The Biblical Worship Service

[Joseph Gill]

"How is it then, brethren? when ye come together, every one of you hath a psalm, hath a doctrine, hath a tongue, hath a revelation, hath an interpretation. Let all things be done unto edifying." [1 Cor. 14:26]

This model of the worship service is the ideal—and I am told it was normative just a couple of generations ago in some circles. Wise leaders encouraged rather than wrangled against the gifts of the Spirit that manifested in the laity. Pastors said, like Moses, that they would "that all the Lord's people be prophets, and that the Lord would put his spirit upon them!" [Num. 11:29] But it seems today that leaders jealously seek to be the only conduit through which the congregation is blessed; they will not even imagine lay members being able to minister to them.

Is there any real theological support for our modern worship services in which a preacher occupies "the white hot spotlight"? Haven't we strayed far from the biblical description of a worship service?

[Child of the Kingdom]

Yes we have strayed from biblical worship. Today's worship does not resemble the worship spoken of in scripture. The power seems to have diminished in many congregations. Most consider a good shout to be the power of God but there is much more than that.

[Evangelist Altha Fugett]

In the assembly I attend, we have testimonials, praise service, and of course the Word of God, it is not unusual if a lay person prophecies. I have even seen my pastor a Bishop not preach if the Spirit goes in a different direction.

There are churches adhereing to the biblical church services outline in the bible.