Return to Worship
I just finished reading a fine article in Dec. 24, 2007 issue of USNews & World report by Jay Tolson titled: “A Return to Tradition.” If you have not read it yet, go on line and do so. It is well worth your time.
While some may think that I regard traditional worship structure as confining, the opposite is really true. I savor the worship that is bible based and bible filled. I would welcome the chance to worship in the same way in every country that I would chance to be in. In the “Old days,” mass in America was the same as mass in Africa, Japan or France. I could take my Missal to a Spanish church and follow along because I could read the English to myself and still be fed by the Word.
As an Evangelical/Holiness Christian, I don’t like to guess as to whether or not there is any scripture in Worship or if it is just a bunch of Happy Songs. Maybe the Preacher will use a verse or two in their sermon. I’m not saying that is the case , mind you, but I have been in churches that made me wonder if they did know any scripture because I didn’t hear any while I was there. One of the goals of Wholeness is to recognize that Scripture must be used more extensively, so I welcome the tradition forms of Worship to expose the people to more of the Word and to teach them how to pray collectively.
What I would like to see in all the churches is more meat and less hype. Tradition worship may lead us toward that as the non-traditional worship did in its advent. I also welcome the Eucharist as Worship. To those who say that having it every Sunday will cause it to lose its value I say, if that is the case then perhaps it does not have enough value in your church now. Jesus said whenever you do this, do it in remembrance of me, not if you do this once in a while. To me the communion is the most sacred form of our worship of God’s Salvation. But I would not demand that you accept my views. I welcome communion every chance I get and ask if the church has open communion or closed before I partake. I would not offend others, by demanding to receive the elements. I will join in my heart in their celebration of the Pascal Sacrifice.
I don’t want people to get me wrong. I believe that worship is a matter of choice. I like churches that have strong adult bible study groups, dynamic worship expressions and old time gospel songs and contemporary music. If fact there are not to many types of worship that I don’t enjoy. So, if you are being filled by the worship service your church is providing, God bless you. I like traditional worship services more, even though I have not been a member of a church that provide such for twenty years or so. Right now, I’m looking for a new place to fellowship and I think that I would like to go to return to a traditional worship expression, that’s all.
What I would really like is a charismatic church with traditional values, lots of scripture teachings, prayer studies and outreach ministries.
Similar Posts:
- Sharing your Bible
- Wholeness: Communion of Believers/9
- Wholeness: Discipleship/7a
- Wholeness of Christ (the preface)
- Revere The Lord
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