Friday, February 15, 2008
- Dennis Newkirk
The “I can’t worship because” Syndrome
I would guess that essentially every pastor hears words like these on a regular basis, “I can’t worship because….” The amazing thing to me is how diverse the “because's” are. Let me list a few.
“I can’t worship because we aren’t singing hymns.”
“I can’t worship because we don’t sing enough hymns.”
“I can’t worship because we sing hymns.”
“I can’t worship because it is too hot/cold in the Worship Center.”
“I can’t worship because the sermon is too long, too shallow, or too hard.”
“I can’t worship because I don’t like the preacher’s delivery.”
“I can’t worship because the music is too loud.”
One of my favorites is the guy who told me, “I can’t worship sitting this close to the front.” Do you need some more of these? I’ve got a whole basket full.
“I can’t worship because the church is too big, too small, or the wrong denomination.” “I can’t worship unless you use a KJV Bible” one family told me. And the list goes on and on and on…you get the idea.
As ABC news report John Stossel would say, “Give me a break!”
The best thing that I can say is if your worship depends on these things, you need to reconsider what it means to worship! Worship is responding to the presence of God through humble expressions of praise and service. Worship doesn’t require a particular kind, volume, or tempo of music. It does not depend on the type of instrument that accompanies the music. Worship does not rest in the size of church. In fact, (and let’s be careful not to let this slip out) it is even possible to worship in something other than a Baptist church!
Instead of focusing on why you can’t worship or what you don’t like in a worship service, focus on recognizing God’s presence, beauty, wonder, and give Him the honor that He deserves. If you occupy your mind with Him, you’ll be amazed how many other things will “grow strangely dim, in the light of His glory and grace.”
We live in a unique church environment today. I think of it as "cafeteria-style Christianity." We pick and choose because we have lots of options. Where does this lead? For me, I’m passing up the salad, meat, and vegetables and going straight for the dessert. Wait a minute, maybe there is something more for me to do than satisfy my sweet tooth.
I love being your pastor,
Dennis