by Sandy » Wed Jan 13, 2016 11:54 am
There are a few places in the scripture where there's a hint that clues us in as to what takes place during worship. Psalm 22:3 uses words that talk about God "inhabiting" or being present in the praise of Israel. In Acts 4:31, there's a description that indicates worship may have resulted in the actual "shaking" of a physical location where the church was meeting. I Corinthians 14 speaks of the order in worship, because of the presence of God, and that he is not a God of disorder, but of peace. There's a fine line between offering various styles of music in worship because of their appeal to the worshippers, and offering several styles of worship to assist people in getting to the presence of God, where He becomes the object and focus of their worship, and it's not about them.
One of the best lessons I ever had in focusing worship on God's presence, and not on what I "got out of it" occurred when I went to an unprogrammed Quaker meeting at the invitation of a friend. Silent reflection dominated the service, and there was little "visible" movement of the Holy Spirit. I went again, about two months later, and the whole character of the service was different. There was a lot of "movement," so to speak, as it seemed God's presence literally "moved on" people. It was really hard to explain, except that it was a group of people that were in the presence of the Holy Spirit who was there. There was no "style" to it. It was simply a transforming experience, not the kind of thing where you'd walk up to the pastor after the service, shake hands and give him your evaluation of the entertainment value of his sermon.
I think what's happening to many people, particularly younger people, with regard to their church experience is that the show is good, and the music entertains them, but there's no spiritual transformation taking place. That's why about 70% of those who are in the church leave during or after college, and the rest never even approach it.