Worship Leaders by Stephen M. Newman Pastor of Worship and Arts December 28, 2008

I have to make a heartfelt confession, for years I have been a judge of people in my church. As I would lead worship from the platform and look down on the congregation, I would often pass judgment on those who were not "visible" worshippers. I could tell those who viewed the music as a commercial break, to those who understood it's purpose. It became a very frustrating thing to see leaders of the church week after week fail to join in on our times of corporate worship. I took their lack of involvement as a sign that they really were not as spiritual as they thought they were. They claimed to be giants of the faith, and yet when it came to worship they seemed lackadaisical and uninterested. It was as if the music and singing were times to sit back and listen before the really important stuff happened. It was merely a warm-up for the preaching. We've all heard that statement before from people of all ages. I know very genuine Christians who look at the music portion of the worship times as kind of a "wake me up time to get my blood flowing." Those who make these remarks are not trying to be ugly or hateful, it's all they know and it shows in their lack of knowledge about worship. They merely didn't understand.

I have taught thousands of people in small groups over the years about topics ranging from marriage, grace and everything in between. There are many who never really took hold of what the Bible has to say about the different topics. It seems not everyone will hold to every value taught in the Bible. However, when I teach on the topic of worship, I see a completely different result. Every person who has gone through our "Experiencing Worship Study" has come away with a heart to know God more through worship. It is astounding to see lives transformed with the message of worship and the place it has in our lives as Christians. Long time pillars of the church are transformed from onlookers to genuine participators. Those who viewed worship as a Sunday thing are becoming "lifestyle" worshippers. It is an incredible thing to see lives changed through one of the most tried and true methods, teaching.

I am convinced Christians fail to worship because they don't understand it. They do not know what the scriptures say about it, and we as a church have failed to teach them. I have yet to find someone, after going through our study, who walks away saying, "What a waste, I now know what it means to worship and I choose not to do it." I may be in for a surprise in the future, but for now God is moving in a mighty way across our land and the world. There is a strong sense of the presence of God moving in the area of worship. He wants His church to return to Him in true heartfelt worship, to worship Him in spirit and truth as John 4:23-24 states, and to come before Him in humility and not with a cold heart refusing to give Him the praise and honor He deserves. The Bible tells us to bow before the Lord, and yet we won't. Why? We have become arrogant and full of pride when we are too ashamed to kneel before God in front of our coworkers and friends. Why do we refuse?

First, I believe people don't know that the Bible tells us to do it. How many sermons have you heard on the subject of worship? Most people have the opinion worship is an area of ministry that requires a pastor and that is his job. That's his/her area of ministry under which fall music, drama, and the arts. We rarely hear anything on the topic of worship from the pulpit. When we do, it's never in depth and encouraging us to pursue it. Why have we failed to teach our people true worship? They will never become worshippers until we teach them what worship is.

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