A Moment With Pastor Fred

People were created and Christians were redeemed to worship. What is worship?  The psalmist defined it as giving unto the Lord the glory due his name, Ps 29:1-2.

Corporate worship, when the church comes together, is understood differently in many congregations today. Unfortunately, many American Christians have a consumer mindset. People attend church to find what’s in it for them. We are spiritual shoppers. Customers ask, “Did I like the music?” The real question is “Did the congregation sing to the glory of God?” Praise team members are not entertainers. Yes, we’re grateful for those whom God has equipped to facilitate worship, but we go to great lengths to ensure our service doesn’t look like a concert. This is the time where we as a congregation offer a sacrifice of praise. The real action in our singing isn’t what’s going on the platform, but what’s happening in our seats.

Musician Matt Merker reminds us in his excellent book, Corporate Worship, “We are ambassadors, not consumers. The goal of our worship service is not to entertain or to provide an inspiring experience. It is to honor our King and make him known. We don’t go to church to worship; we worship because we are the church.” 

Corporate worship is designed to help us take our eyes off our difficulties and focus them on the glory of our Savior. Our weekly worship is meant to spill over into our daily lives – our lives become hymns of worship to the One who rescued us.

Glory be his name!