If you’re reading this as a church leader or anyone who has a pulse on modern events in the Faith, you know the culture of Christian worship is trending toward movements, events, conferences, recording labels, and others means, which appear the “best” expressions of Christian worship. While collective projects of music, often called “worship”, are ever-growing, I’m drawn to ask: 1. Why are trends moving outward, away form the local church, instead of inward? and 2. Does God even care?
There is a biblical vision for the purest worship on earth. Jesus said the Father desires worship that is not in one particular place (Jn 4:21-24), yet he setup a kingdom that would extend to real locations (Matt 28:18-20) So where exactly is this place??
The Heart
As Jesus pursued the woman at the well, he explained that true worship, sought by the Father, was in a format and posture of spirit and truth. True worship flows from Jesus, our entry to the real presence and throne of God. Through him, our access, we have a truth-trove of God’s character and defined identity as his people. This informs our approach and expectation before God as we adore, confess, and praise. Pure worship begins in our hearts. Without grace to behold the beauty of Jesus in our hearts, there is no highway of praise (Ps 68:4; Is 35:8) and there is no desire for approach him on his terms.
A Real Location
Jesus emphasized the universal nature of worship. The apostle Paul spoke of worship transcending human performance (Phil 3:3). Yet the vision of Christ for his Church included establishing communities (or particular societies), in which we see patterns for appropriate worship gatherings. Not only do we see baptism and the Lord’s Supper as standards for a gathered Christian community, we also read of instructions for scriptural singing, the public reading of scripture, prayer, teaching, and a pattern of learning doctrine. The New Testament teaches us that pure worship is not only in the heart, but also in your local church. The rhythm of gathering as disciples is the richest soil you and I can grow in and the very place God intends for his worship. While we can worship God anywhere, we are also to worship God somewhere particular and together. While we can worship outside the local gathering, the purest norm is inside that assembly.
My goal is that they may be encouraged in heart and united in love, so that they may have the full riches of complete understanding, in order that they may know the mystery of God, namely, Christ, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.
– Colossians 2:2-3
There are so many ministries available to us today that offer elements of Christian worship. But as we feel the pull to gravitate away from normal rhythms inside our Christian community (the local church), may we be refreshed by worship formatted and located where God would have us. Our growth as disciples and his glory (in the process) cannot be replaced. May he be praised where he has you planted!
