New and Improved

It’s not uncommon for something to be advertised as “new and improved.”  After all, our tendency is to always want the newest and the best. Thus, “new and improved” catches our attention.  But, the other day I had to question that phrase when I drove by a church with sign that advertised, “New and Improved Worship.”  Immediately, I asked, What does that mean?

Well, actually the “new” part is probably not that hard to understand. But, the “improved” part is what I really had to question.  Had their worship been improved because they hired a new organist or because they have added drums and a guitar?  Had the worship been improved because the church decided to sing some new songs or go back to some old ones? 

And, I had to ask, improved according to whom?  I wasn’t quite sure if the worship was considered improved because the people of the church liked it better, or the pastoral staff thought it better, or because the quality of the music had been upgraded. Or, was it improved because the worship was actually more pleasing to God?  Wow…now that’s a thought! Did God think the worship was improved?

I’m not trying to pick on this particular church. What they reminded me of is what we have done to worship; that we have made our corporate worship just one more  commodity to be consumed.  Worship has become less about God and what he likes and more about us and what we like. Worship has become another advertising point for churches seeking to increase their attendance and hopefully boost their income rather than a means of actually honoring and glorifying God.  (Wow…this hurts!) 

I think we need to remember Jesus’ words:  “God is spirit, and his worshipers must worship in spirit and in truth.” (John 4:24 – NIV)  For God worship that is improved is not about the instruments we use or the songs we sing.  Rather, improved worship is worship that flows from a heart that recognizes who God is and can’t help but want to bring him honor, glory, and praise.  Improved worship speaks of people who have become more and more in love with Jesus and less in love with themselves and their world. 

Let’s be people whose worship is “new and improved” not because we sing the newest songs (or have gone back to the old songs), but because we worship God “in spirit and in truth.”  Let’s come back to the heart of worship. 

Have a great day! 

Pastor Tim Harris

www.cityvinechurch.org

www.pifny.org

When the music fades

And all is stripped away

And I simply come

Longing just to bring

Something that's of worth

That will bless your heart

I'll bring You more than a song

For a song in itself

Is not what You have required

You search much deeper within

Through the ways things appear

You're looking into my heart

I'm coming back to the heart of worship

And it's all about You

All about You, Jesus

I'm sorry Lord for the thing I've made it

When it's all about You

It's all about You Jesus

-Matt Redman