Recently, I left the question open as to who is responsible for preparing and participating in worship. The leader, right? Let’s look at King David, a king who took leadership seriously.
When you read chapter 6 of 2nd Samuel, you read how David, being mindful of earlier irreverent acts, wanted to give God his very best in bringing the ark to Jerusalem. David gave great sacrifices and abandoned his own thoughts about being dignified in the eyes of people. David was focused on giving the best of his energy, thoughts, and possessions to God in a display that said God was the priority. David was the leader, but he was not alone in this time of praising God. Verse 15 says that, David “and the entire house of Israel brought up the ark of the LORD with shouts and the sound of trumpets.” They were in it together. They were prepared and participating in praising God- together.
Who prepares our weekly worship? Clergy? Staff? Members of the church? While it is true that the church staff (clergy and lay people) “put together” worship, they are not alone in their responsibility. Every worshipper is responsible for preparing for worship. The average person may never be a part of selecting scriptures or hymns, but there is more to it than that. Everyone should prepare for worship by reading the scripture ahead of time. Pray about it. Meditate on it. What is God saying to you about worship and the life of the church in that scripture?
As far as participation, there are more than the clergy, the choir and the ushers who participate in the worship service. Every worshipper should come prepared and ready to participate in worship by entering the worship space with awe at God’s presence and joy for the opportunity to praise Him along with all the other voices. Every worshipper should participate by being focused in on what the readings, prayers and songs have to do with honoring and revering God, and then be ready to hear and receive what God has to say to us as individuals and as a community of faith.
Yes, those who facilitate and plan the worship service readings, sermon, and music have a large responsibility as to the flow and logistics of worship. But they can not be alone in their activity. Worship is sometimes said to be “good” when the music or the preaching went well, or when something hit an emotional high during that hour. When it goes “bad”, it is the staff who have surely missed something and not created an atmosphere where the congregation is fed and filled.
The church, meaning the clergy and the laity, the staff and the membership are responsible together for giving our best in worship. We are all responsible together for preparing an atmosphere where God is the priority and where the people come together, seeking to give their best worship, their best prayers, their best quiet time of listening, their best tithes and offerings, and their best praises to the one who gave His best, His only Son for us. What are you willing to give?
When you read chapter 6 of 2nd Samuel, you read how David, being mindful of earlier irreverent acts, wanted to give God his very best in bringing the ark to Jerusalem. David gave great sacrifices and abandoned his own thoughts about being dignified in the eyes of people. David was focused on giving the best of his energy, thoughts, and possessions to God in a display that said God was the priority. David was the leader, but he was not alone in this time of praising God. Verse 15 says that, David “and the entire house of Israel brought up the ark of the LORD with shouts and the sound of trumpets.” They were in it together. They were prepared and participating in praising God- together.
Who prepares our weekly worship? Clergy? Staff? Members of the church? While it is true that the church staff (clergy and lay people) “put together” worship, they are not alone in their responsibility. Every worshipper is responsible for preparing for worship. The average person may never be a part of selecting scriptures or hymns, but there is more to it than that. Everyone should prepare for worship by reading the scripture ahead of time. Pray about it. Meditate on it. What is God saying to you about worship and the life of the church in that scripture?
As far as participation, there are more than the clergy, the choir and the ushers who participate in the worship service. Every worshipper should come prepared and ready to participate in worship by entering the worship space with awe at God’s presence and joy for the opportunity to praise Him along with all the other voices. Every worshipper should participate by being focused in on what the readings, prayers and songs have to do with honoring and revering God, and then be ready to hear and receive what God has to say to us as individuals and as a community of faith.
Yes, those who facilitate and plan the worship service readings, sermon, and music have a large responsibility as to the flow and logistics of worship. But they can not be alone in their activity. Worship is sometimes said to be “good” when the music or the preaching went well, or when something hit an emotional high during that hour. When it goes “bad”, it is the staff who have surely missed something and not created an atmosphere where the congregation is fed and filled.
The church, meaning the clergy and the laity, the staff and the membership are responsible together for giving our best in worship. We are all responsible together for preparing an atmosphere where God is the priority and where the people come together, seeking to give their best worship, their best prayers, their best quiet time of listening, their best tithes and offerings, and their best praises to the one who gave His best, His only Son for us. What are you willing to give?
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