Vol. 4, No. 19 June 26, 2005

Lights, Camera, Worship!!

Written by Christopher Mentzer

“The coliseum sported the latest in audio and lighting technology. Onstage, performers kept us entertained for an hour while the several thousand people in attendance clapped, cheered, and laughed through the entire presentation. Video cameras caught all of the action on stage as well as the reactions from the crowds. Kiosks and booths in the lobby sold wares from different musicians and comedians, while boasting upcoming events. I was not at a rock concert. I was in church – a Megachurch.”

“Megachurches: How the Individual’s Search for Meaning Led to the Disneyfication of the Church”, By Ryan D. Aycock, April 22, 2003

In the last 20 years, more and more churches are leaning towards the “Church Growth movement”. An idea to throw out the conventional items like stain-glass windows, crosses, and even the Bible itself. Instead they bring in rock bands, coffee and donuts, and a sermon starting with the words, “How To”. The word “Sin” is rarely uttered for it puts people down and these “churches” are to build people up. If you get people to feel better about themselves, it will motivate them to ask for that raise at work or buy that lavish house they only dreamed about. This in turn makes them better Christians!!

In 2 Cor. 11: 13-15 Paul wrote, “For such men are false apostles, deceitful workers, fashioning themselves into apostles of Christ. 14. And no marvel; for even Satan fashioneth himself into an angel of light. 15. It is no great thing therefore if his ministers also fashion themselves as ministers of righteousness, whose end shall be according to their works.” When Marketing and surveys replace the Word of God to get people into the church buildings, you have the works of the Devil. They say no one comes to church because they are bored, or they are discouraged at work and don’t want further discouragement at church by being told they are going to Hell. But they’d rather attend these Spiritual Pep Rallies and listen to Cotton Candy Theology. To them, it’s more uplifting and they feel closer to God.

But where in the scriptures does it say one must always feel good in worship? True worship is what God wants as Jesus states, “But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and truth: for such doth the Father seek to be his worshippers. 24. God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship in spirit and truth.” (Jn. 4: 23-24)

It is not a social club! Paul wrote, “For the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.” (Rom. 14: 17)

The focus is on the sinner and his need for salvation. Paul wrote to Timothy, “Faithful is the saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief.” 1 Tim. 1: 15

God never asked us to change His pattern for the church or for Worshipping Him so why do people see the need to do so?