Comments on: Worship Service - Idolatry on Sunday Mornings, Pt. 3 http://www.worshipmatters.com/2005/12/worship-service-idolatry-on-sunday-mornings-part-3/ Resources for Leading Worship from Bob Kauflin Mon, 08 Sep 2008 04:42:53 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.6 By: James Paul http://www.worshipmatters.com/2005/12/worship-service-idolatry-on-sunday-mornings-part-3/#comment-44 James Paul Thu, 08 Dec 2005 02:10:12 +0000 http://www.worshipmatters.com?p=32#comment-44 Bob, Thank you for these thoughts on worship experience and liturgy. I'm a 38 year old worship leader in a charismatic church. My theological bent is leaning more and more reformed. Having served in churches most of my life I've become convinced that church liturgy can and does distract people from the very thing it's designed to move us towards; namely, the presence of God. Church, for many of us, is a Sunday circus full of entertaining religious propaganda we've been conditioned to consume. George Barna's book, Revolution, addresses this gnawing hunger for spiritual relevance. Many Christians are leaving the four walls seeking a more organic faith expression. Jesus said the issue isn't "where" we meet. (John 4:21) The issue is the gospel. We must by faith receive this precious Christ. He is the vine. We are the receivers of a Kingdom which cannot be shaken. Unfortunately, organized religion often gets in the way. Church leaders are much to blame. But every Christian is resposible to live by grace, through faith. (Gal.) I'm not leaving my church. I've been there 18 years. It's a great church. My eyes are simply open to fact that our religious institutions can easily become sweat shops full of human activity while lacking the power of God, as you stated. I heard that C.J. Mahaney once said, "in every man of grace there is a legalist struggling to get out." I think this idea applies corporately, as well. Thank you for your blog. Happy Holidays! Bob,

Thank you for these thoughts on worship experience and liturgy.

I’m a 38 year old worship leader in a charismatic church. My theological bent is leaning more and more reformed.

Having served in churches most of my life I’ve become convinced that church liturgy can and does distract people from the very thing it’s designed to move us towards; namely, the presence of God. Church, for many of us, is a Sunday circus full of entertaining religious propaganda we’ve been conditioned to consume. George Barna’s book, Revolution, addresses this gnawing hunger for spiritual relevance. Many Christians are leaving the four walls seeking a more organic faith expression.

Jesus said the issue isn’t “where” we meet. ( John 4:21

) The issue is the gospel. We must by faith receive this precious Christ. He is the vine. We are the receivers of a Kingdom which cannot be shaken. Unfortunately, organized religion often gets in the way. Church leaders are much to blame. But every Christian is resposible to live by grace, through faith. (Gal.)

I’m not leaving my church. I’ve been there 18 years. It’s a great church. My eyes are simply open to fact that our religious institutions can easily become sweat shops full of human activity while lacking the power of God, as you stated. I heard that C.J. Mahaney once said, “in every man of grace there is a legalist struggling to get out.” I think this idea applies corporately, as well.

Thank you for your blog. Happy Holidays!

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