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True Worship or Oh My God!
Wednesday, April
23, 2008, posted by Steve McCranie (006)
From this summer...
Quick question for you: "What is worship?”
Oh, come on, you and I both know you’ve asked yourself the same
question.
“What is worship?”
Ok, let me elaborate. Is worship limited to what we do on Sunday? You know, is
worship joyfully singing songs led by a choir, or maybe a worship team,
or band, or a mini-orchestra- or maybe just some old guy in
a navy blue
suit waving his arms back and forth at us in a Mr. Miyagi, “wash on, wash
off” kind of fashion?
Is that worship?
Or is worship more about what we do in church? How we respond?
When we, in unison and right on cue, raise our hands in a trained,
knee-jerk, Pavlov’s dog type of response to when the worship leader
raises his hands— is that worship? Is that what God is looking for? Is
God all about making sure we display some canned, patented, outward and
socially acceptable sign, like clapping when the worship leader tells us
its time to clap, for Him to know that we worship? Is that what it takes
for us to be the kind of people Jesus said the “Father seeks to be His
worshippers?”
Is it all about what we do on the outside?
Or, is it more about what we experience on the inside? Is God more
concerned about our emotional state during the Sunday morning worship
service? You know, did we cry? Did we feel warm and fuzzy and bubbly? Were we moved to tears like we were the first time we saw “Old Yeller”
or some other tear-jerking movie?
Is that worship?
And, if so, is that the kind of worship that pleases the Lord?
Ah yes, the question about worship— What is it and when do we know
if it’s
happening?— is now the classic $64,000 question among church circles
today.
What is worship? And when do we know
if it’s happening?
Good questions.
Books, one after another, have recently been
published that present the notion that you can tell when people are in true worship by how loud
they sing, or how long they stand, or how high they raise their hands. Then, based on the Worship Leader’s ability to get a group of people to
sing loud and stand long and point high, they become an expert on modern
worship. Really? Sounds like Christian crowd manipulation to me.
“This last Sunday everybody was worshipping the Lord!”
“Really, how do you know?”
“They all had their eyes closed and were raising their hands.”
Yawn.
Worship Leaders, or Lead Worshippers as they are often called in more
progressive, mini-mega churches, claim to have been spiritually gifted
in their ability to “take us into the very presence of God” through
their God-given musical talents, showmanship or natural charisma. More
often than not, they end up being little more than sad excuses for rock
star wannabes— if you know what I mean.
Worship or—
the Rock Star Wannabe
For example, this past April I, along with 3,000 others, had the
opportunity to attend the Gospel Music Association (GMA) Christian Music
Week conference in Nashville, Tennessee. GMA Week, as it is called
in the industry, is marketed as the premiere annual Christian
music industry conference event and showcase.
And, to be honest... it pretty much was.
The Sunday morning session of the conference (known as
the GMA Chapel Service) was led by a Worship Leader named Lincoln
Brewster, a very talented guitar player. I assume he was chosen to
come to GMA because he must have possessed that enlightened gift
of being able to bring people into the presence of God— to be the
lead worshipper at GMA. To be the kind of worshippers "the
Father seeks to be His worshippers."
What a crock!
All it turned out to be was a platform for Lincoln to
showcase his considerable guitar talent and perform for a conference
room full of brain-dead morons. Oh, do I seem a bit cynical?
Maybe I am. And you would probably feel the same way if you sat on
the fifth row of the GMA sanctioned Chapel Service (their excuse for
church) and watched throngs of people, who should know better, slip down
front to take flash photos of Lincoln playing his guitar for them.
Yep, flash photos of the lead worshipper leading us into the
presence of God.
It was enough, as Jesus would say, “to vomit them out of my mouth.”
After a set or two of songs from Lincoln's new
CD, “on sale now at the table in the back” he closed with the statement,
“Hey, is it OK to play guitar in church?” Whereas the crowd of music/radio/retail professionals screamed,
“Yeah! Give us more! Entertain us! Show us your glory, Lincoln!”
Right. Show us your glory, Lincoln.
It was nauseating.
I mean, there we were in Nashville at the Gospel Music Association Sunday
Chapel service watching the focus of worship center on anything other than Christ. In fact, I’m pretty sure He wasn’t
even there. Must not have had a pass. Yeah, I'm pretty
sure Jesus wouldn't have come within miles of a service designed to entertain and promote man— and
not God.
And nobody seemed to be bothered by it at all.
One after another, like groupies at a rock concert, middle-aged adults,
Christian industry professionals, would come
from the back and kneel at the foot of the stage, at their makeshift
altar, to take pictures of Lincoln Brewster and his church band as they performed for us. For us! And
all this at
a time specifically set aside to worship the Lord.
And then, to rub salt into the nail wounds of Jesus, the emcee of the service said at the end, “Thanks for coming and worshiping with us this
Sunday morning. Wow! We really had church here today! Sponsored by
Integrity Music.”
Oh, gag, barf, heave, vomit, splat.
Church— sponsored by Integrity Music. Moneychangers and
overturned tables.
