Worship Articles by Stephen M. Newman Pastor of Worship and Arts August 31, 2006

I have spent years in the traditional church as a Christian as well as part of the church staff. Because of my background, I had a lack of understanding when it came to this thing called worship. To me it was the song service that we would perfect from week to week, followed by a sermon, and topped of with an invitation. It didn't vary much from week to week and I found myself grading the service on how much I got out of it. If the music was good then it was a good service. If the sermon and music were good it was a great service. How well it moved me and what I got out of it were the determining factors on how I graded each service.

I had a few friends who were from a charismatic background, and their church was very different than mine. The times when I would go and visit, I found myself chuckling because these people would be dancing, raising their hands, swaying back and forth, and seemed to be extremely into what was going on. For years I found things to say in defense of my ignorance about Charismatics. You see them on television and wonder why they have to get all excited about church. Why do they put on a show to see who can out do each other in their singing and participation? What was wrong with these people? Where is the reverence? Where is the self control? Surely what they where doing was not right! I was embarrassed to be associated with them. I didn't want the world to put us and them in the same boat. I didn't want to be associated with those fanatical Christians. Pretty narrow-minded, wasn't I?

I know I was not alone in my feelings about this matter. Even today, there are many who would agree with my thinking on this subject. Ironically, today I desire to be more like my charismatic brothers in my worship. I desire for my church to be more expressive in it's worship. This issue has already been dealt with in the Bible and the outcome was a woman never being able to have children. We all know the story of King David and how he danced before the Lord in his underwear. He danced in the presence of mere slave girls like a wild man as he worshipped the Lord. When he got home, Michal, his wife, let him have it. She came down on him for being a fool before the Lord and the world. She said, "How the King of Israel has distinguished himself today, disrobing in the sight of the slave girls of his servants as any vulgar fellow would!" (2 Sam. 6:20) She also states in verse 16 that she despised him in her heart. Wow! That's a pretty harsh thing to say to anyone, much less a King. David responded with, "It was before the LORD, who chose me rather than your father or anyone from his house when he appointed me ruler over the Lord's people Israel--I will celebrate before the LORD. What was the result of Michal's actions to the King and his worship? She became barren, never to have children for the remainder of her life.

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Are you Barren God's timeing. I truly was edified by your letter.I am on staff at a "traditional" church but have such a passion for the arts to be developed in worship. After developing some drama's and liturgical candle movement my husband critized me. I w...more Submitted by: Cindy Location: Orland Park, IL Out-"Strategize" God? Re: "Seekers" being scared off by true worhippers?I was involved in a very charismatic church. Before long, a 'lost' friend came. Their life was falling apart around them. Standing next to them during the worship service, I found myself being...more Submitted by: Ann E Location: Portland, Or. Praise ye the Lord I feel that God desires for us to use everything to worship him with. Man is caught up on what people think, but God desires to abide in the true praises of his people. We should praise God with songs, dance, shouts, waves of hands etc. As long as it...more Submitted by: Sharon Daniels Location: Tifton GA

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