Of Worship...

I have a feeling that I might be doing step exercise on my soapbox here, but I’m well aware of that going into this. This post I think is a result of a combination of things. First is my internal nature to view everything ‘church’ in light of worship. Not just musical worship, but time spent worshiping God with time, energy, talent, etc etc. While music is probably a major part of my theological reflection in that everything that I see about church comes from music and how music interacts with the worship service with special attention to the congregation. Second is a one day worship seminar put on by Fuller’s Brehm Center that looked at worship from an exegetical standpoint (Talks were from Exodus 33 and Isaiah 6). Final is a reading of A Generous Orthodoxy by Brian Mclaren, which has been interesting to read and consider.

A short preface before I put on my gym clothes and probably get a little ‘uppity’ in my choice of words; I have very little training in my denominational background. My dad is a pastor and while I am following in his footsteps, my youth was spent building a church with no programs, youth groups, or even church building until I was in high school. Never had a Confirmation class, or any form of spiritual discipline training until I was supposed to be enacting all these things as a volunteer youth leader.

The catalyst for this fleshing out of worship came from a comment that was made within church service. I could repeat it here but I’m not sure that it would be useful other than getting me fired up. What should be noted is that if the band was mine, the person would be sent on a time of refection as to what worship is, the person would ‘take five’ (weeks) to consider the comment, and the concept of worship, and how good shoe leather tastes.

But enough uppity and more on reflection… The conference this weekend was one of the best events I got paid to attend. (A perk of working for Fuller’s on-campus audio/visual tech group.) The first talk from Exodus came centered around the Tent of Meeting. While I was only listening on and off while trying to read a book for class; the central focus was meeting God, not just worshiping him. Meeting God then required a conversation, which leads to a relationship. That relationship leads to marriage, where God’s people take the form of the bride. The bride language goes through the whole of the Bible. The funny part is Moses in Ex. 33 ASKS to see God’s Glory and get it. As a result he has to wear a veil (Bridal? I think so).

My theology of musical worship is based out of John 3:30 and works something like this: It’s not about me. Strangely enough much of my theology is centered on that statement. John 3:30 is John the Baptist’s statement “He must increase, but I must decrease.” (NRSV) I have always viewed my musical worship in this manner that I am not a leader but a participant as well. Many times in my room, I will sit with my guitar and play it, offering up notes in worship. Many times I do this if I find myself for a lack of words for prayer (which is often) and normally the music and tone affects the sound that my fingers produce as if echo my heart.

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I wrote the ‘above the line’ a few days ago. I have calmed down some, and gotten sick so that I have ‘less’ energy to finish my line of thinking. I’m not even sure where I was going with this post. Sometimes I just have to get my head put in some other place if only so I can focus on my schoolwork. While I am very particular about worship, particularly musically, it is because that is where I see most Christians are in their faith. Sometimes called pew potatoes, which is fair to some and not fair to others. Try this sometimes when visiting another church, where does the worship point, and what is the reaction of the congregation to the various things that come up over the course of the service. It is really really interesting.

But I have good news; I have secured my internship for next school year. All is well and I am really excited about learning all the behind the scenes stuff that happens in a church.