Thanks Addison. It is very good.
Carleeta
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From: O.Addison Gethers
To: Deaf-blind inspirational life groups ; [EMAIL PROTECTED] ; Resting place
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Sent: Wednesday, October 01, 2008 2:31 AM
Subject: {dbilg} Worship wars devotional from streaming faith Sept.30
September 30, 2008
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Worship Wars
Alan Riley
Have you ever heard the phrase "Worship Wars"? It is frequently used to
describe what has happened in many of our churches over the last couple of
decades
as worship styles have changed.
The two words that make up the phrase "Worship Wars" ought not to go
together. Worship is holy and sacred. Wars can on rare occasions be
justified, but
most often they are the opposite of holy and sacred. "Worship" by definition
is all about God. "Worship Wars" are most assuredly not about God. Worship
Wars are all about us, about our personal preferences and what we want.
For those of us who are students of church history, we know the current
"Worship Wars" are nothing new. As music changes in society, the music that is
considered to be acceptable in the church changes slowly behind it. If that
process never happened, we would still be worshiping the Lord through the
use of first century Hebrew tunes and rhythms! Just think about it - at one
time, Gregorian Chants were the new "contemporary" music being used in the
church!
I read an article recently about an incident that happened at a church in
Canada. This controversy over music in worship wreaked havoc and division in
this congregation for over a decade. Speeches were made. Petitions were
signed. A bunch of meetings were held. Threats were made. Families were divided.
Many people left the church.
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Was it the older members rebelling against singing choruses or the younger
members complaining about singing the old hymns? No, the controversy was over
whether or not is was appropriate to use an organ in the worship services,
and it raged among the members of St. Andrews during the 80s. But not the
1980s...
it was the 1880s!
This is a subject that is near and dear to my heart because the vast majority
of my ministry career has been spent as a worship leader. And as is usually
the case, the heart of the matter is a matter of the heart.
When we take our eyes off the One we are worshiping and focus on how we are
worshiping, we have a heart problem. When we cause or even participate in
conflict
in the church over what boils down to our personal preferences, we have a
heart problem.
There are those who would say they are not fighting for their personal
preferences, they are fighting to keep worship holy and acceptable to God. I
would
say to you if you believe that your cultural preferences are tantamount to
God's will, you have a heart problem.
Nowhere in God's word does it spell out to us our style of worship. The
closest it comes to that is in two very similar passages in Paul's letters -
Ephesians
5:19 and Colossians 3:16 - where we are told to worship God and admonish each
other using "Psalms and Hymns and Spiritual Songs." Bible scholars and
historians
disagree on the exact application of those terms, but all agree they
encompass a wide variety of musical styles. In other words, God's words tells
us
to use a wide variety of musical styles to worship God and encourage each
other.
No matter what style of worship you employ in worship, God always focuses in
on your heart. He told the Samaritan woman at the well that the Father is
seeking for those who will worship him in Spirit and in Truth. (John 4:23)
Are you or your church embroiled in the Worship Wars? If so, I urge you to
surrender immediately... surrender your will, your desires and your personal
preferences to God and direct your focus toward the One Who alone is worthy
of our worship and adoration.
Worship is not about us, it is about Him.
Alan Riley
O. Addison Gethers
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