Worship or—
Hey, we don't know what
worship looks like!
Come on, sure you
do. We all do.
I hear that line of self-justifying garbage every day.
Usually from burned-out pastors or worship leaders who are a bit
offended by this kind of a
Love Jesus, Hate Church message.
The fact is, we all know exactly what worship looks like.
We've just never seen much of it in a church setting before.
Let me give you an example.
In early June, a favorite rock band announces they are
coming to your town— third stop of their 65 city world tour. You
pick the band: Stones, Springsteen, Pearl Jam, Keith Urban... hey, it
doesn't matter. Any band will do.
As soon as the tickets hit the street, people find out
and voluntarily pluck down $125 bucks for front-row seats to a concert
scheduled for January the following year. How did they get front
row seats? Simple. They camped out for 23 straight hours, in
92 degree heat and afternoon rain showers, in front of the Ticketmaster
window to make sure they were able to get tickets so close to the stage
they might actually be able to reach out and touch the shoes of the
artist.
"Wow! Can you imagine! I'm going to be on
the front row! On the front row! Maybe they'll
even look at me when they sing my favorite song. Maybe they'll
even smile! Oh God, I can't wait! I'm so excited!"
Then, for the next eight months their life is literally
framed by the $125 ticket they have hidden in their top dresser drawer.
Every day, first thing in the morning and the last thing they do at
night, they take out the ticket and rub it gently and lovingly between
their fingers, feeling the smooth texture of the stock and reading
aloud, over and over again like a mantra or incantation, the soothing
words printed in courier font on the front. Ah, those four
small words that have given hope and security to their troubled and
mediocre life.
"Row 1, Seat 14."
How peaceful they feel when they say those words.
How blessed. When their friends also buy tickets, they
are first to point out that they are on the front row, center stage.
Ah, they marvel at how good, natural, and satisfying envy feels when others envy you.
"Wow. How did you get front row seats? What
did you have to do?"
"Pay the price. Show the devotion. Put in
the time."
The day of the concert is circled in red on their
calendar, on every calendar for that matter. Nothing will
deter them from that day. Nothing.
Not even the rapture!
When the day of the concert comes, after eight long
months of waiting, their mind and emotions run amuck— they can think of
nothing else. All of life, every responsibility and every
relationship, is put on hold. Meticulously, they dress in their
very best clothes, wearing the same attire that hopefully the artist
will be wearing. Why? Because we always want to emulate
those we love. After all, imitation is the highest form of
flattery.
Show begins, and for the next two hours— screaming at
the top of their lungs and casting all restraint and self-awareness
aside, hands raised high, waving in the air like wheat blown by the
August wind, fingers open wide like a trusting infant, stretching,
straining, reaching out to the star, hoping against all hope to just be
able to touch his feet as he walks by on the stage— they show their
devotion by singing back to the star the very songs the star wrote.
"Look, I know all your songs! I've memorized all
your songs! Look at me! I love your songs! And I love
you! Look at me! Please, just look at me!"
And when the concert is over? Well, they talk
about their experience and their joy and count the days until they can
do it again.
Why?
Because they worshipped. Oh yeah, they worshipped.
Final Word...
Have you ever worshipped the Lord like that?
Didn't think so.
Have you ever wondered why?
If the world knows how to worship its gods, don't you
think you and I, as the church, can worship the true God? I sure
do.
"And what if we don't?" you ask.
Well, that's one of the reasons that countless people
Love Jesus and
Hate Church, isn't it?
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 How to Find a
Good Church
Monday, April 14, 2008, posted by Steve McCranie
(005)
First, I'm not
sure what the word "good" means. I'm not sure of all its
implications.
But, to help answer your question,
I have posted an answer to that very question that was
given by Gordon Atkinson to someone who had the same problem.
I think he pretty much sums up my take on the topic.
I'll let Gordon take it from
here..
I keep
getting emails from people who say, “Your church sounds
nice. I wish I could find one like that.”
Let me guess. You're looking for a cool church, filled
with authentic Christians who aren't judgmental, but
also have convictions, and are hip and classic in just
the right mixture. A church where people forgive
each other, and love children, and worship in meaningful
ways. A church with a swingin' preacher who makes
the Bible come alive, and tells great stories, and is a
wonderful inspiration, and is your best friend. A
church that isn't liberal or conservative, but seems to
transcend categories like those. A church where
the hunger for truth is honored, and people can disagree
but still love each other and share a plate of tacos.
A church where people are committed to “The Christ Life”
and it shows in the fabulous and creative ways they love
the world.
That what you're looking for?
I got ya. I understand.
Here are some tips to help you in your search.
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1. |
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You won't find that
church. |
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2. |
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Open the yellow pages.
Tear out the entire church section and burn it.
Offer prayers for your journey while warming
yourself at the fire. Dance if that's your
thing. |
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3. |
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Surely I don't need to
say anything about churches that have billboards
and commercials featuring preachers with $200
haircuts who look at you like the cat who sat in
your hat. |
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4. |
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Dedicate yourself to
this quest. Be at least as committed as I was to
finding good tamales. |
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5. |
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Call denominational
offices in your town and ask if they know of any
spectacularly unsuccessful churches. Explain that
you do NOT want a church that is huge and famous
and full of all the right kinds of people. Tell
them you are looking for a ragged bunch of
pilgrims who might be meeting in a Laundromat or
someplace like that. |
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6. |
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Try the Quakers.
