In my Theology class, my professor shared a graphic from a church website that had the phrase "worship experience."[1] He presented this phrase in two ways: “worship experience,” as in “you’re invited to experience worship,” and “worship experience,” meaning “worship the experience.” Certainly, the graphic designer meant for the picture to convey the former, but all too often, churches advertise “experience” rather than invite people into corporate worship.
When church leaders continue in their efforts to provide an experience, people of the church come to believe that a church is a place where your senses should be heightened; one should see, hear, touch, and feel something. The mindset becomes, “If the music is not a bop, if the pastor isn’t shouting, if I don’t feel a certain energy, then I have not experienced worship.” As a result, people may end up coming to church only to feel something rather than to learn and grow. Additionally, when church leaders advertise "experience," they must provide that experience. By any means, the attendees should leave having had some kind of experiential encounter that leaves them with a positive feeling.
Please understand: There is nothing inherently wrong with being emotional during a church service. People should be free to express themselves in worship, but the sole purpose of corporate worship shouldn't be one's emotions. The center of worship should be God. Not the music, not feelings, not the preacher, not the dance team. Here are a few New Testament scriptures about corporate worship.
Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God.
Not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.
And they devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers.
Until I come, devote yourself to the public reading of Scripture, to exhortation, to teaching.
While these are various verses from different places in the Bible, I encourage you to choose one to examine and study for yourself by reading it in context, including the surrounding verses. I encourage you to read and study the following passages: I Corinthians 11 and 14, I Timothy 2-3.
In a nutshell, corporate worship is the designated time when the people of God, through the Holy Spirit, collectively give their attention to God and the Kingdom of God. We praise Him, minister to one another, and study the Bible together so that we can endure life’s trials, resist the devil, and represent Christ in the world.
Here’s a list of thought-provoking questions:
Why do you attend worship services?
Do you always need to be motivated by music, preaching, and productions in order to give God your undivided attention?
What would you do if your church stripped everything away: the music, lights, cameras, and program?
Would you be content with simply praising God, praying with your brothers and sisters, and encouraging the people of God?
Would it be okay to praise God and learn from His Word so that when you leave, you know how to worship God while you're in the world?
[1] Joe Kim, “A Biblical Understanding of Worship,” BTC573 at Lancaster Bible College and Seminary.
Worship: You keep using that word Pt. 2