Ok, here’s a question that’s very practical for me.
My job requires me to work every Sunday service that we have. Honestly, I don’t get a chance to really pay too close attention to the service, and I’m certainly not worshiping.
That’s ok. I’m fine with that.
I go to the Monday night Arlington service, but during the service I run the Keynote program (PowerPoint for all you non-mac users out there) during the worship and the sermon.
My question is: is this ok?
Should I have a service where I don’t “do” anything? Or is it better that during my “worship” service (the Monday night service) I’m busy serving?
I’m particularly curious as to the answers of those of you who are worship leaders and production people.
I honestly see it two ways. On the one hand, I think that it can be good to have a time to relax and focus on God during worship. On the other hand, I think that it could be a byproduct of our consumerist, TV-obsessed culture that makes us feel like we need to have someone essentially deliver it to us with no effort on our part.
I’ve definitely struggled with that at times. I think what’s important is not “going to a service” but being sure that you are spending time worshipping and being fed outside your job. Worship isn’t about just singing some songs. It’s possible to go to a service and not worship, even if you are singing along. We need to be sure we aren’t neglecting our own relationships with Christ.
i do think it is important to be able to worship at a service you are not working. however, it depends where your heart is. worship is a lifestyle and comes from within. if you feel that you are not worshiping because you are working, then i think it is important to go worship where you can. I know that if i just go on monday nights, my heart is distracted or interrupted because i am thinking about how much i could be doing or what i need to do to help out. so i am not personally one on one worshiping with God. so i go on sunday night, when i can focus on the words of the songs, how God is speaking to me through them, how and what the message is meaning to my life and everything- and only focused on God (and not anything else) then i am truly worshiping and i need that often.
i believe that we all need that outside of our work… but it is very important to be always preparing your heart for worship no matter what though because we can get distracted so easily in life, thoughts and such. (and that is why i sit in the first couple of rows. haha it has helped me better focus and remain in that state of worship the whole way through and it carries on to my life…) it’s a continual process…everyday thing…worship that is.
Ahhh – so define “worship”… is “worship” only singing and praising God?
OR, is “worship” anything that we do that involves our whole being that says “God, YOU alone are WORTH my dedication, effort, time, love, praise, and wherever I am giving my ALL to you and you alone, I am attempting as best I can in my human state to demonstrate that you are WORTHY”
In other words – to me – when I am singing and playing guitar, I am worshipping. When I am studying theology and really digging in and getting excited about what God is showing me, this is worship too. When I am working with everything that is in me, totally absorbed in whatever tasks God has given me in the day – I am giving God my all, that is also worship.
But the more important thing is, What does God say to you about it?
Yes you need to go and just worship. Why do so many of us think we don’t need to stop and worship God, yet we expect others to do it?
How much of a self-feeder are you? Are you gaining depth of knowledge and insight from your own devotional time with God? Is your study of the word both personally and corporately, like in your small group, causing you to live differently? What would you tell someone who said, “I don’t need to go to church, I’ve got a personal relationship with God”?
I don’t think your answers to these questions fully determine the answer to your question, but they may help?
Scratch everything I just said and listen to Rich!!!!!!
I like Jenny’s question too!
I think the answer can be found in thr title of your blog. You need to worship.
Don’t you hate me
I think you should have a service you go to without serving. Don’t let pride tell you that you don’t need it.