It has become more and more apparent to me that we have ‘boxed” our worship. While the bible says it is good to come together to worship the Lord, it saddens me to see many churches today possess little more than routine after routine. Routines stymie growth and is that want we truly want from our church? While it is good to have structure, routine should be secondary to the actual moving of God’s spirit that day. God’s spirit is ever moving and changing, so too should His church be!
My dear brother has abandoned “church”. And instead has preferred group fellowship. I can, in some ways, see his point of view. Many today are feeling like the old Peggy Lee’s hit song “Is that all there is?” I mean where is the confession of sin in our church? The bible clearly says in (James 5:16) “Confess your sins to one another, that you may be healed”.
What better time to do this than in the church, where all the people can send up their prayers right then and there to a VERY attentive God. Because we are contrite and humble before Him! And where is the personal testimonies of God’s power working in the lives of the people? Do we even have a special time in the service for people to come upfront and give their testimony? All these prayers we ask in church, where is the people coming up to give accountability and results to those prayers? Does not God want glory when we share our witness in church?
God want’s so much to show His love, power, and signs yet we, as individuals of the church, are seldom called to testify of it. I wonder how many truly say on the day of service “Wow, I can’t wait to hear what God has done this week?” Instead many view it as simply a “duty” they have to do.
And what about the stranger that walks in? Do the people or pastor take special notice and want to personally go to him or her and greet them warmly and even ask “Is there something you’d like to share or give testimony to?” All of this amounts to ever-changing ways of the service. Excitement gives rise to feeling like one should spread the word of their church.
Finally, let us pray that each one’s church will open up to the values of the original “churches” which I’m sure had all the things I’ve mentioned. Also, as a unique idea, God has given me the vision of seeing a “kingly chair” as beautiful as possible sitting right in the middle of the alter. The scripture says (Matt 18:20) ” When there are two or more gathered in my name, I will be in their midst” So if He’s there, why not have Him sit in our midst and we can visualize our beautiful King in our midst, sitting and accepting our praise and worship!
Godsloveandlaw's Blog 
May 2, 2010 at 4:41 am |
WOW–AFTER READING THIS ARTICLE– I HAVE TO SAY I AGREE– I HAVE ONLY BEEN AN ADVENTIST FOR 13MTHS BUT ONE THING I HAVE NOTICED THAT THE SERVICE FROM START TO FINISH IS BASED ON TIME– NOT LETTING THE HOLY SPIRIT MOVE — WITH THAT SAID IT CAUSES ME TO ASK –DO THEY ACKNOWLEDGE THE HOLY SPIRIT IN THEIR DAILY LIVES OR DO THEY JUST GO ABOUT THEIR DAILY ROUTINE- DOING WHATEVER=HEAVENLY FATHER YOU SAID IN ISAIAH 43- THAT YOU ARE DOING A NEW THING –HELP US TO SEE IT — TO THIRST FOR IT–AND TO WILLINGLY RECEIVE IT– IN JESUS NAME AMEN
May 2, 2010 at 4:49 am |
God Bless you Leona for this understanding. I say all this out of love not bitterness. Infact I will continue on in my church and maybe, with God’s will, I’ll be able to help bring some “change” that’s much needed!
May 2, 2010 at 10:14 am |
Man I could not have said it better myself…a church entrusted by God with the amazing job of spreading the last message of truth in the last days, yet a church so lifeless and devoid of her Creator’s Spirit. But for a certain it will not always be so. Amen.
May 2, 2010 at 10:19 am |
I think it is due, in large part, to what God said through EGW over a hundred years ago….that not ONE in twenty professed Adventists are truly walking with God. But soon enough the shaking will come and Christ’s bride will be purified as gold in the fire.
May 2, 2010 at 4:41 pm |
I agree Todd, this shaking starts with Leona, you and me! God has brought me into this church that I , with His help, may start to align it up. I feel so strongly that we can do alot to improve our “worship” service. Not with empty words but with powerful words and example after example of His ever moving love and power. Praise God he has given me friends like you and Leona, who also see this, and will want to spread the word to “improve” and glorify Him in a way that is truly pleasing to Him. Amen.
July 2, 2010 at 6:38 pm |
I agree 100%. We have to take time and return to our first love every day. If we all would come together as part of the Body of Christ and be in unity and one accord about seeking first the Kingdom of God, how much more would we allow the Spirit to move not only in our church but in our own personal lives. God bless!
July 2, 2010 at 7:28 pm |
Thank you Chasbell, for taking the time to read the post. Yes, our churches need an overhaul. God’s spirit must move and been spoken of in His house, lest we continually fall in the “routine”.
October 12, 2010 at 4:52 pm |
Oh so true. Our church does have the ‘space’ for testimonies, reuests etc.And thankfully (maybe because it’s such a small congregation?) we feel free to speak up and talk at certain times-of course not during the sermon or in the middle of SS 😉 But it’s one thing I found missing in other churches. Cold formalism has taken away the spirit of the church. I like all the points you mentioned.
October 12, 2010 at 5:05 pm |
Yes, Thandi, it is something I personally am trying to lead the people to “wake up”. You are so right ” Cold formalism” is the perfect word! I’ll do a post soon about the “power” of God and how it is being denied in the church as a whole. But “we” can do something. Spread the word that time has come to “open” up our church and let God move in it.
