the electric guitars, the nice drum set, the lights, stage, or even the building? Would you still go? Would you still be just as interested in what is going on? Would you still worship? The fact of the matter is that churches in America and all over the world are putting the majority of their focus each Sunday morning on the production of worship. Often times the result of this is that the true meaning of what Worship is meant to be is lost. Please do not get me wrong when I say this, because I am a firm believer in striving for excellence in the church, but it is extremely important to realize that this excellence is to be presented as an offering of praise to God, not to prove to the congregation that the worship team has put in their hours and practiced. Let me be the first to say that I am guilty of losing sight of what a worship service is meant to be. I’m not going to lie, when Revive first started out, my view was pretty distorted by the desire to sound and look good. However, all of those good things need to be secondary to the real mission that Worshipers have been sent on. One of my professors at Liberty University stated in a lecture that, “as worshipers we are called to reflect God’s glory right back to him, with the addition of leading others in to God’s throne room so that they may see and experience as well.”
The early church was the perfect model for what the heart of Church needs to be like today. They had almost nothing, and in addition to that, had people constantly trying to shut them down or kill them for what they believed in. Yes, they had their own problems, but they also loved God and died for him on a daily basis. The Lord was their primary focus in those times of struggles, and their worship was meaningful and from the heart.
Matt Redman had it right when he wrote the words, “When the music fades and all is stripped away and I simply come.” This song was originally sung with no instruments, loops, or tracks. It was simply from the heart of a congregation in a moment of realization that they had gotten too caught up in the ritualistic activities of a Sunday morning. They wanted to offer everything they had to God
Now, the expectations for this little post are not to change the way the worldwide church conducts Sunday mornings. No, it is intended to bring believers to the realization that this is a problem that has risen up in congregations and church leadership over the years and needs to be altered. Because the truth is, idolatry is a major sin and a violation of the Ten Commandments. I do pray however that through reading this, you, the readers, will feel convicted and want to make a change in our own church. One of the major things that Revive as a team strives for is to impact our generation and churches positively for Christ. So, this is where the encouragement comes. Don’t be afraid to do what is right in your church to make sure that your church is not guilty of idolatry. Engage in worship with a sincere heart and not one that focuses on the “sick” guitar rifts or the drum solos. Be one that listens to the true meaning of the lyrics, and seek a deep connection with your savior. That is my prayer for you, God bless.
- Andrew
The early church was the perfect model for what the heart of Church needs to be like today. They had almost nothing, and in addition to that, had people constantly trying to shut them down or kill them for what they believed in. Yes, they had their own problems, but they also loved God and died for him on a daily basis. The Lord was their primary focus in those times of struggles, and their worship was meaningful and from the heart.
Matt Redman had it right when he wrote the words, “When the music fades and all is stripped away and I simply come.” This song was originally sung with no instruments, loops, or tracks. It was simply from the heart of a congregation in a moment of realization that they had gotten too caught up in the ritualistic activities of a Sunday morning. They wanted to offer everything they had to God
Now, the expectations for this little post are not to change the way the worldwide church conducts Sunday mornings. No, it is intended to bring believers to the realization that this is a problem that has risen up in congregations and church leadership over the years and needs to be altered. Because the truth is, idolatry is a major sin and a violation of the Ten Commandments. I do pray however that through reading this, you, the readers, will feel convicted and want to make a change in our own church. One of the major things that Revive as a team strives for is to impact our generation and churches positively for Christ. So, this is where the encouragement comes. Don’t be afraid to do what is right in your church to make sure that your church is not guilty of idolatry. Engage in worship with a sincere heart and not one that focuses on the “sick” guitar rifts or the drum solos. Be one that listens to the true meaning of the lyrics, and seek a deep connection with your savior. That is my prayer for you, God bless.
- Andrew