Gathered worship, local church worship, corporate worship.
“We’re unlikely to make much progress in establishing a proper worship service if we don’t first prioritize the public reading of Scripture.” - Lifeway
In John 4, Jesus’ conversation with the Samaritan woman reveals a pivotal shift in worship. “The hour is coming, and is now here, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth” (Jn 4:23). This statement revolutionizes the concept of worship.
True worship runs far deeper than any stylistic expression. It is not merely the sound we produce but the surrender we offer. Pastors, worship leaders, and all church leaders must recapture the biblical vision of worship.
‘Hyperfocus on feeling is a dangerous path to tread. Feelings ebb and flow. It is no knock on emotion to say it is not the foundation of faith, even if it often plays a significant role in our relationships with God and each other.” - CToday
“All of this came to mind when I read Bob Smietana’s article for Religious News Service entitled If Jesus showed up today, would he play guitar? He was reporting on the Conference on Contemporary Praise and Worship held this summer in Nashville, in which scholars came together to discuss, among other things, ‘whether worship music has become a new sacrament.’” - Gene Veith
“When we hear about being ‘discipled,’ we often picture a one-on-one relationship or a small group setting, and those are important ways in which we grow as Christians. But have you thought about how discipleship happens through the gathered church?” - 9 Marks
The apostle Paul finishes his sentence about singing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs with the phrase: “submitting to one another out of reverence for Christ” (v. 21). When we intergenerationally submit to one another, with reverence for Christ, our personal pride and preference issues fade into the background as we consider others as better than ourselves.
“Last week we discussed Roman Catholic controversies over worship. So this week we’ll look at Protestant worship, specifically, at the influence of Charles G. Finney (1792-1875). He used to be controversial, but his worship innovations can now be found across virtually all Protestant traditions.” - Veith
“The debate over raising hands in worship resurfaces every few years…. Scripture answers that question directly, and the answer appears more often across the Bible than a quick read would suggest.” - Sam Storms
The songs we sing are with us throughout our daily lives away from church. The importance of choosing congregational music that aligns with the theology our churches uphold cannot be overstated.
