This may seem strange, but the Bible isn't to be worshipped. It is a tool to help us worship. Some commit what has been termed bible-alatry (a termed coined to communicate the sometimes unhealthy focus on a particular interpretation of the Bible) and worship what they think the Bible says instead of actually doing what the Bible really says. I have an aunt who used to tell me that you should never place anything on top of a Bible - not even another Bible! While I am all about honoring God's Word and giving due reverence to the Word of God, I have to say that I think there is a disconnect.
The Bible is God's Word. I believe it is without error and is profitable for our instruction and correction and is the self-disclosure of God to us. It should be read, memorized, studied, shared, distributed and whatever else is within the parameter of getting it out to people and then in to people. This is the disconnect. Most Christian people have Bibles and most do NOT read them. In reading the Bible, a reader comes face to face with the Author of the Bible. The reader learns about Him and comes to understand the love He has for creation and, in particular, humanity. It is in the Bible that we get the clearest picture of God and His plan for us. When we gather to meet with the Lord or when we set a time to meet with Him personally, you had better beleive that your worship experience will be much more meaningful and powerful if you come to it having been informed about the God you worship. One of the criticisms we see in the New Testament about the religious people is that they had zeal without knowledge. Isn't it a shame that we all we have learned and particularly all that we have revealed to us in the Bible, religious people can still be criticized for having zeal without knowledge? Have you read your Bible, today?
Thursday, August 28, 2008
Wednesday, August 27, 2008
Motorcycles and Worship
Yesterday was a great rainy day. The temperature stayed in the mid to upper seventies and the rain stayed at a constant drizzle for most of the day. SO...when the boys got home and finished their homework we hit the trail to go "mud-doggin'" (my 2 year old's pronunciation of "mud-boggin'). We had a blast and we were wet and filthy dirty when we got done! So what does that have to do with worship?
Worship is giving praise to God and honoring him as the supreme being and part of what that means is that we worship him as Creator and Sustainer. He created rain. Rain; therefore, is good and we should enjoy it. He sends rain to make crops grow which in turn sustain us in our lives; therefore, rain is good. My aunt passed away a few years ago after loosing her battle with ovarian cancer. She was known to say on a regular basis of rainy days, "Don't run from the rain. Feel the rain." In other words, experience the rain. In experiencing the rain, you can not help but experience the One who made the rain, the One who sent the rain and the One who wants you to enjoy the rain. Be sure I told the boys about the God who sends rain. The benefit to riding your ATV's on a rainy day is this: You get to thank God for washing your bike at the end of the day!
Worship is giving praise to God and honoring him as the supreme being and part of what that means is that we worship him as Creator and Sustainer. He created rain. Rain; therefore, is good and we should enjoy it. He sends rain to make crops grow which in turn sustain us in our lives; therefore, rain is good. My aunt passed away a few years ago after loosing her battle with ovarian cancer. She was known to say on a regular basis of rainy days, "Don't run from the rain. Feel the rain." In other words, experience the rain. In experiencing the rain, you can not help but experience the One who made the rain, the One who sent the rain and the One who wants you to enjoy the rain. Be sure I told the boys about the God who sends rain. The benefit to riding your ATV's on a rainy day is this: You get to thank God for washing your bike at the end of the day!
Tuesday, August 26, 2008
Children and Worship
In Matthew 18 Jesus astonished those standing around him when he took a child and said to the people if you want to become great you have to become like a child. There is at least one instance in the Jesus' life when he rebukes his disciples for not allowing children to come to him. It is in the that episode that he says, "Suffer the little children to come unto me." In contemporary English that means, "Let the children come to me." Those are good words for church leaders to hear. Let the children come to Jesus.
In our church we have activities, bible studies and worship experiences planned for children during the "Big Church" service. Our workers do a wonderful job of communicating the truths of the Scripture to the children in their own language and in meaningful ways so that the children experience God in a world that is friendly to them. There is something to be said for bringing children into the "Big Church" service, too. One of things that has troubled me for the last few years is the fact that compartmentalize the church into age groups and keep the groups separated from one another during their whole worship experience. Often we speak of Children's Church, the Youth Service, the Seniors' Class, etc...
