I read an
interesting article on the subject of worship written by Rick Warren, pastor of
Saddleback Church. This article was so helpful to me that I wanted to pass on
to you some of the principles I gleaned from it.
“Worship is expressing our love to God for who He is, what He has said, and what He is doing.” There are many appropriate ways to express this love to God: praying, singing, trusting, giving, testifying, listening, thanking, and responding to His word; whatever the expression God-not us-is the focus and center of our worship.
“Although unbelievers cannot truly worship, they can watch believers worship.” That is why at First Free we design our services to be worshipful and seeker friendly. We believe you can have both without compromising either.
Unbelievers can observe the joy we feel, see how we respond to God’s word, how worship encourages, strengthens, and changes us. They may not be able to explain it but worship is and becomes a powerful witness. On the day of Pentecost God’s presence was so evident in the disciples’ worship that a crowd of people (Acts 2:6) grew to 3,000 converts.
Why were 3,000 converted? Because they felt God’s presence and they understood the message. God’s presence must be sensed in our worship services. More people are won to Christ by feeling God’s presence than by all our apologetic arguments combined.
Warren states “I believe there is an intimate connection between worship and evangelism.” When we recruit worshipers, that’s called evangelism. John 4:23 states ‘the Father seeks worshipers.’
On the other hand, worship, being in God’s presence, provides the motivation for responding: evangelism. Isaiah had a powerful worship experience and responded ‘Here am I send me.’ In genuine worship God’s presence is felt, God’s pardon is offered, God’s purposes are revealed, God’s power is displayed. These things can create a desire to the unbeliever to want to know God.
Because genuine worship can have such a profound impact on unbelievers, we need to be very sensitive to their fears, hang-ups, and needs when they are present in our worship services. And we want them to be present. That’s why we are always encouraging you to invite your unbelieving friends.
We must also be willing to adjust our worship practices. Paul commanded the Corinthians to do this (see 1 Corinthians 14:23). Let me remind you of some important truths:
1) Making a service comfortable for the unchurched doesn’t mean changing your theology. It means changing the environment of the service.
2) Being sensitive to nonbelievers doesn’t not limit what you say but it will affect how you say it. We must make both the worship and message understandable.
3) Unchurched people aren’t asking for a watered-down message. They can handle a clear, biblical message when it is delivered in terms they understand and in a tone that shows you respect and care for them.
These are the beliefs we are striving for in our worship services at First Free. A clear message coupled with genuine worship will not only attract unbelievers, it will open their hearts to the power of the gospel. Our mission is to introduce people to Jesus Christ, development them into fully-devoted followers, and equip them to reach their city and world. Worship then becomes much more than a witness to unbelievers. It becomes a source of joy to our God.
“Worship is expressing our love to God for who He is, what He has said, and what He is doing.” There are many appropriate ways to express this love to God: praying, singing, trusting, giving, testifying, listening, thanking, and responding to His word; whatever the expression God-not us-is the focus and center of our worship.
“Although unbelievers cannot truly worship, they can watch believers worship.” That is why at First Free we design our services to be worshipful and seeker friendly. We believe you can have both without compromising either.
Unbelievers can observe the joy we feel, see how we respond to God’s word, how worship encourages, strengthens, and changes us. They may not be able to explain it but worship is and becomes a powerful witness. On the day of Pentecost God’s presence was so evident in the disciples’ worship that a crowd of people (Acts 2:6) grew to 3,000 converts.
Why were 3,000 converted? Because they felt God’s presence and they understood the message. God’s presence must be sensed in our worship services. More people are won to Christ by feeling God’s presence than by all our apologetic arguments combined.
Warren states “I believe there is an intimate connection between worship and evangelism.” When we recruit worshipers, that’s called evangelism. John 4:23 states ‘the Father seeks worshipers.’
On the other hand, worship, being in God’s presence, provides the motivation for responding: evangelism. Isaiah had a powerful worship experience and responded ‘Here am I send me.’ In genuine worship God’s presence is felt, God’s pardon is offered, God’s purposes are revealed, God’s power is displayed. These things can create a desire to the unbeliever to want to know God.
Because genuine worship can have such a profound impact on unbelievers, we need to be very sensitive to their fears, hang-ups, and needs when they are present in our worship services. And we want them to be present. That’s why we are always encouraging you to invite your unbelieving friends.
We must also be willing to adjust our worship practices. Paul commanded the Corinthians to do this (see 1 Corinthians 14:23). Let me remind you of some important truths:
1) Making a service comfortable for the unchurched doesn’t mean changing your theology. It means changing the environment of the service.
2) Being sensitive to nonbelievers doesn’t not limit what you say but it will affect how you say it. We must make both the worship and message understandable.
3) Unchurched people aren’t asking for a watered-down message. They can handle a clear, biblical message when it is delivered in terms they understand and in a tone that shows you respect and care for them.
These are the beliefs we are striving for in our worship services at First Free. A clear message coupled with genuine worship will not only attract unbelievers, it will open their hearts to the power of the gospel. Our mission is to introduce people to Jesus Christ, development them into fully-devoted followers, and equip them to reach their city and world. Worship then becomes much more than a witness to unbelievers. It becomes a source of joy to our God.
Blessings,
P.S. Struggling with setting priorities? Frustrated that you have already digressed from your New Year’s resolutions? Questioning whether God really has a plan for your life? Join us this Sunday at our services 9:15 & 11:00 as we begin to unpack these questions in our new series Living Well.
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