This type of worship obviously takes a great deal of planning - but I believe that is a responsibility incumbent in the free church tradition. Liturgical churches need not put as much planning into their services because the story of redemption is beautifully and powerfully related in a standardized form; but there is incredible potential for dynamic worship in the nonliturgical church if we are willing to give it the forethought and planning it deserves.
Participatory Worship
Another crucial aspect is that of participatory worship. Kierkegaard's perceptive portrayal of worship as having God as the "audience," the congregation as the "performers," and the worship leaders (music minister, choir) as "prompters" deserves careful consideration. The flow of the service in our church incorporates a sort of dialogue between choir and congregation. Our trained musical force offers a musical invitation to the people to approach God in reverent worship, but the congregation is never left for long to sit and listen: they are regularly brought in to respond and participate by singing or reading.
The great biblical and reformation doctrine of the priesthood of all believers must be lived out in the full participation of all God's people in the act of corporate worship.
Reverent Worship
Another vital biblical and Reformation doctrine is that God is not aloof and distant, but rather has come close through His Son Jesus Christ. In our informal age this precious truth is sometimes translated into worship which seeks to be a little too "chummy" with Jesus. He is our Friend, to be sure, but not in a backslapping kind of way. He is our Lord as well, who has gone to incredible lengths to provide for our wellbeing. If we were in fact to visually behold Him, we would not see Him in blue jeans-- we would be overwhelmed by His unspeakable majesty and resplendent glory, and we would fall to our knees.
Worship befitting its divine Object will be reverent worship. This does not - I repeat, does not - mean dead or dull worship. But the primary goal will not be to produce giddy or even warm feelings in the participants. The goal will be to glorify God in all of His transcendence and majesty, so that His people are transfixed by the contemplation of the matchless beauty of His person and the unsurpassed wonder of His redeeming love. Some of our people regularly find themselves weeping as they join in worshipping their Lord in all His splendor.
There is plenty of room in dignified worship for joyful and exuberant expression - not as an end in itself, but rather as an appropriate response to the Giver of all good gifts.
* * * * *
To have the whole people of God (young and old) join together in meaningful corporate worship is an overwhelming testimony to the barrier-breaking truth of the gospel - and unbelievers cannot help but notice! And to invite the body of Christ to exalt the Person of Christ and of God the Father in a way in which no segment of the congregation feels alienated - that is a goal so unspeakably worthy that we should joyfully marshall all the creative forces at our disposal for this greatest of all human pursuits.
|
Experiencing Worship, The Study