More and more Christian churches across America seem to be adding contemporary worship services to their Sunday lineups. Some churches provide them in addition to a traditional service, while others have abandoned the traditional service altogether.
This intense focus on style has led people to think that worship is no more than a Sunday morning event. Is worship about style? Is it really reduced to music, guitars and keyboards, cameras and video production? Is worship an event or a lifestyle?
Worship can be both an event and a lifestyle. Corporate worship as an event is the culmination of several spiritual disciplines including praise, teaching, prayer, fellowship and service. But worship as a lifestyle should include these same disciplines every day of the week.
Daily worship is evidence to a lost world that there is a God who loves us enough to send His Son Jesus to die for our sins. So how can spiritual disciplines found in corporate worship also be part of our daily living? Look at these five areas that can be taken from the sanctuary into the world:
Praise: This may be the first word that comes to mind when "worship" is mentioned. Praise is initiated in times of thankfulness. Attitude plays a big part in it, and awareness of God's awesomeness is essential. Luke 19:37 shows how praise is activated through this recognition of God's power: "When he came near the place where the road goes down the Mount of Olives, the whole crowd of disciples began joyfully to praise God in loud voices for all the miracles they had seen." Jesus' disciples worshiped that day because of what they had seen. They saw God at work, just as we do every day. Discerning eyes see God at work. Praise Him for that work whenever your heart moves you.
Teaching: It's easy to see how teaching plays an important role in corporate worship, but what about in daily life? God continues His counsel through the teachings of the Holy Spirit. "But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you (John 14:26)." Each of us has the opportunity to be a student in God's classroom. The challenge is to take note of what the Teacher is saying, to do our homework and to apply His teachings.
Prayer: Talking with God offers us the opportunity to praise, to declare God's sovereignty, to petition His provision, to confess our sins and, most importantly, to listen. A lifestyle of prayer keeps us humble. Daily prayer allows us to know Him. Philippians 4:6 says, "Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God."
Fellowship: Fellowship is more than just a potluck dinner. While it does encompass all kinds of cooperating, sharing and playing, it also includes the fellowship we are called into with Jesus (I Corinthians 1:9). Scripture tells us that we are the very body of Christ. Simply put, fellowship is participating in the body of Christ. Fellowship with God Himself and fellow Christians is essential as we take the gospel to a lost world. Although we may feel alone sometimes, Christians are never alone spiritually. Jesus promises never to leave us or forsake us. With that kind of commitment from God, shouldn't we at least make an effort to remain in fellowship with Him?
Service: "I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me (Matthew 25:40)." How do we worship God through service during the week? First Peter 4:11 gives us some insight: "If anyone speaks, he should do it as one speaking the very words of God. If anyone serves, he should do it with the strength God provides so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To Him be the glory and the power forever and ever. Amen."
In everything we do, there is always opportunity to glorify God, opportunity to choose God's way over our own. Perhaps Paul says it best in Romans 12:1: "Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God--this is your spiritual act of worship."
All Scripture in this article is taken from the New International Version.
Chad Day is the overseer for Hillvue Heights Church's 20-Something Ministry and is also involved in technical support for Hillvue's worship ministry. Hillvue Heights is located in Bowling Green, Ky.
Lifeway Resources, used by permission
