Category: Current Issues and Events

Authentic Worship

A few weeks ago, Thom Rainer published an article called What Worship Style Attracts the Millennials.  Some of my younger family members and friends emailed me or posted about it on Facebook, all of them saying, in essence:  “He nailed it.”

Rainer stated his view that Millennials are not seeking a particular “style” of worship (e.g. Contemporary vs. Traditional), but desire to participate in worship that includes three major elements:

  • Music that is rich in biblical and theological content
  • Authenticity
  • Quality produced by adequate preparation.

My heart definitely resonates with these elements when they are present in a worship service.  I’d like to dig into the element of authenticity for a bit.  I suppose that means different things to different people, but here are some of my observations about it.

Ranier says, “The Millennials desire authenticity in a worship service.  They can sense when congregants and worship leaders are going through the motions.  And they will reject such perfunctory attitudes altogether.”  So in Rainer’s explanation, the opposite of authenticity is “going through the motions” and “perfunctory attitudes.”  Perfunctory, in case you’re struggling with that one, is used to describe something that is done without energy or enthusiasm because of habit or because it is expected according to Merriam-Webster Online.  Some synonyms include mechanical, routine, and superficial.  So authentic worship is a true reflection of what is in the hearts of the worshipers and leaders.  It represents their genuine thoughts, beliefs, and feelings.  It is real.  It is not a performance, nor a program presented to an audience. The people who plan and lead the worship are not just filling slots with song selections.  They are leading the people to thoughtfully and purposefully engage with truth about God and reflect it back to Him in musical praise and to one another for mutual edification.  And the people in the congregation are not merely singing what the leader announces, but expressing what they really believe about God, uniting their hearts and raising their voices to praise Him.

I desire for the worship in our Lord’s Day Gatherings at Calvary to be authentic, not just because it’s what a demographic category of people want, but because God is worthy of it.  Here are some ways to make or keep worship authentic.  Some of them we are endeavoring to do now and others we can grow in and develop.

  • Spend significant time praying together as pastors and leaders in preparation for upcoming services.
  • Allow plenty of time for planning and discussion of elements of worship services.
  • Be intentional and purposeful in planning what goes into a service.  Select music and Scripture reading and prepare comments and prayer so that all aspects of the service guide the congregation to reflect on and respond to specific truths.
  • Avoid showy music, whether vocal or instrumental.
  • Don’t do what’s expected just because it’s expected.  For example, avoid singing the same three songs every Father’s Day, or only Christmas songs in December.  Sure, it may be appropriate to include some selections that are traditionally used in certain seasons, but thoughtfully include some that relate to familiar truths in fresh ways.
  • Try to be thoughtful and original with the “patter” that we use as pastors during the worship service.  We tend to say the exact same things when welcoming the congregation, recognizing visitors, announcing the offering, etc.  It’s hard to be original when you’re going over the same subject week after week, but it’s good to make an effort to engage people’s minds rather than numb them with repetition.
  • Don’t overformalize.  Be personal, transparent when appropriate, and expressive in verbal comments.  Use music that is accessible, not so complicated that some can’t sing it or understand it.
  • Do a Scripture study of the elements of corporate gatherings.  Teach and talk through why we do what we do in worship.  Here are some references to get started:  Ecclesiastes 5:1-3; 2 Timothy 2:15; 2 Timothy 4:2; 1 Corinthians 14; Ephesians 5:19; Colossians 3:16; 1 Corinthians 16:1-2.

Worship should be authentic regardless of whether it is attractive or not.  But if engaging the hearts of the next generation is a result too, that’s a good thing.

What do you think?  What makes worship authentic? What produces authentic worship?

Unanswered Questions in the Ham vs. Nye Debate

I enjoyed watching the debate last night between Ken Ham “The Creation Bloke” and Bill Nye “the Science Guy.”  In discussing the debate afterward with family and friends, some on the creationist side expressed disappointment that Ken Ham did not answer several of the questions that Bill Nye raised.  That may have been Ham’s chosen debate tactic, but it would have been helpful to observers to hear the creationist answers.  Thankfully, Creation Ministries International wrote a commentary about the debate and included a list of responses to the unanswered questions, along with links to articles.  It is here.

