I have an appreciate for differences in worship styles and I've always been bothered by the "Worship Wars" that too often occur in the Church. I think of the early church and of persecuted churches and realize that they probably weren't standing around arguing about instruments or the type of music that would be sung. But I wonder if they ever had the problem of some of the music distracting them from worship rather than drawing them to worship.
I have attended very large churches with the latest and greatest technological gadgets, giant screens, and contemporary music. But I found myself walking away from church week after week feeling like I'd been at Christian concert or a sports event rather than a time of drawing closer to God. When things are so loud, I find myself stressed & irritated and not able to enter a spirit of worship. I've looked around me and see people dancing, clapping, and sometimes whistling and all I want is some quiet so that I can hear God and I can respond in my own way to what I've heard. So what do you do if your "worship language" is different than the one that your church speaks?
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I have left two churches because I could not get into worship there so that has been my answer for me, but I would like to hear what others have to say about it.
George Krickl said: /i>
I remember being taught at a church I was once affiliated, that we need to come expecting from the Lord, already in worship to Him before we even get in the car to come to church. That we should already be warmed up before we enter His House.
Not sure IF that's sound advice or just PR...
Jeremy Hatch said:
Many years at that church, worship was just me singing the songs, going through the motions, even with the exceptional worship leader we had. During those years I found myself in the throne room in my vehicle more often than any other place.
I wonder - does it matter "where" one worships the Lord? Does it have to be a corporate setting to be right? There is so much written of about worship and I have come to agree, our lives, all that we do, is supposed to be a form or type of worship to the Lord.
Corporate worship is important as we see when David organized music and singing in the temple.
I think that worship should be done privately and corporately...and yes I believe our lives are to be worshipful at all times; recognizing the presence of a Holy God and His working in our lives at all times...yes, yes, and more yes!
Jeremy Hatch said:
I attend a particular church on the weekend that is contemporary (loud music, drums--more like a concert) but during the week, I attend one that is quieter and more worshipful to me (acoustical guitar). In one environment, I feel aggitated and in the other, I feel drawn into the presence of God--the tension of my week melts away, my heart softens, etc. In the one church I feel free to kneel before the Lord as the Spirit leads. In the other, I do not feel that freedom.
I am noticing your worship language resonates from a soft-quiet setting more so than in the concert style.
At "that" church I have been speaking of, the setting was concert style I guess, and very ummmm... Hillsongs-ish. Our worship leader 'reeeeeeked' of the Holy Spirit when she would lead us in worship...many times at the first note of her voice I would no longer notice where I was physically. All I had on my mind was the love I felt to Him.
At this church there would be most of us with our hands raised toward the Lord, others would be on their knees with hands raised, and very few would just standing there singing (me for a few years).
Yet, when I am alone, listening in my vehicle to a CD, I would find myself in worship listening to pretty much any kind of style of music. Although, whenever I listen to Marty Goetz, I am automatically in worship to my Lord, and have noticed I am less stressed at my job because of my time. (note to self, listen more to this guy - lol)
All in all, I have to agree with you, worship is in a degree varied on our relationship to the Lord...
Jenni Biegler said:
Good question, what one does if your worship language differs... after praying about it, listen for God's leading. If it's still difficult to worship there, I guess I would look for another place to worship.
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