What About Corporate Worship

The pursuit of worship is important to me because I want this generation to grow up worshipping God with their lives, but also understanding that music, scripture, art, silence... these things are but tools that remind us that He is the Prize, not these things in and of themselves. We must be careful not to perpetuate a form of legalism, but instead teach others to worship God, not a style, a sound, a worship song, or a worship leader. I want to help teach the body of Christ not to be confused about the purpose of corporate worship. I have unfortunately heard about adults and students saying things like, "I am not going to that conference because this person is leading or this person is not leading," or "I only go to church when he or she leads," "The music is just way too loud", "they only care about the students and not the older generation" Statements like these expose not stylistic preference but heart issues. A heart in love with God does not need its favorite style of music playing to express itself to God.

I am so tired of Satan confusing us and getting our eyes off of Jesus. When our attention is so focused on our preference, we abandon the Prize to crusade our style and it becomes idolatry, ultimately, cheating ourselves. Anytime I worship anything other than God, I cheat me. If I enjoy your response to me or my music more than God, I cheat me; if I enjoy music and the emotions it makes me feel more than God, I cheat me; if I enjoy a new song taking shape musically with the band more than I enjoy God, again I cheat me and miss out on the blessings and sheer joy of interacting with the Lover of my soul and the Savior of the world. I pray we will stop wasting time and start focusing our attention and affection on the One who can satisfy. (Psalm 63)