Worship verses shows

[Sister Alvear]

That is the topic that was assigned to me to speak on at a youth camp...any suggestions?

[Esaias]

Do you mean worship contrasted with putting on a show?

Or do you mean what bible verses about worship show?

I will assume the first one: worship vs. putting on a show.

Sister, I know you know the difference between worship, and putting on a show. Therefore, tell them the difference! Encourage them to worship with GOD as the audience, not men.

Also, worship is not just an individual thing, but a corporate thing. As a Body we must be in one accord, in unity, having the same goal and methods to reach that goal. Thus we can worship together as the people of God.

The GOAL is for God to fashion US into a spiritual temple where God will be pleased to dwell through the Holy Spirit.

THEREFORE, there is NO point in having an entertainment festival, or Carnival, and calling it "youth oriented worship". God only accepts CHRIST-oriented worship. So no "strange fire" being offered as worship, and no golden calves being offered as "these are your gods who brought you out of Egypt".

The false churches offer young people amusements and concerts and fun and games. The church of Jesus Christ offers them salvation, redemption, holiness, healing, manifest presence of God, revelation, discipleship, maturity. Young people are elders-in-training, so we should treat them as such, not as brats who need to be put on the sidelines and entertained, keeping them "out of our way so we can do big people stuff".

If youth want entertainment instead of equipping for service, they aren't regenerated and need to hear the real gospel.

[allstate1]

I attended the church that my parents and my kids go to during a kids revival. My kids are 15 and 12. The minister was a very popular kids minister in UPC circles. He made a statement that floored me! He told all the kids to worship to lift your hands wave them, jump etc etc. And he told them if they seen another person doing more than what they were doing that means that person loves Jesus more!!! So for me I believe its a perfect time for you to speak on the difference!

[shazeep]

yikes, no kidding

[CC1]

A very interesting topic that can mean many things to many people. For some people any preparation is wrong and everything should be spontaneous. I think for most of us that is an absurd point of view but it does persist in some people who don't believe God expects our best and some effort which would mean musicians and singers who pursue excellence through a lot of practice and work at making use of the talents God has given them.

There is also a wide spectrum of what one considers true worship. For most of the old time Pentecostals on this forum that probably means a lot of overt emotionalism including "shouting" (which is not really shouting at all but twitching, jerking, twirling, jumping, running the aisles,etc). Sadly many times this is at the expense of enjoying the powerful presence of God in quiet moments of awe. Often times ones spirituality is judged by how much they engage in the more emotional "shouting" activities rather than their walk with and devotion to God. That is a danger of Pentecostal culture.

On the flip side there is a danger of not being emotional enough. One should feel free to cry, weep, jump with joy, etc in the presence of God.

Church music departments have to walk the fine line of being well prepared, doing their best to create a atmosphere that is conducive to people coming together with one mind to welcome in the presence of God without being rigid and so formal they do the opposite.

Just my quick two cents! I could go on for days on this subject. LOL

[shazeep]

i am largely struck by how we characterize 'worship' in this way; as wholly occurring among our definition of "congregation," which you can bet has also been manipulated. And so, driving by the homeless shelters, the soup kitchens, and the food pantries on the way to a meeting to 'worship' God might be just a bit hypocritical, and deemed a 'show.' It is hard to ignore that the est'd church leaders, Pharisees, were castigated by Christ for just such displays. They went to synagogue like every day, held strict standards, had wide support from and were ostensibly teachers to most of their peers, judged everyone else's sins, and were condemned in the end for completely misunderstanding the Kingdom. These were men who genuinely thought they were following God. Most of our 'worship' services are actually funeral services, imo.

[mfblume]

I see Cain offering a show instead of real worship in sacrifice. Abel offered blood -- ugly and messy, but without shedding of blood is no remission. Sacrifice is a form of worship. It must be what God ordains and not what good ideas we can come up with. (This is why mingling practices of other religions or simply creating our own means of worship cannot work with God). Cain had a colourful show of vegetables and plantlife, not at all messy, but likely beautiful.

But it was the same error Adam made using vegetation, rather than shed blood to provide his covering. This gives a link of covering to selflessness.

Anyway, worship must be selfless, and it can be tempting to exalt self in worship showing how well we can sing, etc., when it should bring glory to God, not self. Cain messed up in that respect.

[allstate1]

Originally Posted by shazeep

i am largely struck by how we characterize 'worship' in this way; as wholly occurring among our definition of "congregation," which you can bet has also been manipulated. And so, driving by the homeless shelters, the soup kitchens, and the food pantries on the way to a meeting to 'worship' God might be just a bit hypocritical, and deemed a 'show.' It is hard to ignore that the est'd church leaders, Pharisees, were castigated by Christ for just such displays. They went to synagogue like every day, held strict standards, had wide support from and were ostensibly teachers to most of their peers, judged everyone else's sins, and were condemned in the end for completely misunderstanding the Kingdom. These were men who genuinely thought they were following God. Most of our 'worship' services are actually funeral services, imo.

Amen!! Worship is believed to be the actions displayed during a church service. I'm always reminded of the testimonial services on Wednesday nights. Someone would always say how they were so glad to be here so they could worship! IMO true worship is a lifestyle.

[whoiskaiser77]

Worship is a way of life. One of the key differences between someone who worships and someone who puts on a show is their way of life. How do they live once the music stops and the tears dry up?

[whoiskaiser77]

Worship VERSUS Shows
or
Worship vs. Shows