November 24, 2010 at 3:22 am |
I HAVE READ BACK 2THIS POINT. MY PHOXE STARTS W THE LATEST. I WANT 2 SAY THESE THINGS THEN I’M GOING 2 POST A PRAYER. THEN I WILL LEAVE U.I AGREE W THE COLD FORMALISM HOWEVER;THAT IS THE SYMPTOM THE CAUSE IN MY OPINION IS GRACE-OR RATHER THE LACK THEREOF IN THE UNDERSTANDING OF IT. IT COMES DOWN 2 IT NOT BEING TAUGHT IN THE CHURCHES, WHICH IS BEYOND ANY REASONING OR COMPREHENSION I CAN FATHOM, AS EGW BESPEAKS HEAVILY N HER WRITINGS. I SPENT 16 HRS RESEARHCHING THIS JUST A FEW SHORT DAYS AGO. THE ONLY CONCLUSION I AM ABLE 2 REACH IS THE PPL DON’T READ HER WRITINGS, IF THEY DID THEY WOULD UNDERSTAND HOW IMPORTANT IT IS HOW IT OPENS THE HEART. I’VE BEEN PRAYING ABOUT IT FOR 6 MONTHS & THE SPIRIT HAS LED ME 2 EG, I BELIEVE THO SHE DOESN’T COIN IT AS SUCH THERE IS A SYMBIOTE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEEN LAW & GRACE THAT ONE CAN NOT EXIST W/O THE OTHER. THAT THEY NURISH EACH OTHER. W/O ONE THE OTHER DIES. IE: THEY WHO R RAISED IN THE LAW DON’T UNDER- STAND THE NEED FOR GRACE IN THEIR OWN LIVES NOT SALVATION. I FIND THEY
November 24, 2010 at 3:45 am |
by & LG UNYEILDING & DEVOID OF FORGIVENESS & THE WORD LOVE R ALMOST A FOREIGN CONCEPT. THIS APPLIES ONLY TO FOR THE MOST PART, THEY WHO HAVE NEVER BEEN PART OF A CHURCH WHERE GRACE IS NOT TAUGHT. THE SUNDAY CHUCHES I FOUND WERE WARM AND INVITING THEY TREATED U LIKE ONE OF THE FAMILY, BUT IT PAINS ME TO SAY THAT THE SDA CHUCCH MAKE ME FEEL LIKE I’M BACK IN HISCHOOL & I’M NOT ONE OF THE COOL CROWD. 10 YRS AGO WHEN I WALKED IN U COULD FEEL THE SPIRITUAL TEMPRATURE DROP GOD SET ME TO WORK TO PRAYING FOR WARMTH. I SAT ALONE IN THE PEWS UNTIL MY FRIEND AND HER FAMILY JOINED IN ’06. WE HOLD SERIES ONCE ORTWICE A YR, WE R TOLD WE HAVE 1 OF THE WARMEST CHURCHES AROUND. I THANK THE SPIRIT 4 THAT & HE MOVES STRONG I FEEL HIM HEAVILY EVERY SERVICE BUT THERE IS ALWAYS WORK 2 B DONE. THIS Y I BELIEVE GOD IS IMPLANTING THEY WHO HAVE NEVER WANTED 2 STEP IN TO A CHURCH MYSELF, &
November 24, 2010 at 4:05 am |
THEY WHO R RAISED IN DARKNESS BUT DEEPLY ROOTED IN GRACE. IT’S LIKE BEING RAISED IN A FAMILY WHERE THEY R NOT PHYSICALLY DEMONSTRATIVE, OR THE WORDS I LOVE U, R ALMOST NEVER UTTERED. I WAS LIKE A ALIEN IN ALL MY HUSBAND’S FAMILIES. I’M VERY DEMONSTRATIVE & OUT SPOKEN SURPRISINGLY NOT ONE WAS LOYAL. IF IT IS NOT TAUGHT THEY DON’T GET IT. GO TO UR PASTOR’S ASK THAT A STUDY ON GRACE BE DONE & PRAY FOR THE FRUITS TO BE DELUGED ON EACH MEMBER, EACH VISITOR & EACH ON LOOKER IF A TELEVISION MINISTRY. WE CAN CHANGE THIS AS THE IMPLANTS OF THE SDA, IT IS OUR DUTY& OUR HONOR & OUR CHARGE IT IS Y WE R THERE TO SHOW THEY WHO KNOW NOT WHAT THE OTHER LIFE IS LIKE. WE OWE IT TO HIM, OUR SAVIOR, OUR LORD, OUR SHEPARD, OUR LAMB SLAIN 4 US. STAY CLEAN HOLY AND PURE ONLY IN THE BLOOD OF THE LAMB SLAIN ONCE, LAST, AND FOR ALL.
November 24, 2010 at 5:09 am |
I agree, it is up to “us” to get things rolling. I intend to do my part and by your dedicated words, I’m sure you are!
February 16, 2011 at 8:33 pm |
I HAVE TO INTERJECT THIS I ASKED MY PASTOR IF WE COULD STUDY GRACE HE READILY AGREED BUT, IT WAS A MAJORITY SHUT DOWN. THE CONFERENCE RULES OUR PASTOR’S W AN IRON YOKE PRAY FOR HIM PLEASE! HE IS A SPIRIT FILLED GODLY MAN WHO LISTENS TO GOD AND IS UERY CLOSE TO HIM. THEY HAVE TRIED TO MOVE HIM HE HAS REFUSED AND AS A RESULT HE IS UNDER THEIR SCRUTINY HIS NAME IS IS LYNN. GOD WANTS HIM THERE TO LEAD THAT FLOCK AND I’VE BEEN PRAYING FERVENTLY FOR HIM JOIN ME PLEASE AND FOR UR OWN AS WELL.
February 17, 2011 at 1:20 am |
Wow! Your pastor can’t even study with you?? That’s not right. I will pray for Lynn and for mine as I always do.