I am part of our church's pastor search committee. As a member of that committee I have spent more time recently in thought and prayer about what a worship service should be like, about pastor styles, and even about church styles. I don't know if my personal beliefs about church and worship are considered by some to be right or wrong. But that's the thing, they are MY personal beliefs and how I feel led to worship our Creator God.
In having the opportunity to hear a few different pastors preach, and see some different services while visiting family churches, I have learned that you don't know your best/favorite/greatest personal worship style until you try several out. The most effective worship style for you is one that brings you into the closest presence of God that you can experience. That may be traditional hymns, long prayers, soft background music, or loud music, hand raising, and lights. Or it could be some blend of the two that brings you into God's presence. The most important thing is that you get there, not how you do it.
I'm a small town and small church kind of guy. But that doesn't mean that "big" churches aren't right for some people. It was really interesting for me to watch people at the large church we were at recently and see young people in suits, old people in jeans and t-shirts, some folks in shorts, and others in khakis and polo shirts. To me, church is supposed to be a group of people with the same beliefs, not the same styles. You can dress in the finest three piece suit they make and show up at church, but if your heart isn't right, you won't be there to worship. Likewise, you may go in shorts and a t-shirt and have one of the most moving worship experiences of your life. As Christians, we all know, and preach, that it's what's on the inside that counts. But then we get upset over what so and so wears to church and we wonder why the world sees us as hypocrites.
I strongly believe in leading by example. As a Christian, I am supposed to pattern my life after my example, Jesus Christ. I'm supposed to follow him and set an example for my friends, my family, for the lost around me, and especially for my son as he grows up. So Sunday at church, I don't know what kind of clothes I'll show up in. But I do know this, I will have done absolutely everything I could that morning to prepare my heart to be there to worship God. My job has a dress code, my church will not.
Will you join me in gathering to worship God, learn His Word, and fellowship with believers regardless of what it all looks or sounds like?
In having the opportunity to hear a few different pastors preach, and see some different services while visiting family churches, I have learned that you don't know your best/favorite/greatest personal worship style until you try several out. The most effective worship style for you is one that brings you into the closest presence of God that you can experience. That may be traditional hymns, long prayers, soft background music, or loud music, hand raising, and lights. Or it could be some blend of the two that brings you into God's presence. The most important thing is that you get there, not how you do it.
I'm a small town and small church kind of guy. But that doesn't mean that "big" churches aren't right for some people. It was really interesting for me to watch people at the large church we were at recently and see young people in suits, old people in jeans and t-shirts, some folks in shorts, and others in khakis and polo shirts. To me, church is supposed to be a group of people with the same beliefs, not the same styles. You can dress in the finest three piece suit they make and show up at church, but if your heart isn't right, you won't be there to worship. Likewise, you may go in shorts and a t-shirt and have one of the most moving worship experiences of your life. As Christians, we all know, and preach, that it's what's on the inside that counts. But then we get upset over what so and so wears to church and we wonder why the world sees us as hypocrites.
I strongly believe in leading by example. As a Christian, I am supposed to pattern my life after my example, Jesus Christ. I'm supposed to follow him and set an example for my friends, my family, for the lost around me, and especially for my son as he grows up. So Sunday at church, I don't know what kind of clothes I'll show up in. But I do know this, I will have done absolutely everything I could that morning to prepare my heart to be there to worship God. My job has a dress code, my church will not.
Will you join me in gathering to worship God, learn His Word, and fellowship with believers regardless of what it all looks or sounds like?
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