Many of the discussions about worship center around matters of style: is it contemporary or traditional. The answer to that question often centers around the style of music that is used and the types of instruments that are played. At that point, preference in worship often comes down to questions of personal taste. Do you prefer chocolate or vanilla ice cream?
While matters of personal taste may come into play at some point, the above way of looking at it is not really adequate given the seriousness of what we are doing. After all, there seems to be an assumption, perhaps not consciously considered, that God will like whatever we like. Is assuming that God will sign off on how we want to do things really a good way of looking at it.
Because we are meeting at the summons of the God who created the vast universe, our worship is reverent and serious. Seriousness does not imply a lack of joy. After all, the God who created the stars is also the one who brought about the forgiveness of our sins by the death of Christ. He is both vastly beyond us and personal with us. The fact that he meets with us is a big deal.
So, what does that mean in practical terms? Arising out of the commands of Scripture, we see Christian worship as a sort of conversation between God and the congregation. God summons us to come before him and worship. We respond to his call with praise. Realizing that we are before a holy God, we confess our sins. God assures us of his good will, having already given Christ Jesus for our eternal salvation, and offers to us full forgiveness and pardon. We confess our faith and bring our prayer requests before him. He feeds us with his word and with the sacraments. We respond again with praise and he dismisses us with his good words (the benediction).
Seen in this way, the elements of worship take a form that is God centered and full of scriptural content. It is also Christ centered and Gospel centered in its orientation. When we think through the significance of what we are doing, we find joy and rest, even while we go about our worship in a serious way.
We would invite you to come and join this “conversation” along with us.