You can tell what is important to a congregation by how they worship.
Most churches today (and corporations for that matter) write a paragraph or two about what’s important to them: their vision, mission, purpose, and values - you know, the official verbiage that guides the church as an organization. Those statements are good and they’re probably necessary, but they're not what we’re talking about.
We’re talking about observing through their words, actions, and symbols what they express to be important. It’s like when you enter someones home and you notice the walls are covered with stuffed animal heads with their protruding array of antlers - trophies of hunting expeditions. Outdoors adventure, bows or guns are important to those folks. Or in another home where shelves and display cases are filled with heirloom antiques. Family heritage has high value under that roof. OK, you’ve got the picture.
As a ministry couple, when visiting a new church, our experience travels through a lens of 30 years of vocational ministry. We find ourselves asking, “What appears to be important to this congregation?” We see the answer through observing their printed and projected information. We hear it by listening to their song lyrics, their song introductions, their greetings, their announcements. We notice it by watching their interactions. We experience it through the effect of the architecture and aesthetics. We listen closely to the upfront leaders. We listen for God to be named, Jesus lifted up, the Spirit invoked. We note the balance of stories being told. Does this church tell God’s story or theirs?
Not long ago I (Peter) worshiped with a congregation in the “Silicon Valley” of the Phoenix area. It was clear to me as I stepped through the glass doors that the “church as family” was of great importance to them. Everyone wore name tags (though I missed getting one somehow) and many “hellos” and hugs were exchanged. There was a buzz of loving friendship. The regular attendees were on the lookout for newcomers and readily initiated a hearty “welcome” and a warm handshake.
If you value community, belonging, and connection, a church like this is worth a second look!
What did your church say was important to you last Sunday? Write a comment.
We have been at our church, Calvary Chapel Aurora, for a little over 2 years. Almost everything I see them do, whether music, message, outreach or technology, points to Jesus. They don't try to be cool and flashy, or spend hours arguing about the color of the carpet. They simply preach the Bible and let the Holy Spirit work. People are responding to the name of Jesus. I'm more excited about church now than I had been for years.
ReplyDeleteThat's wonderful, Mike.
ReplyDeleteJohn and I have been at our church, Valley Evangelical Free, for 24 years. We've seen the church go through a lot of changes in that time. I remember, when we attended the very first time, the congregation of around 250 were singing out of hymnals, being accompanied by a piano AND an organ, very similar to First Baptist, Castro Valley. But the pastor who introduced the hymns loved the Lord and made comments which ushered us into the very presence of God through those hymns. We now have a "worship" band, just like everyone else. The congregation is around 500 at each of 2 services, hymnals have been replaced with overheads and the hymns with choruses. But we're still being ushered into the presence of God. Jesus is the reason and object of the worship at our church.
ReplyDeleteI think it's interesting that your experience of God in the worship gathering has remained constant despite the significant change in music style over the past decade and a half. Your comment underscores for me that God-honoring worship is not dependent upon the style of the music (or style of preaching for that matter) but keeping the main thing the main thing - responding to God's grace through following Jesus.
ReplyDeleteEnjoying the discussion........thought provoking. keep the blogs coming.
ReplyDeleteLindy