Comments on: Who is the Jesus we Portray in Worship? http://presbymergent.org/2009/10/13/who-is-the-jesus-we-portray-in-worship/ Loyal Radicals Sat, 19 Jun 2010 14:21:12 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.0.1 By: Stushie http://presbymergent.org/2009/10/13/who-is-the-jesus-we-portray-in-worship/comment-page-1/#comment-2855 Stushie Sun, 28 Mar 2010 03:06:09 +0000 http://presbymergent.org/?p=550#comment-2855 Passion actually means to suffer, which is why Holy Week used to be called the Passion of Christ. In worship, we are the givers and God is the audience. If we're only there for ourselves and what we long to feel, then we've missed the whole point of worship. We empty ourselves before God and give Him everything - heart, mind, body, and soul - singing, praying, praising, and hearing. We should come away empty, ready to be filled by the Holy Spirit in the experiences and encounters that we will make throughout the coming week. If we see church worship as our personal spiritual filling station, then we've forgotten that we are there to serve, praise, and honor God through Christ. Too many people are looking for a concert, entertainment, and even cinematic experience. That's not what worship is, unless it is the worshiping of oneself. Passion actually means to suffer, which is why Holy Week used to be called the Passion of Christ.

In worship, we are the givers and God is the audience. If we’re only there for ourselves and what we long to feel, then we’ve missed the whole point of worship. We empty ourselves before God and give Him everything – heart, mind, body, and soul – singing, praying, praising, and hearing. We should come away empty, ready to be filled by the Holy Spirit in the experiences and encounters that we will make throughout the coming week.

If we see church worship as our personal spiritual filling station, then we’ve forgotten that we are there to serve, praise, and honor God through Christ. Too many people are looking for a concert, entertainment, and even cinematic experience. That’s not what worship is, unless it is the worshiping of oneself.

]]> By: Donald Buck http://presbymergent.org/2009/10/13/who-is-the-jesus-we-portray-in-worship/comment-page-1/#comment-2804 Donald Buck Sun, 21 Feb 2010 22:59:35 +0000 http://presbymergent.org/?p=550#comment-2804 Speak it loud, speak it plain! Passion is a wellspring from within. If the person in the pulpit has lost passion, it will not be communicated. Hence captives in the pew. Would that we all be refreshed with our "first love" of Jesus. Speak it loud, speak it plain! Passion is a wellspring from within. If the person in the pulpit has lost passion, it will not be communicated. Hence captives in the pew. Would that we all be refreshed with our “first love” of Jesus.

]]> By: Trevor http://presbymergent.org/2009/10/13/who-is-the-jesus-we-portray-in-worship/comment-page-1/#comment-2762 Trevor Mon, 25 Jan 2010 01:50:28 +0000 http://presbymergent.org/?p=550#comment-2762 When you said felt captive in the pew during many passionless services I have to say that is something that speaks to my heart big time. Growing up at a pres. church has made me love traditions but I joke with my brother how no one claps! Thankfully we have a movement towards breaking those shackles on our clapping hands with a service called Veritas, but I give you props that quote spoke to me. When you said

felt captive in the pew during many passionless services

I have to say that is something that speaks to my heart big time. Growing up at a pres. church has made me love traditions but I joke with my brother how no one claps! Thankfully we have a movement towards breaking those shackles on our clapping hands with a service called Veritas, but I give you props that quote spoke to me.

]]> By: Carrie Mook Bridgman http://presbymergent.org/2009/10/13/who-is-the-jesus-we-portray-in-worship/comment-page-1/#comment-2750 Carrie Mook Bridgman Wed, 18 Nov 2009 13:54:58 +0000 http://presbymergent.org/?p=550#comment-2750 Go, Jen! Judging from this article, the Bush Hill newsletter, and comments from various people, you are doing great ministry and growing in many unexpected directions, and helping others to do the same. Hallelujah! Carrie Mook Bridgman Go, Jen!

Judging from this article, the Bush Hill newsletter, and comments from various people, you are doing great ministry and growing in many unexpected directions, and helping others to do the same.

Hallelujah!

Carrie Mook Bridgman

]]> By: dave montei http://presbymergent.org/2009/10/13/who-is-the-jesus-we-portray-in-worship/comment-page-1/#comment-2734 dave montei Thu, 15 Oct 2009 01:49:48 +0000 http://presbymergent.org/?p=550#comment-2734 My Pastor often reminds us to prepare or hearts before church, to clear out our thought patterns on our drive to church, so when we do enter into worship we have increased our ability to receive. This is done by an act of faith. To come before the Father expectantly. My Pastor often reminds us to prepare or hearts before church, to clear out our thought patterns on our drive to church, so when we do enter into worship we have increased our ability to receive. This is done by an act of faith. To come before the Father expectantly.

]]> By: John Sterner http://presbymergent.org/2009/10/13/who-is-the-jesus-we-portray-in-worship/comment-page-1/#comment-2732 John Sterner Wed, 14 Oct 2009 00:09:16 +0000 http://presbymergent.org/?p=550#comment-2732 I've discovered that most of the passion in the worship is internal. I can be in the greatest worship service and not worship. Likewise, I can worship passionately in a "dull" worship service. I’ve discovered that most of the passion in the worship is internal. I can be in the greatest worship service and not worship. Likewise, I can worship passionately in a “dull” worship service.

]]> By: Donna G http://presbymergent.org/2009/10/13/who-is-the-jesus-we-portray-in-worship/comment-page-1/#comment-2731 Donna G Tue, 13 Oct 2009 23:57:55 +0000 http://presbymergent.org/?p=550#comment-2731 Ahhh. Would you come speak to our worship committee/team lol... It seems as if communicators of the Good News, myself included, have often forgotten that the method isn't the message. That said, I think we also need to explore what worship is about, too. It isn't about us. Or what we feel. Or what we like. Often times we expect worship to give us something. But it is really about giving something. Giving something back to the One who gives us everything and gave Everything. I'd like to say that it is an act of gratitude but honestly, some of the most passionate worship experiences for me have been those where I have gone to worship out of obedience rather than desire. 'God. I don't really want to do this today, I'd really rather sit here in the warmth than go out in the cold, wet morning. You already know that. Your Word says You desire obedience and that is all I can bring this morning. Today it is a sacrifice from an unwilling heart. Bless my obedience. Forgive my unwillingness.' How great is our God who can take my grudging obedience and make it into resounding praise. It is good to feel uplifted by our worship, but it is not necessary. It is counter-cultural but true. It is something we must learn, re-learn and share with others. Ahhh. Would you come speak to our worship committee/team lol…

It seems as if communicators of the Good News, myself included, have often forgotten that the method isn’t the message.

That said, I think we also need to explore what worship is about, too. It isn’t about us. Or what we feel. Or what we like. Often times we expect worship to give us something. But it is really about giving something. Giving something back to the One who gives us everything and gave Everything. I’d like to say that it is an act of gratitude but honestly, some of the most passionate worship experiences for me have been those where I have gone to worship out of obedience rather than desire.

‘God. I don’t really want to do this today, I’d really rather sit here in the warmth than go out in the cold, wet morning. You already know that. Your Word says You desire obedience and that is all I can bring this morning. Today it is a sacrifice from an unwilling heart. Bless my obedience. Forgive my unwillingness.’

How great is our God who can take my grudging obedience and make it into resounding praise.

It is good to feel uplifted by our worship, but it is not necessary. It is counter-cultural but true. It is something we must learn, re-learn and share with others.

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