Watered Down Worship??
The other day at the service my hubby was preaching at we had a visitor. After the service this particular visitor shared their view of the service.
“It was watered-down and Christian-light. I am used to rocking out. The preaching was good but the service was watered down and christian light. Like I said I am used to rocking out.”
Thankfully, this individual did not think my hubby’s preaching was watered down. He is not one to do such a thing! Praise God! He has even been asked before to “tickle some ears” because they didn’t want to hear it, even though they admitted that it was the Lord’s will for him to pastor them.
It was hard to smile, listen, and bite my tongue. There was more that was said. This individual proceeded to tell us where they typically worship. It is a place hubby and I are familiar with. My children have even visited there with friends once and one felt as if they were at a séance and one felt the need to flee and read their Bible.
This individual kept referring to items of musical style even singing for us the kind of music they were used to. They went as far as to suggest we go to the church’s website and use their create your own worship experience so that we knew how things should be done. Everything that was so called “watered down and christian light” was about style and not anything about substance.
It used to be that being watered down was not preaching the fullness of scripture but rather tickling ears. We have now come to the point where even that is not important. Now watered down has to do with whether or not we have the exhilarating experience we want.
It is sad that even among so many so-called Christians that worship is not about Christ. It seems it is all about us. Who are we really worshiping then?
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Tags: Christianity, worship Posted in Christianity, worship
July 21st, 2009 at 5:26 am
If I haven’t forgotten about myself and my desires on a Sunday morning, then I haven’t worshiped in spirit and in truth. It didn’t matter what kind of songs I sang because I missed the point.
July 21st, 2009 at 5:48 am
Interesting post. Just yesterday I had a conversation with a friend about “style over substance.” She was trying to decide to go for substance, which is what her children are asking for, or style, which is what her non-believing husband. Her husband perceived all christians and anything traditional to be hypocrital. Thankfully, the church she attends has the so called style but also substance.
July 21st, 2009 at 4:08 pm
Wow, does this ring true for me! I was raised in a charismatic church where only a couple hymns were sung, only the 1st verse though. (no hymns there today, how sad) The church I go to now sings nothing but hymns – all verses. It’s so meaningful and rich. So it’s not like a game show and thankfully not like a seance! – it’s worshipful. The funny thing is, amidst all the contemporary worship songs, those hymns I sang as a child really stuck.
I’m not saying that today’s praise music isn’t worshipful, but some of these mega-churches have become like circuses. I just want the attention to be on the Lord, not the performers. And for people to realize that emotionalism isn’t very weighty. The substance of the Word is, even though we don’t always get shivers while quietly reading it.
Sorry so long. Your post just struck a chord (no pun intended;) with me.
Jill´s last blog ..Sarah is engaged!
July 22nd, 2009 at 6:02 pm
Mama Archer,
I “know” you a wee bit from Bethany’s blog.
Finally came over to read yours, to find that we are likely neighbors!
We are in Willow.
Paula
July 27th, 2009 at 7:38 am
I think one thing many people tend to forget is that worship is daily, not just on ‘church day’ If they only get that ‘experience’ at a ‘church’ then they have missed the whole point of worshiping our Saviour.
Sisterlisa´s last blog ..Homeschool Opportunity at GGM
August 18th, 2009 at 7:07 pm
I agree with you and Sisterlisa! So many people have it all wrong about what makes worship meaningful. I want to ask them, “What if your electricity went out just before service was to begin.” Could you have “worship” without the amplified instruments or recorded music? Could you have “worship” without special lighting and power point presentations? Could you even worship with only 20 people instead of 200 or 2,000? Would the singing and message be as meaningful to you without lots of other people shouting amen or actually cheering? If the worship stops as soon as the service ends we weren’t worshipping God!
Thank you for time to reflect on this!