Worship Matters; part 4

Rooted vs. Relevant

Tonight's study came from a book by Bob Kauflin called "Worship Matters".

We had a great rehearsal last night. Between vocal and instrumental practice we had another devotional where we discussed the importance for being both rooted in our Christian heritage and relevant to our present culture as we gather together in our corporate worship. How difficult, to be both rooted and relevant, seemingly in tension. But yet how important it is that we capture the benefits of the healthy and edifying traditions of our Christian forefathers as well as keep fresh and alive relating to our culture so we do not spiritually stagnate in our practices.

2 quotes from the book, "Worship Matters", (by Bob Kauflin) I used to give impetus to our discussion:

1)    “When we decide what form our Sunday meeting will take, we aren’t starting in a historical vacuum…The hymns that we sing today have been tested for centuries, causing the best to rise to the top.” (189-190)
2)    “In every age the church must fight the tendency to grow mechanical in its worship as the Spirit-inspired practices of previous generations become the dead, unexamined practices of the next.” (191)

Looking forward to Sunday worship with you all,

Corb

PS. Turning to the function of music in church services, we looked at Colossians 3:16-17 and how we are instructed to teach one another with “psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs”. I shared a very influential article in my own life, written by John MacArthur called “With Hearts and Minds and Voices”. I’ll link it for you here in case you are interested in reading it. <http://www.bible-researcher.com/macarthur1.html>

9 Things that Christian Worship Should Be

by Zac Hicks

linked from www.doxologyandtheology.com

There are great reminders in this article.  His nine points are:

1. Christian worship should be biblical.

2. Christian worship should be dialogic.

3. Christian worship should be covenantal.

4. Christian worship should be trinitarian.

5. Christian worship should be communal.

6. Christian worship should be hospitable, caring, and welcoming.

7. Christian worship should be “in but not of” the world.

8. Christian worship should be a generous and excellent outpouring of ourselves before God.

9. Christian worship should be expectant of an encounter with God.

Go to his link to see how he breaks each point down.  click here to go to the actual article

The Trajectory of Worship

click here to view entire article