Gathered worship, local church worship, corporate worship.
“All of this came to mind when I read Bob Smietana’s article for Religious News Service entitled If Jesus showed up today, would he play guitar? He was reporting on the Conference on Contemporary Praise and Worship held this summer in Nashville, in which scholars came together to discuss, among other things, ‘whether worship music has become a new sacrament.’” - Gene Veith
“When we hear about being ‘discipled,’ we often picture a one-on-one relationship or a small group setting, and those are important ways in which we grow as Christians. But have you thought about how discipleship happens through the gathered church?” - 9 Marks
The apostle Paul finishes his sentence about singing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs with the phrase: “submitting to one another out of reverence for Christ” (v. 21). When we intergenerationally submit to one another, with reverence for Christ, our personal pride and preference issues fade into the background as we consider others as better than ourselves.
“Last week we discussed Roman Catholic controversies over worship. So this week we’ll look at Protestant worship, specifically, at the influence of Charles G. Finney (1792-1875). He used to be controversial, but his worship innovations can now be found across virtually all Protestant traditions.” - Veith
“The debate over raising hands in worship resurfaces every few years…. Scripture answers that question directly, and the answer appears more often across the Bible than a quick read would suggest.” - Sam Storms
The songs we sing are with us throughout our daily lives away from church. The importance of choosing congregational music that aligns with the theology our churches uphold cannot be overstated.
“Around 1 in 4 Protestant churchgoers (24 percent) say their church has a very liturgical style…. (42 percent) says their church has some liturgical elements, while 27 percent say their church has none of the liturgical style and 7 percent are unsure…. (75 percent) are satisfied with their current worship style.” - Baptist Press
“When church members bring their own Bible, something subtle but deeply important takes place. They move from being passive observers to active participants in the worship experience. The screen presents a passage for the moment. A personal Bible invites an ongoing relationship.” - Thom Rainer
“One of the most overlooked tools for growth is honest self-examination—asking ourselves where our habits, patterns, and expectations fall short of the biblical vision for gathered worship.” - 9 Marks
“We honestly hope that the next several minutes of conversation, pastor, will help you perhaps re envision the role that confessions of faith and other documents can play in the life of your church.” - TGC
