Transformational Worship
Tuesday, October 1, 2019
I was part of the “worship wars” of the nineties in which well intentioned pastors, and worship leaders sought to teach their people a new song. Unfortunately for the sheep of those flocks changes were typically shoved down people’s throats as dry hay. The conflicts which resulted revealed a greater problem. In fact, the problem was symptomatic exposing a fundamental misunderstanding of worship. Obviously the responsibility should be placed squarely on the shoulders of the well intentioned, leadership that took their people through these things and I being one of them. During those wars I realized that I knew very little about true Biblical worship. At that time worship was a desire and passion, but it was very shallow in its approach. The Apostle Paul opens a few slumbering saints eyes when he defines true, Biblical worship in Romans 12:1-2 I appeal to you therefore, brethren, and beg of you in view of [all] the mercies of God, to make a decisive dedication of your bodies [presenting all your members and faculties] as a living sacrifice, holy (devoted, consecrated) and well pleasing to God, which is your reasonable (rational, intelligent) service and spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this world (this age), [fashioned after and adapted to its external, superficial customs], but be transformed (changed) by the [entire] renewal of your mind [by its new ideals and its new attitude], so that you may prove [for yourselves] what is the good and acceptable and perfect will of God, even the thing which is good and acceptable and perfect [in His sight for you].
To the Apostle Paul worship was more than a song, or body posture you assumed. To him worship was a sacrifice or offering presented to God. The very first sacrifice of worship was to be that of the entire being or body. Obviously this would involve first, and foremost, the sacrifice of our soul – mind, will, emotions, and personality. An interesting concept in a church culture that elevates the mind and crowns king, the personality. True worship focused on Jesus, not the self. During the worship wars one of the catch phrases was “seeker sensitive.” Are your worship services “seeker sensitive?” Is your preaching, or teaching, “seeker sensitive?” Which was another misguided, well-intentioned approach at being self-centered. Church santuaries began to swell with “seekers” during those time. Unfortunately, the findings were that more left the church, as a result. Worship according to Paul involved holiness, devotion, consecration, and a pursuit of being well pleasing to God. Worship also involved a holiness that was more than a religious list of “do’s and “don’t’s.” It was a separation from conforming to a culture that was anti-Christ, and anti-Holy Spirit. True worship was transformative in which the person’s thinking was radically changed. So much so that the the transformation was called a metamorphosis.
Can we say that we are transformed, or meta-morphosized through worship? I can’t say that many songs of worship have transformed me. Nor could I say that a body posture achieved that goal. What did transform me was a combination of all the above. This is another reason that we seek God through worship. For in that pursuit we see how far we’ve wandered away from the narrow path which leads up to Jesus. Which brings up another point – its narrow. There aren’t many jostling each other to walk up this path. And may I add, that the higher we ascend, the narrower the ledges become? So how are those appetizers? Have you tried the “dip?” Its been my experience that the dip isn’t enough. You need the fire of the “Salsa.” All of which will make you want to plunge into the Waters of the Spirit.
