I could be naive, but I imagine the word “worship” used to be a lot simpler. Worship today is a buzzword, an industry, a brand. While I’m thrilled that the worship of God is immensely popular and prominent, I wonder if we are losing the heart. Is it possible to go through the motions of worship services, program massive productions, build bigger churches, and God not be worshiped?
What comes to mind when you think about worship?
- Music?
- Songs?
- Church?
- Artists?
- _________?
What must we do to keep Christ the center of our congregational worship – to be sure we are not simply gathering for good songs, great music, cool atmospheres, and fellowship? I don’t know about you, but I won’t be satisfied unless God is worshiped in spirit and in truth with all my heart.
So what do you do to engage your heart with Christ?
Do you:
- Close your eyes
- Read Scripture
- Pray out loud
- Praise out loud
- Kneel, Clap, Dance
- Stay engaged. Don’t spectate.
- Cry
- Leave different
- Pray for someone
- Listen to the Holy Spirit
- Write down what God is speaking
- Intercede for an unsaved person
- Sing
Question: How do you “keep it real” in worship on Sunday morning, whether you lead worship or not?
Great post! To answer your first question- It is possible to for God not to be worshipped during a Sunday service. In fact, it happens too many times!
The way I think of worship: a lifestyle. It is not only focusing in God during musical worship, but it is living your life as a reflecting of worship towards God.
To “keep it real” I usually say a quick prayer right before we start. Our pastor comes up and gives some quick thoughts and announcements, then prays. And while he does that, I usually say something like “God, use these hands for your glory,” “let them see You and not me,” and of course “help me to hit the right notes in that solo!”
Jeff, I love that! What a great way to engage your heart in what really matters. As for the solo, I’m sure you rocked it 🙂