HOPE FOR THE HOME: When Christ was enough

Second in a series of reflective articles addressing current worship trends in churches in America and how they evolved. Topics regarding marriage will resume shortly.

There was a time in our nation when the fiery winds of Pentecost blew with such power that the pure, uncomplicated, convicting word of God brought not only individuals, but entire cities to their knees in repentance. Then in a subtle way our convictions were replaced with our beliefs. And our beliefs turned into our opinions. And our opinions lead to compromise. That regression has resulted in an ever-increasing desire for worship experiences which appeal to emotions without calling for commitment. This combined with pastors and evangelists who deliver talks without theology and sermons without substance will guarantee church members who are approved, affirmed and applauded without being confronted, confessed, and cleansed. This type of worship experience invites you to come as you are and leave as you were. When we dumb down our approach to worship, we downgrade our concept of a high and holy God. The old ship of Zion is now sailing in uncharted, unscriptural waters and no one is ringing the bell. There was a time when Christ was enough. 

What is the purpose of a worship service? Is it not to encounter the presence of God with heart, mind and soul? Is it not to affirm that we are loved by God? We read in John 3:16, “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life,” Is it not to know that we are forgiven of our sins when we confess and forsake those sins? We are reminded in Romans 10:9-10, “If you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. 10 For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.” Is it not to bring comfort to the afflicted? Psalm 119:50 tells us, “This is my comfort in my affliction, that your promise gives me life.” And is it not to include praise? Psalm 150:6

instructs us by saying, “Let everything that has breath praise the LORD.”

Please do not hear me saying that all contemporary worship is shallow. It is not. This form of worship emerged from the Jesus Movement in North America in the 1960s and the "Charismatic Renewal Movement" in Australia and New Zealand during the 1970s and 1980s. It opened the windows of many of our stale, traditional churches and blew a much-needed fresh breeze into church worship. Congregations that had grown stagnant began to experience renewal and revitalization as this shift ushered in a sense of movement and energy. The atmosphere within these churches changed, allowing the Spirit to move freely and encouraging worshippers to engage more deeply. This transformation helped break through long-standing routines, inspiring a more vibrant and dynamic expression of faith that had been missing in many traditional settings.

However, as with any new experience, there is a tendency to remove all that has gone before it. This movement manifested itself in the church in what became referred to as “worship wars”. The shift began when churches started to set aside the cherished old hymns of the faith in favor of praise choruses. This new approach presented songs which focused more on momentary emotional expression rather than permanent life-changing commitment. The hymns, with their rich theological content and emphasis on doctrine, had long served to inspire, challenge, and strengthen believers in their walk with God. This change in musical direction marked a turning point in worship, setting the stage for further shifts in the style and substance of church services.

Praise teams replaced choirs and for the most part the participation of the congregation. Entertainment eclipsed enlightenment. This casual, laid-back approach to the music portion of the worship service soon became adopted by those who presented the spoken portion of the worship service – the preachers.

This change marked a significant departure from traditional practices, where both music and preaching were conducted with a sense of formality and reverence. Pastors exchanged their dress shirts and ties for tee shirts, blue jeans and tennis shoes. They replaced their pulpits with acrylic plexiglass podiums equipped with coffee holders. Conventional lighting was eliminated in favor of mood setting colored lights for the congregation and spotlights for the speaker. The desire to “connect” with the people became the driving force in planning worship. This gave the crowds what they wanted, but not essentially what they needed. When we who are called to preach the unsearchable riches of Christ seek to become crowd pleasers, we end up preaching: action without accountability, blessings without brokenness, convenience without commitment, heaven without hell, prosperity without pain, and riches without righteousness.

To quote my favorite revivalist Vance Havner again, “When the pulpit is used to glorify the preacher, when the music only shows off the singers, when church membership only enhances community status, when the prayer house becomes a play house, and when we become more interested in recreation than in re-creation, then the church becomes a house of merchandise." There was a time when Christ was enough. 

Jerry and his wife Becky are on American Family Radio weekdays at 4:20 PM (CT) and on Sundays at 5:35 PM (CT). Check out their resources for the family at HopefortheHome.org. Becky’s latest book, “The Bright Side of Blue” and Dr. Drace’s, “44 Ways to Strengthen Your Marriage” offer biblical principles and timely advice for dealing with the challenges and trials of life. You may order these and other resources by contacting them at: hopeforthehome@juno.com.