EQUIPPINGTHECHURCH
HOW BADLY DO YOU WANT IT?
“BIBLICAL WORSHIP”
fact, so dominant are the music portions and
How often have you heard that term? Dozens
preaching/teaching portions that the other
of times? Hundreds? What is it? What
three, revelation, tongue, and interpretation do
Well, that is that in so many churches. And two-
does it mean? Does it exist? Is it personal?
not even exist.
dimensional churches they are. Are you willing
Congregational? Both? Should our worship
done. That’s that!”
to accept the Biblical challenge of experiencing
services exhibit it? Can we tackle this in a one
Do we dare ask the question, “Why is this?” Do
a broader spectrum of ministry in your worship
page article?!! Let’s give it a shot.
we have the guts to both ask and answer this
gatherings? All of these elements are designed
question? Let’s try. Is it due to precedent? Is
by God to edify, encourage, and educate the
I heard the pastor of a large church once say
it because of convenience? How about being
believers. Certainly no one would find fault with
that the Bible says nothing about how or what
due to ignorance? Or safety? Perhaps no one
that. Let us not leave out any element that
we should do in a worship service. Therefore
wants to rock the boat. The safe, serene waters
God intended to be used for the equipping
we are on our own to figure it out or do what we
of our church’s habits and traditions may be too
of His saints.
want. I find that perspective a little scary in light
comfortable to disturb with scripture waves.
of all the Biblical directives given to us regarding
Well, we know what Jesus did a few times with
Do you want to experience this in your lifetime?
behavior, attitude and perspectives of our new
His disciples, boats, and waves!
Or should it be left to the next generation? Are
life in Christ. That it did not address what we
we called to fulfill that which is in our grasp,
should do when assembling for services,
If the Bible directive for a worship service cannot
or is it more important to maintain the status
gatherings, or meetings would be a gross
be exercised in the church, where should it be
quo? Are we big enough to get smaller? Can
omission. Luckily, or perhaps faithfully, we are
exercised? Is this passage not for the whole
we decrease that He may increase?
not facing a void in this area. I Corinthians
church, past, present, and future? Isn’t God
14:26 says, “What then shall we say, brothers
big enough to handle it? In fact, if His word
Would this mean less music? Perhaps. Perhaps
and sisters? When you come together, each
instructs it, and He initiates it, shouldn’t the
more music at times. Would this mean less
of you has a hymn, or a word of instruction,
church benefit from it? Who are we to eliminate
preaching? Perhaps. Perhaps more preaching,
a revelation, a tongue, or an interpretation.
any part of it, omit it, or ignore it? How badly
teaching, and revelation at times. In other
Everything must be done so that the church
do we want to adhere to Biblical directive? Not
words, the strict scripted and pre-planned
may be built up.” (NIV)
enough to disturb our comfort zone?
service would be amendable by the Spirit
Here we have a succinct format for what
A little further on in I Cor 14, vs 29, it says,
understand how to hear and implement the
should be included in our services. They are:
“Two or three prophets should speak, and the
leading and prompting of the Spirit.
a hymn (song), word of instruction (teaching),
others should weigh carefully what is said.”
a revelation, a tongue or an interpretation. It
OK, you might be saying, “Who is this Paul guy
Let us decide to decrease that He may increase
is clear to see that two of these elements are
anyway? Doesn’t he know that we have it down
in a palpable way in our services and in the lives
active in most churches – music and teaching.
when it comes to what we do in our services?
of our congregation. Please email me with any
Add announcements and an offering and
Stop mentioning all this revelation, tongues,
questions, comments or discussion points.
you have a typical worship service in most
interpretation, and prophet stuff. We have our
evangelical and fundamental churches. In
worship time, message, offering, and we’re
of God, provided the pastors and ministers
DAVID GAUTHIER
A musician, worship leader
and songwriter with (gulp!)
over 40 years worship
leading experience, as
well as 26 years with CCLI
in sales, marketing and
publisher affiliation.
32
Nov Dec 2016
WorshipMusician.com