You'll have a heck of a time finding them, but
that's the point. |
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7. |
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Find out if there are
any “house churches” in your area. Not every house
church is what you're looking for, but your odds
are better. These are Christians who have decided
not to have buildings. They put a high premium on
authenticity and relationships. Think guitars,
Ritz crackers, and singing Jesus songs with a baby
in your lap. |
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8. |
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Let's talk about #1
again. As I said, you won't find the church
you're looking for. Go ahead and grieve.
You'll have to make do with a silly bunch of
dreamers and children, prone to mistakes,
blunders, and misjudgments. |
Find some people you can
hang with— people you can trust. Be patient. You'll
change them and they'll change you. You'll meet
somewhere in the middle.
Relax. It's all good. God might use this journey to
teach you something. If you don't find what you're
looking for, you might pick up some friends along the
way and start your own church. All you need is good
coffee, a Bible, and a couple of kindred spirits.
Don't skimp on the coffee. Get the good stuff.
That's what we did— 14 years ago.
Email me if you decide to start your own thing. I'll
cheer for you from the sidelines. |
Post from Gordon
Atkinson at
www.RealLivePreacher.com.
For Inquiring Minds:
If you want to see a house church in action (actually, it's
the one I pastor), check out
The Church Without Walls at
www.thechurchwithoutwalls.org
It has been a little over 100
years since the awful summer of 1900, when 188 foreign
missionaries and more than 32,000 faithful Chinese believers
were butchered simply because they were Christians in what was
to be later known as the Boxer Rebellion.
"Why were they
killed?" you ask. Simply this: They were accused of
being the lackeys of Western imperialists— and Christians.
One eye-witness of the carnage
wrote: "Wild mobs raged through the cities of northern China,
plundering and torching churches and homes. They were led by
bare-chested fanatics calling themselves Boxers, wielding long
carved swords, demanding the heads and hearts of Christians
and missionaries."
George Ernest Morrison, a London
Times reporter in Beijing, wrote: "When darkness fell, one
could hear the most awful screams from the city, absolutely
demonic and unforgettable. The Boxers screams of 'Sha kuei-tzu'
('kill the Devils') mixed with the screams of their victims
and the moans of the dying. They massacred the local
Christians, burning them alive in their houses."
This entry, however, is not simply
the story of cruelty and death, but more a testimony of God's
people staying true to their Savior despite desperate
circumstances. A testimony of God's people who lived,
and died— and left for us an example of how to be the kind of
Believers the writer of Hebrews says the world was not
worthy of.
Oh, that God would once again
raise up in the church today men and women like these!
Men and women like the young, missionary-wife, Lizzie Atwater.
"Lizzie who?" you ask.
Lizzie Atwater,
a young pregnant woman, wrote this final letter to her parents on
August 3rd, 1900:
"Dear Ones,
I long for a sight of your dear faces, but I fear we
shall not meet on earth. I am preparing for the end very
quietly and calmly. The Lord is wonderfully near, and He
will not fail me. I was very restless and excited while
there seemed a chance of life, but God has taken away
that feeling, and now I just pray for grace to meet the
terrible end bravely. The pain will soon be over, and oh
the sweetness of the welcome above!
My little baby will go with me. I think God will give it
to me in Heaven, and my dear mother will be so glad to
see us. I cannot imagine the Savior's welcome. Oh, that
will compensate for all of these days of suspense.
Dear ones, live near to God and cling less closely to
earth. There is no other way by which we can receive
that peace from God which passeth all understanding.
I must keep calm and still these hours. I do not regret
coming to China, but am sorry I have done so little.
My married life, two precious years, have been so very
full of happiness. We will die together, my dear husband
and I.
I used to dread separation. If we escape now it will be
a miracle. I send my love to all of you, and the dear
friends who remember me." |
Twelve days after
her letter was written, Lizzie Atwater, her unborn baby, and
six other missionaries were hacked to death for simply being a
Christian.
Later, when
Lizzie's parents in Oberlin, Ohio, heard the dreadful news of
the death of their daughter, son-in-law, and unborn grandchild
they, with tears in their eyes, said:
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"We do not
begrudge them— we gave them
to that needy land. China will yet believe the
truth." |
People ask me all the time what
they should do about the
Love
Jesus, Hate Church crisis in the church today.
My answer:
Be different. No, not them. You! That's
right— you, be
different. You live a life and shine a light like
Lizzie. And let the Lord take care of the rest.
To
download a free copy of
Love Jesus, Hate Church,
click -
HERE
Remember, we're here
to help.
Love Jesus, Hate Church
2502 Crowders Creek Road
Gastonia, NC 28052
704.634.9452
www.lovejesushatechurch.com
steve@lovejesushatechurch.com
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