Things in church

There are many things about the Church these days that are concerning if not disturbing. I probably need to include a disclaimer here. I know really only the Assemblies of God (and I am limited in the number of Assemblies of God churches that I have experienced), so I cannot speak to other denominations. I realize that these range from very open, free and demonstrative, such as the Church of God in Christ, to more formal and quiet like so many that are more liturgical in their outlook.

I also have to admit that my choices are not necessarily those of most of a congregation. I am, though I do not want to admit it, part of an older group of people. When I talk about wanting to have the church return to different things, many will say it is just because I am old. I like to think that this is not true. I want my writing to be as f ree as possible from my own biases, whatever they may be. I want to speak to things that are genuine issues and not related to my own issues or tastes.

That said, I want to speak today about some of what makes church services what they are. I have already spoken in another blog about worship in the church, so I will not say a great deal here. I do want to say that it saddens me that those who are given charge of worship in our services (often now limited to Sunday morning) do not really know how to LEAD a congregation in worship. I believe that it is the work of the worship leader (or leaders as is most often the case these days) to lead a congregation into worship. This is not about browbeating people, telling them what to do or putting on some kind of show even involving lights or dark and smoke. It is about leading by example, taking people from whatever circumstance they had been in prior to coming to church, to intimate worship, from the outer courts as it were to the most holy place. Most churches are simply lacking in this area.

Another good example is the altar. It seems to me that every church should have an altar. I do not mean just a physical altar; I mean an atmosphere that encourages people to go to the altar and respond to what God has been saying to them during that service. The first people at the altar, in my opinion, should be those in pastoral leadership, including the lead pastor. I fear that pastors do not want to be seen as weak and vulnerable and for that reason do not want to take their own responses to the altar. This is dangerous ground if it is true. It will lead to pastors living as if they are above needing to respond to the prompting and voice of the Holy Spirit.

Church services should be welcoming, should draw us into intimate, deep worship, and should allow us the freedom to respond to what God is saying to us in that moment. God give us those kind of churches, leaders, and congregations.