the ideal worship service
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 generations ago the church more genuinely reflected it. As the Spirit fell on different saints, the rest of them followed the leading of the anointing. They got behind the old deacon's praise song. They eagerly absorbed the old mother's words of exhortation. They made space for a sister's ecstatic tongue or a brother's word of prophecy. They allowed the Holy Spirit free rein.
A wise leader will be encouraging rather than wrangling against the move of the Spirit. He will say, like Moses, that he would "that all the Lord's people be prophets, and that the Lord would put his spirit upon them!" [Num. 11:29] He will not jealously seek to be the only conduit through which the congregation is blessed; he will even embrace others ministering to him.
What are the worship services like at your place of fellowship? Does the leader occupy a spotlight, or are all the congregants encouraged to participate at the prompting of the Spirit?
This model of the worship service is the ideal—and I am told generations ago the church more genuinely reflected it. As the Spirit fell on different saints, the rest of them followed the leading of the anointing. They got behind the old deacon's praise song. They eagerly absorbed the old mother's words of exhortation. They made space for a sister's ecstatic tongue or a brother's word of prophecy. They allowed the Holy Spirit free rein.
A wise leader will be encouraging rather than wrangling against the move of the Spirit. He will say, like Moses, that he would "that all the Lord's people be prophets, and that the Lord would put his spirit upon them!" [Num. 11:29] He will not jealously seek to be the only conduit through which the congregation is blessed; he will even embrace others ministering to him.
What are the worship services like at your place of fellowship? Does the leader occupy a spotlight, or are all the congregants encouraged to participate at the prompting of the Spirit?
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Joseph Gill on
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Just what is supposed to constitute our WORSHIP of God? Some dry denominations believe it is singing assigned hymns and listening quietly to a sermon. The modern mega-churches seem to believe it's being a spectator at well-orchestrated theatrical programs (a couple of the sanctuaries I've visited actually looked like theatres--cushioned stadium seats, stage-like pulpit, and all). Even in the pentecostal church, testimony and platform services seem to be on the wane. Can there be "worship" in an atmosphere that isn't particularly participatory... if the format is entirely about being catered to by the ministerial staff? Is that really worship?
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