At some point we have to realize (and then plan accordingly) that the church is made up of children, youth, adults, seniors etc... These individual groups are not churches unto themselves and neither are they factions within one church, but they are one and we are the church. Titus 2 has some amazing insight into inter-generational aspects about church; but, back to the children. I realize that some small children cause disturbances in church and I also realize that some older children (and even grown-ups) create disturbances in church. If we introduce our children to the "Big Church" at an early age, I can only see positive results for them and the church. I once heard an old preacher say this: The crying of the children isn't nearly as bothersome to me as the snoring of the saints!" What do you think?
In our church we have activities, bible studies and worship experiences planned for children during the "Big Church" service. Our workers do a wonderful job of communicating the truths of the Scripture to the children in their own language and in meaningful ways so that the children experience God in a world that is friendly to them. There is something to be said for bringing children into the "Big Church" service, too. One of things that has troubled me for the last few years is the fact that compartmentalize the church into age groups and keep the groups separated from one another during their whole worship experience. Often we speak of Children's Church, the Youth Service, the Seniors' Class, etc...
At some point we have to realize (and then plan accordingly) that the church is made up of children, youth, adults, seniors etc... These individual groups are not churches unto themselves and neither are they factions within one church, but they are one and we are the church. Titus 2 has some amazing insight into inter-generational aspects about church; but, back to the children. I realize that some small children cause disturbances in church and I also realize that some older children (and even grown-ups) create disturbances in church. If we introduce our children to the "Big Church" at an early age, I can only see positive results for them and the church. I once heard an old preacher say this: The crying of the children isn't nearly as bothersome to me as the snoring of the saints!" What do you think?
Monday, August 25, 2008
Images and Worship
The debate over art in worship has been in full swing for centuries. One has only to look at the ornate cathedrals of the eastern church or visit a Roman Catholic church to see a likeness of Jesus on the cross in order to experience art in places of worship. On my desk are two likenesses given to me by my sister. One is a likeness of Jesus carved into some kind of tree indigenous to Honduras. The other is a letter opener carved out of mahogany with a lion for a handle. This piece came from Africa. I'm just sitting here looking at those two things and I also have a portrait of the church I'm currently serving from one hundred years ago. There are all kinds of things in my office and around our church (from banners in the sanctuary to posters in the kids' classrooms) that constitute image in worship.
The question is whether or not decoration enhances or detracts from the worship experience. A sanctified common sense goes a long way in determining what is appropriate and what is not. I remember as a kid hearing about the lady who made a motion in the church business meeting to cover the pews in a leopard skin pattern. She didn't stay at the church long after that. Maybe that's a bit flashy for a house of worship, but one thing is for sure - most churches are no where close to being excessive in their adornment. Is there anyone else out there who is tired of the off white, labratory-styled hallways and sanctuaries?
Images depicting the stories of Scripture are often displayed in stained glass against plain white walls. More times than not, though, churches are just blah and provide nothing more than a sterile environment in which to meet God. I have a friend who serves in a church that has an art gallery in it. They took one of the unused Sunday School rooms and turned it into an art gallery for local college students (and church members) to display their religious art. The gallery is a wonderful addition to the church and a great outreach tool. I've been in churches where every hallway depicted some story of Scripture (from Daniel in the lion's den to Jesus' ascension). I think art / image in worship is great as long as it is tastefully done and points people to the great God we serve. What do you think?
The question is whether or not decoration enhances or detracts from the worship experience. A sanctified common sense goes a long way in determining what is appropriate and what is not. I remember as a kid hearing about the lady who made a motion in the church business meeting to cover the pews in a leopard skin pattern. She didn't stay at the church long after that. Maybe that's a bit flashy for a house of worship, but one thing is for sure - most churches are no where close to being excessive in their adornment. Is there anyone else out there who is tired of the off white, labratory-styled hallways and sanctuaries?
Images depicting the stories of Scripture are often displayed in stained glass against plain white walls. More times than not, though, churches are just blah and provide nothing more than a sterile environment in which to meet God. I have a friend who serves in a church that has an art gallery in it. They took one of the unused Sunday School rooms and turned it into an art gallery for local college students (and church members) to display their religious art. The gallery is a wonderful addition to the church and a great outreach tool. I've been in churches where every hallway depicted some story of Scripture (from Daniel in the lion's den to Jesus' ascension). I think art / image in worship is great as long as it is tastefully done and points people to the great God we serve. What do you think?
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