Worship Wars
I Was Thinking…
I recall a phrase from a professor in my doctoral studies. He was commenting on the church in the Southeastern United States. This was the 1990’s when suburban sprawl was peaking across the ‘Bible Belt’ of this country. His comment startled me and then caused a head nod in the affirmative in my posture. He said, “The struggle in the church of this day and in the imminent days ahead is that there are too many ‘worship wars’ occurring. People have their preferences for worship style and think others should have the same preference. It is a great cause of conflict within too many churches, and it is causing too many churches to busy themselves with immature distractions.” (Hugh Halverstadt, McCormick Theological Seminary)
‘Worship Wars’ is an interesting concept. Yet I have seen and experienced them in several places during church ministry. “We don’t want drums in the sanctuary.” “I don’t like that music, and why do they feel they have to stand so long to sing them?” “The organ is too boring of a musical instrument.” “Clergy wearing robes seems too formal.” “I can’t believe they are wearing jeans in the pulpit.” “Applause is not for the sanctuary.” “I don’t like the chaos of everyone greeting each other in the middle of worship.” And the list of the variety of comments I have heard across the years continues long and equally shocking. I suspect you’ve heard or maybe even said similar statements as well.
Franciscan Monk Richard Rohr, in his book ‘Hope Against Darkness,’ writes, “…the perennial temptation of religion is to worship instead of imitate. Yet Jesus said, “follow me,” not “worship me.” (P.118) This is one of those statements that causes me to pause. I (and maybe you too) have never thought of my relationship with Jesus in quite this way before. Is worship juxtaposed against imitation? Interesting and insightful.
It feels a bit like the proverbial question, “Which comes first, the chicken or the egg?” Is worship primary to following, or is following that which leads to worship? Francis of Assisi, Italy, lived in the 12th Century, and he believed that he should not so much preach salvation (although he certainly did that) as he should be salvation. He felt called to model and image the life of Jesus to the world.
Isn’t it true that when our words have disconnected to our actions, then our witness is shallow? But when our actions speak louder than our words, then our witness is strong?
In Jesus’ assembling of his first disciples, the gospel writer, Mark records, “As Jesus passed alongside the Galilee Sea, he saw two brothers, Simon and Andrew, throwing fishing nets into the sea, for they were fisherman. “Come, follow me,” Jesus said, “and I’ll show you how to fish for people.” Right away, they left their nets and followed him.” (Mark 1:16-18, CEB)
Following and imitating Jesus is the start of the life-changing relationship with Jesus the Christ. That relationship may begin in a worship setting, but more than likely it begins because someone we have known has exemplified for us Jesus in real and everyday sorts of ways.
Worship wars? They are silly, ridiculous, immature, and distracting. If I (and maybe you too) spend our days imitating the lifestyle and priorities of Jesus, then the world will change one person and then another person and then another person at a time. Yes, we will worship him in spirit and in truth…but it won’t matter so much how we worship as it does that we worship.
Always Thinking…
