As I continue to grow as a Christian, I am convinced of the need and benefits of attending church in a Sunday type service. I am equally curious of the true benefits and strength it gives on a corporate level to be a part of a local body of believers in Christ Jesus.
Coming from a conservative liturgical type of service I have found a comfort in this type of format. Yet I have experienced charismatic type services of the Christian faith in both liturgical circles and those outside a liturgical format. I enjoy the stability of having structure within a service and yet enjoy an element of the unexpected; a time when a unique prayer is given or a prayer of the healing for another , a specific song of worship that identifies with a group in a particular service, a reading of a passage of Scripture with a fresh understanding to what is being read, or a message from a Pastor or teacher that stimulates thought to embrace and challenge our Christian beliefs.
We seem to live in a day and age where so may causes are at stake: 1) helping the poor 2) visiting the elderly or 3) assisting those less fortunate. We are equally conditioned to be sensitive to the rights of others: 1) freedom of expression and our various views 2) alternative lifestyles and 3) leadership positions including the role of women in our Christian beliefs.
As I gather thoughts on a Christian corporate service, here are a few thoughts I have in going to a Sunday service and experiencing the joy in doing so.
First, avoiding some "toxic" vs. healthy formats are important to me:
1. Attending a service where simply following the process of the service rather than the purpose of the gathering is a "red flag" to me. In school for example, one that receives a "A" simply because an essay was 6 pages long while others receive a "C" because their essays were only 3 to 4 pages long, has potential to find a Sunday service boring and lacking depth.
2. An authority figure that dominates a service is often a turn off to me, especially when it becomes a control mechanism to keep others from freedom of expression.
3. When the form of a service itself involves primary focus on the procedures of the service rather than adapt to the current needs of the people participating in the service.
On the other hand, a healthy culture of a corporate body of believers are when:
1. The purpose of our gathering is clearly defined.
2. The quality of the service itself including the relationship of the service itself and how it invites a believer to participate, a realistic outlook on what a person faces daily as a believer, and an adaptability to allow the service "come to the participant" rather than "the participant having to follow the dictates of a service that may seem quite redundant.
3. A service that exemplifies unquestioned integrity, a fierce loyalty to do what is best for all, and an openness and willingness to learn from others.
I do think our main purpose in life is of singular origin: that is glorify God in all we do, and that is only made able when we surrender our lives at the "mercy tree", the cross, of our Lord Jesus.
In Psalm 17 David writes some interesting observations. First, in the first five verses David desires God to look into the secrets that lie within his heart, then in verses nine through twelve David describes how hard this life can be and our enemies very real as well. Yet with all that David wants to see life as God sees it and to pursue life which will give glory to Him.
In Psalm 17:15 it reads something like this: " As for me, my vindications as well as my innocence comes by seeing You, looking at You, full in Your face. My righteousness, justice, and the satisfaction of having purpose in life itself, is found as I awake and am beholding You, having a sweet communion with You."
Then, Peter has a stimulating thought as He considers the glory of God in these words: " My dear friends, we are even now His very children and yet the meaning of all this has not been fully revealed. What I do know is that when Christ Jesus returns and He is openly revealed, we will see Him, we will resemble Him, and we will be like Him, for we will see Him clearly, just as He is." 1 Peter 3:2
For myself, the first purpose of gathering together is to give Him glory, and to surrender ourselves that we might be like Him.
Coming from a conservative liturgical type of service I have found a comfort in this type of format. Yet I have experienced charismatic type services of the Christian faith in both liturgical circles and those outside a liturgical format. I enjoy the stability of having structure within a service and yet enjoy an element of the unexpected; a time when a unique prayer is given or a prayer of the healing for another , a specific song of worship that identifies with a group in a particular service, a reading of a passage of Scripture with a fresh understanding to what is being read, or a message from a Pastor or teacher that stimulates thought to embrace and challenge our Christian beliefs.
We seem to live in a day and age where so may causes are at stake: 1) helping the poor 2) visiting the elderly or 3) assisting those less fortunate. We are equally conditioned to be sensitive to the rights of others: 1) freedom of expression and our various views 2) alternative lifestyles and 3) leadership positions including the role of women in our Christian beliefs.
As I gather thoughts on a Christian corporate service, here are a few thoughts I have in going to a Sunday service and experiencing the joy in doing so.
First, avoiding some "toxic" vs. healthy formats are important to me:
1. Attending a service where simply following the process of the service rather than the purpose of the gathering is a "red flag" to me. In school for example, one that receives a "A" simply because an essay was 6 pages long while others receive a "C" because their essays were only 3 to 4 pages long, has potential to find a Sunday service boring and lacking depth.
2. An authority figure that dominates a service is often a turn off to me, especially when it becomes a control mechanism to keep others from freedom of expression.
3. When the form of a service itself involves primary focus on the procedures of the service rather than adapt to the current needs of the people participating in the service.
1. The purpose of our gathering is clearly defined.
2. The quality of the service itself including the relationship of the service itself and how it invites a believer to participate, a realistic outlook on what a person faces daily as a believer, and an adaptability to allow the service "come to the participant" rather than "the participant having to follow the dictates of a service that may seem quite redundant.
3. A service that exemplifies unquestioned integrity, a fierce loyalty to do what is best for all, and an openness and willingness to learn from others.
I do think our main purpose in life is of singular origin: that is glorify God in all we do, and that is only made able when we surrender our lives at the "mercy tree", the cross, of our Lord Jesus.
In Psalm 17 David writes some interesting observations. First, in the first five verses David desires God to look into the secrets that lie within his heart, then in verses nine through twelve David describes how hard this life can be and our enemies very real as well. Yet with all that David wants to see life as God sees it and to pursue life which will give glory to Him.
In Psalm 17:15 it reads something like this: " As for me, my vindications as well as my innocence comes by seeing You, looking at You, full in Your face. My righteousness, justice, and the satisfaction of having purpose in life itself, is found as I awake and am beholding You, having a sweet communion with You."
For myself, the first purpose of gathering together is to give Him glory, and to surrender ourselves that we might be like Him.
No comments:
Post a Comment