It is not up to God to create the atmosphere for real worship; it’s up to us. An atmosphere for worship is created when we choose to meet His conditions. Consider this analogy from nature. Dew doesn’t rise from the ground or fall from the sky. When conditions are right, it simply shows up. When the conditions are right, God will show up. Our focus must be on creating those conditions —that atmosphere. Often our focus seems to be on instituting a new program or plan or launching a new style of worship. Yet many times these either don’t work, or they create division within the church. I have heard many well-intentioned Christians misinterpret Matthew 18:20 ("For where two or three have gathered . . ."). This is not a blanket promise that whenever two or three Christians get together, Jesus will just— poof—show up. Notice the condition, "in My name." He will show up when He is in control and when it is all about Him. How is this atmosphere created? Let me offer several suggestions using an acrostic for ATMOSPHERE:

Attitude
A warm welcome to those who come and a reverence for God in worship.

Truth
The Bible judges our experiences and holds up the moral and ethical compass without compromise.

Music
Jesus’ preferred style of music is not traditional, contemporary, or blended; it’s the "spirit-and-truth" style.

Obedience
The spirit of learning never to say no to God.

Scripture
Preaching and teaching the Bible must be central. It is our authority for belief and behavior.

Prayer
Creates the atmosphere where change can take place. Leaders must both pray for people and with them.

Humility
The realization that it is all about Jesus, not about us.

Expectancy
The belief that you will leave different from the way you came to worship.

Repentance
Deals with sin in people’s lives. The church must, with truth and grace, expose sin’s devastating effect and give people the opportunity to make right their relationship with God.

Enthusiasm
Worship must be exciting, open to God’s Spirit—not boring and dull.

The good news is that atmosphere does not depend on a church’s location, leadership, or facilities. This atmosphere can be created in any church willing to meet the conditions of God’s Word. During a time of transition, I shared with our congregation that we were not changing the message, only the methods. I brought an LP album, an eight-track tape, a cassette tape, and a CD—each with the same song. I said that the song never changed; only its presentation changed. Often we try to reach a CD generation with eight-track methods. Creating an atmosphere where God can work allows Him to change the way we do things, while never changing His message.

LifeWay Resources, used by permission