by Dr. Wayne Poplin - Carmel Baptist Church, Matthews, NC
When our hearts respond to God, so may our bodies. True worship humbles the heart and often times it is pride that prohibits our expressions. I am not advocating calisthenics in the church. I am in favor of a childlike liberty in expressing yourself in worship. There is a place of dignity. There is a place for expression. Is clapping ok? Yes, when it is not to applaud men or a response to entertainment but from a heart that has worshipped God and been led to Him. It is an expression of joy, thanksgiving, etc. Is kneeling appropriate? Bowing the head? Lifting hands? In the Scripture it is a posture in prayer (Ps. 28:2; 1 Tim. 2:8); it is an expression of praise (Ps. 63:3,4). Is saying, "Amen" ok? We do not need express ourselves in such a way that we become distractions to someone else, but when our hearts our touched we are going to express it somehow or someway.
CONCLUSION: Worship is God's gift to us, intended for our blessing and benefit. When we worship, we give back to Him—praise, adoration, our treasures (as the wise men gave theirs—gold, incense and myrrh (Mt. 2:11). If the vertical mandate is achieved, then the horizontal will be accomplished.
Experiencing Worship, The Study
Used by churches all over the world to help teach worship, the Experiencing Worship study can help your worship team too.
Your team will learn why we worship and gain a better understanding of how to worship.
One user said..."Your 5 week study course has made a tremendous impact on my life in the study of worship... I would like to express my thanks for a well written study course that leads into a higher realm of praise and worship."
Experiencing Worship, The Study