What is better worship? I remember asking my parents if it was OK to sit up in the balcony with my friends for church. I was so excited when they finally gave in and said yes. They had always taught me to pay attention in service–they even taught me the game where you count how many times the preacher says “Jesus” to help me focus. But to sit with my friends in the back offered me escape from the boredom I was sure more than not people were feeling. Even then I wondered if there was a better way of meeting God for worship.
I stayed going to church as I grew up but started having a deeper interest in finding other ways to connect with God and others (see Worship That Nourishes)
In high school my freshman English teacher, Bruce Freeman, started a youth to youth ministry group called “The Light Company.” In the light company I learned about creating an atmosphere for fellowship. We often would use Ice Breakers (click here for an awesome list of 40 icebreakers or mixer ideas) as a way for folks to get to know each other better. Sometimes we would have something to eat. Than we would get into Bible study in small groups of 2-4 people where we would share about a Scripture. Then we would share with the larger group what we had explored in the smaller group. Everything was lead by a facilitator who often gave special insight.
He trained me to be a facilitator of small group worship. In my opinion there is nothing better. I really miss those gatherings to this day. It reminds of the description in the beginning of Acts of the early church. Let’s read about it:
The Fellowship of the Believers
42 They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. 43 Everyone was filled with awe at the many wonders and signs performed by the apostles. 44 All the believers were together and had everything in common. 45 They sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need. 46 Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, 47 praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved. (NIV)
When you invite friends over to your house and play games don’t you develop a sense of closeness? Also, do you find that when you eat regularly with friends from work that you develop a strong bond? Well the early church had that bond. Today’s church often lacks that bond. This concerns me.
a meaningful context that isn’t informal for the sake of being cool but that is intimate for the sake of being real
The picture above is me holding my baby girl, Maia. I don’t want Maia to be turned off to Jesus by our practice of worship. I want her to find a way to connect with her Savior and with others in a meaningful context that isn’t informal for the sake of being cool but that is intimate for the sake of being real.
I don’t want my children to be bored by church. I want them to understand that Jesus isn’t boring–just our ritual of worship. So I’m on a mission to find better worship. Can you help me?
What is better worship for you?
Please share your comments below.
