Throughout the Bible God celebrates creativity and unique ways to worship him. Continually, he reminds us that all things that are good are from him. We need this constant reminder because we often find ourselves creating rules and putting parameters on what we consider to be the best way or the only way to worship Him and provide worship opportunities for others to worship Him.
One example that Noland highlights is the way God explains how He wants the tabernacle made in Exodus 28:33. It gets interesting when God explains to the "artists" how to construct the priests' garments. These artists were "instructed to create blue, purple, and scarlet pomegranates" (Noland, 141). Isn't it interesting how pomegranates "can be purple and scarlet during various stages of their growth, but never blue. Imagine that - a blue pomegranate. In other words, the artists didn't have to make exact duplicates of nature. They could bring something new and refreshingly different to their work" (Noland, 141). This highlights the fact that we are given the freedom to bring our artistic gifts and creativity to how we worship.
Because there are so many pleasing ways to worship God, we may find that we do not agree with each other on the way that worship should be conducted. Some of us love the tradition of hymns and songs that we loved as children in the church. Others of us may want to experience Sunday worship by bringing down the house with joyful jubilee and professed hallelujahs. Then again, a portion of us may be thinking too much about what kind of worship is best without allowing for God's input or work on our spirit. How many of us have sat in the congregation on Sundays and spent more time thinking about the worship music than focusing on our own worship?
Noland emphasizes in this section that we need to embrace different kinds of worship, which means being open to the new and different. He states, "that's why God's Word encourages us to sing to the Lord a 'new song' (Ps 33:3) (Noland, 142). We need to be open to other forms of worship (not just musically) and feel that our worship community is open to our ideas of worship. (Spoiler alert: the next post will be about open communication...).
For this post, reflect upon a current worship method at our church that you love and/or you feel the congregation loves. Then, explain a worship style or practice that you would like to add to our current method.
I grew up in a church that sung hymns from hymnals. This is actually how I learned how to read music and the basics of harmony. Ever since then the complexity of simple hymns sung in harmony (yep, an oxymoron) really allows me to worship with heartfelt praise. That being said, there is no possible way that I would want to worship in only that style every Sunday. I think that it is the balance of the current worship style with the harmonic complex is what really works.
ReplyDeletePersonally, I think that our variety of worship "tastes" on our team is absolutely fantastic. I also think that the congregation has really responded well to the current variety that they have been experiencing.
If I could add something new, I think it would be great to have an evening every three or four months where we could all just get together for a "worship jam session." It would be structure free, but we would all have an opportunity to pick songs to worship with and celebrate together. (Plus, Sarah could bring a fantastic dessert or two... :D).
I also grew up with hymns - when I go to a service that sings only from the hymnal I am still moved with the power of the congregational 4 part harmony sound.
ReplyDeleteRight now our worship has a wide variety of sound and I feel like it is being received well. I can always see one song over another that moves people to praise with more animation.
I would like to add other forms of worship to our service - incorporate more drama especially. I would like to see a different feel now and again - songs that breathe more and allow some verbal worhsip that would move people to prayer or reflection. Something that they would not have to stay so focussed on the "big screens" as much. More free form for the congregation but the worship team would keep the background of worship steady to allow this.
I am excited for the next phase of life for worship at 1st pres and will embrace it will open arms.
Wendi
I was also brought up on hymns. While I do love hymns I really am drawn into worship more but songs I know, from the radio.(Especially anything Hillsong). I think Andreas idea of having a night where we choose the music and jam out. MY old church(back in IL) does this once a year, the choir votes on their favorite songs and then do a concert for who ever wants to come...I really like this idea.
ReplyDeleteI think something the congregation really reacts well to is having hymns every once in a while.