So, What is Worship, really?
Bet you never thought two guys on a ladder repairing a roof could be worship. So ask yourself, “Why are they doing that?” They’re repairing an outbuilding at a Christian camp. This camp teaches children to be strong, loving, confident, and caring individuals. They’re repairing the roof, not for money, but as volunteers. And they’re doing that because they care and because they want children to have the tools they need to grow.
Yes, we come together on Sundays to sing His praises and listen to His word, and that is an important part of worship. However, there is so much more to worship than that.
If you’re curious what that shared worship looks like in practice, you’re welcome to see what a Sunday morning at Central is like.
Worship Is More Than Sunday
The Bible says: “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind’; and, ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’” Luke 10:27
Worship is an act of love. It is a demonstration of love. There are so many ways to worship God. Every time we share his love, every such act is an act of worship.
We worship God when we visit a friend who is struggling.
We worship God when we comfort someone who is grieving.
We worship God when we celebrate a birth, a graduation, or a wedding.
We worship God when we celebrate a friend's promotion.
We worship God when we "Run for the Cure".
We worship God when we donate to the "Marathon of Hope".
We worship God when we speak out for the marginalized and the forgotten.
We worship God when we speak out against violence, discrimination and persecution.
We worship God when we welcome the stranger.
We worship God when we love our neighbour.
The marginalized and forgotten, the victims of violence, discrimination, and persecution: these are our neighbours, regardless of ethnicity, regardless of religion, regardless of gender, regardless of age.
We worship God when we love our neighbours and we worship God when we recognize our past failings and work to make amends.
Can we do all these things without worship?
Yes, I suppose. After all, these are all things that an atheist can do.
However, if you really want to follow Christ, if you believe that to be a Christian, you must be a Christ follower, then you must do these things. To do otherwise is to turn away from Christ and his teachings.
So, why then are they acts of worship?
Because they are acts of love. Love means "I choose to do these things because I care, not because I'm obligated to." To truly be an act of worship, these things must be an act of love.
“Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you?
When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’
“The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’" - Matthew 25:37-40
What about Church?
We worship God when we attend a Bible study during the week. Jesus said, “For where two or three gather in my name, there am I with them.” - Matthew 18:20
We worship God when we serve by helping with a youth or children’s program. Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.” - Luke 18:16
We worship at Alpha when we share God’s word and His love with people, no matter where they are on their faith journey. Jesus said, “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you.” – Matthew 28:19-20
We worship God when we support the Cambridge Food Bank. We worship God when we support Rachel’s Home. We worship God when we give to support the construction of Sunday School classes at a church in Guatemala.
We worship God when we pray for ourselves, and when we pray for others. We worship God when we support our summer food drive or when we give to support the Life and Work of Central. Life and Work of the Church is a "churchie" phrase that means everything from keeping the lights on to supporting our youth, children and families.
All of these things, every last one—done out of love, not obligation—is an act of worship.
What about Faith?
Don't I need faith in order to worship?
No!
The purpose of worship is to build faith and confidence in God. The purpose of worship is to connect with God, and his church. The purpose of worship is to build healthy relationships and strengthen understanding.
Faith doesn't build worship. Worship builds faith. Faith is a product of worship.
Have you noticed that the list of ways in which we worship looks a lot like the ways in which we love?
That’s because worship is love in action. Love—real, self-giving love—is what worship looks like when it’s lived out. When we love others and share God’s love with them, we are not stepping away from worship; we are practicing it. Worship without love misses the point entirely.
To understand worship at all, we first have to ask a more basic question:
Paul said to the residents of Corinth, “So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.”
And to the residents of Philippi, he said “Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.”
A church filled with love, with care and with joyful laughter is a church filled with the Holy Spirit. Worship, done properly, is a joy, not a task and worship, done properly, goes beyond Sunday morning.
So, what about Sunday Morning?
Sunday morning is worship. It's not the only form of worship, but it is worship.
On Sunday morning, Christians come together to share their faith, and of course, to build and renew their faith.
There is a fancy term for this: Corporate worship.
The idea behind it is that when people come together, they can draw renewed strength and purpose from the love they share with each other.
Sunday services come in all shapes and sizes. They can vary from the very formal to the very casual. I've attended church in beautiful old Gothic churches—Central is an old Gothic building. I've attended church in ultra-modern buildings. I've attended church on a beach. I've attended church in a cafeteria and I've attended church in a tent. But the one thing they all had in common was community—people coming together to share an experience and to rebuild their commitment to share the love that God gives so freely.
Which one is right?
The one that best lets you connect with God. This will very much depend on you, on what works for you. This may sound very wishy-washy, but it isn't. The message matters, the relationship you build with God and with his people matters. The heart it creates in you matters. These elements are non-negotiable. They must be there.
What doesn't matter is whether the music is with a choir and an organ, or a guitar and drums. What doesn't matter is whether the dress code is formal, or come as you are.
So, what about Central?
We are a Jesus Church, where everyone is welcome, where no one is perfect, and where everyone is loved.
We are also a church that takes our faith and our relationship with God, through his son Jesus Christ, very seriously. We very much believe in the "come as you are" motto. Suits and skirts are certainly welcome, but not necessary. Casual dress is also very appropriate. Our praise music is, for the most part, contemporary but it isn't extreme.
No service is for everyone, but maybe Central is right for you.
Curious?