I have not read the linked articles, but intend to.

Hope this helps those who may be looking for these answers.

Pastor Dean, Advice for a Teen?

Hey, Pastor Dean, um, I have an assignment from one of my teachers, and wonder if you could help me?

Sure, be glad to.  What’s up?

Well, we’re supposed to ask someone who is older, and maybe in a position of authority or something, some questions.  You’re pretty old, right? And you’re my pastor, so I thought I’d ask you.

(Laughs) Let’s do it.  Want to sit over here?  So, what are your questions?

The first one is, What do you think is the greatest challenge that kids face today?

Let me think a minute.  There are a lot.  But I would say, you are hearing so many voices, through friends, school, movies, music, celebrities, news, advertising, scientists, philosophers, pastors :), people trying to explain life, that it is hard to figure out who is right, who you should listen to, and what you should accept.

Ok, yeah, that’s true.  The next question is, What should people my age consider as dangerous?

Ooh, very good question.  A few things come to mind.  An obvious one would be addictive and destructive substances like drugs, alcohol, and tobacco.  It’s no myth that smoking pot and drinking beer leads to harder stuff.  Ever see pictures of someone addicted to meth?  You don’t want to end up there.  Another obvious one is porn.  Once you start, you’re pretty much hooked, and it makes it really tough to have a normal long-term relationship with a guy or girl.  I’ve seen a porn habit that started in the teen years destroy a marriage.  Of course, there are dangerous people who want to hurt you.  Here’s probably one that you might not think of – I think there’s a real danger in believing everything you hear or read.  It goes back to my first answer about all the messages and voices you’re hearing.  If you just accept what someone says because he or she is your friend, or has a lot of followers, or communicates well, or seems successful, you’re vulnerable.  You need to test what you hear and read.  You need a source of truth to test everything and everyone by.  Believing the wrong things can really get you into trouble.  I tell people, “Just because someone says it doesn’t mean it’s true.”  And be careful about the subtle messages presented in TV shows, movies, and music.  They do influence us.

Hmm, that’s a lot to think about.  Here’s another one:  What one personal quality is important to develop as I enter adulthood?

Ha, I have a long list!  Do I have to narrow it down to one?  Well, let me try.  I’m going to go with . . .  wow, this is tough . . . I’ll say, learn to have a realistic view of yourself.

Can you explain that a little bit?

Yes.  What I’m really talking about is humility.  Learn to see yourself as imperfect, but improving; as important, but not more important than anyone else; as dependent, yet confident.  Be who you are in personality, physical appearance, strengths and weaknesses, but grow in ways that you can and that reflect well on your Creator.  We’re all sinners, but God saves sinners and changes us over time.  So this doesn’t mean you never change or try to improve, but that you don’t think of yourself as too hopeless for change or too good to need it.  True humility produces concern for others, willingness to take advice, and dependence on God.  Ha, you can see I worked some other qualities in there!

Yeah, that’s ok.  Alright, there’s one more question.  Actually this one’s a little open-ended, so you can do what you want with it.  What advice would you give me as a teen?

I would say first, “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and you will be saved.”  That’s from the Bible.  Second, as I said earlier, you need to have a source of truth.  I’ll tell you, the Bible is it.  Regardless of what you might hear, it has never been proven untrue in anything it says.  It relates to every aspect of life.  Check it out for yourself. Then, wait for things.  Look, I know there are things you want to have now, or soon.  But it’s better to wait and get it right.  I’m talking about things like the man or lady you’ll marry, your career, certain big purchases (like a car or house).  I’ve seen young adults get into a big mess because they were impatient, rushed a relationship, got into major debt, made hasty decisions.  Take your time.  When it’s right, you’ll know.  Here’s one more:  Dedicate your life to living for God’s glory, not your own.  Take some time to figure out what that means, then spend your whole life doing it.  You won’t be sorry.

Thanks Pastor!  I enjoyed talking with you.  I think my teacher will like this. 

Well, thanks for asking me.  Glad to help.  Anytime.