Corporate Worship And The Glory of God

My parents started taking me to a Baptist church when I was about three years old, and I have pretty much been in a Baptist church ever since. I have been in two GARBC churches, which are independent churches who associate with one another, an SBC church, and another independent Baptist church in Minnesota. Regarding the styles, there were differences, but it seemed like they all pretty much did the same thing. A sermon of varying length, four to six songs from anyplace from the hymnbook to the latest contemporary song, some sort of prayer time, announcements, communion or baptism if scheduled, and of course, an offering. On occasions there would be a special music of some sort, or maybe some type of Scripture reading or even a skit that would be linked somehow to the sermon.

I was asked to lead worship at one of these churches when our worship pastor left to take a lead pastor role elsewhere. Initially, I was simply a copycat because our former pastor, in my mind, did an excellent job, so I sought to duplicate him in everything. Over time, however, I began to feel that there may be some pieces that are important to this that we were missing. One of them that was rarely done outside of the sermon time was a Scripture reading. On occasion a verse attached to a testimony might precede a song, but there was rarely any time where the people were called upon to stand and simply listen to the raw reading of God’s Word.

I believed that, according to God’s Word in 1 Timothy 4:13, this was something which God desired to be a normal practice in the assembling of the saints. Paul told Timothy, “Until I come, give attention to the public reading of Scripture, to exhortation and teaching” (Legacy Standard Bible). It would seem we were practicing the exhortation and teaching, but there was little to no public reading of Scripture, and I believed this instruction would be applicable. Therefore, I began to strive, not perfectly, to plug in more public reading of Scripture in the service. The catch was that the services were somewhat time sensitive due to having another service later, so I was to be finished in 35 minutes to leave another 35 minutes for the preaching.

Then Easter Sunday came. As we approached that day, I really believed that there would be great benefit to a longer reading of Scripture on Resurrection Sunday.

This meant something had to get cut out or I would risk going over time, but I found ways to reduce transitions in order to accommodate without losing a song. I also limited myself to shorter Scripture readings. Then Easter Sunday came. As we approached that day, I really believed that there would be great benefit to a longer reading of Scripture on Resurrection Sunday. I made the decision to cut out a song and do a longer reading. Later on, I was taken to task by the pastor for the decision. He insisted that people would rather sing, not listen to Scripture, and that on Easter, with all of those guests, we should sing more and read less because those guests would not appreciate a longer reading like that. He was actually quite miffed, which would have surprised me if he was not frequently quite miffed with me.

This experience, though, marked me. Since that day of getting chewed out for reading too much Scripture on Resurrection Sunday, and even as I write that it sounds really crazy, I have contemplated what we should focus on in our church services. Then, a few years later, I became the pastor at Norton Baptist Church. As I arrived, to be honest, having never been a pastor before, I had no idea what I would do, what I should do, or even what I could do. It took some time for me to get my bearings. As we went along, Scripture reading eventually became a regular occurrence in our services, and for that I am always grateful.

I am not a pastor who is going to try to entertain the goats, or make the goats feel more comfortable in the presence of God and His people.

That was a lot of story that may seem pointless, so let me get to the point I have been driving at. We are not a seeker-sensitive church, therefore, my concern is not at all what those who do not know God would like to see in our services. I am not a pastor who is going to try to entertain the goats, or make the goats feel more comfortable in the presence of God and His people. I am also not going to intentionally make them feel uncomfortable, rather I am not going to give them any focus in our service, simply greet them before and after and make sure they know we are glad they joined us and welcome to return.

Rather, I am on a quest, a mission, to determine what God desires to have in our services. We are to do everything for the glory of God, even eating and drinking, so certainly our gathered worship services should be done for His glory, and His glory alone. I think we are closer today than we were when I came, but I am always evaluating, reading, studying, learning, and growing in the knowledge of God and our Lord Jesus Christ. I will not change items in the service just to change them, rather changes will occur as God, through His Word, teaches me that we need to change.

I am sorrowful that I have not learned this in years gone by, that God must be regarded with reverence.

In the coming weeks, after we get done with Ephesians, my goal is to preach a series of sermons on God’s glory, Christ’s glory, and what our response to His glory should be when we come together to worship Him corporately. I have not finished it, I am just beginning, but I know one thing, it is beating me up. I consider the holiness of God, that He is a consuming fire, and I think about all of the times I have just approached Him completely casually, without much thought to the glory He is due. I am sorrowful that I have not learned this in years gone by, that God must be regarded with reverence. We cannot, we must not take Him lightly, for He is worthy. I am looking forward to what God would do, and if you think of it, please pray for this series.