Gospel Centered Worship

 

For most of my life,

The sermon was the most important part of Sunday morning worship. 

Everything led up to the sermon 

And everything ceased shortly after the sermon.

The sermon was determined by whatever was on the pastor’s heart and mind, 

Which could be from the Old or New Testaments, the Psalms, the Gospels,

One verse or a whole passage. 

Sharing the table was reserved for once every three months so that it would remain special. 

Music was programmed for comfort and emotional connection. 

Prayers were said extemporaneously. 

And the pastor, music minister, and choir/praise team were the worship leaders while the congregants were there primarily to listen. 

 

This style of worship is often celebrated for its freedom to allow the Holy Spirit to move.

 

More recently, 

The Gospel has become the most important part of worship. 

The whole service centers around The Word, the central reading of which is the Gospel text. 

We read aloud together a passage from the Old Testament, the Psalms, the New Testament, and the Gospels.

The passages are determined by the Lectionary,

A three-year scripture cycle read by many churches around the world.

The sermon is the first response to the gospel reading and the remainder of the service allows congregants to respond.

Sharing the table occurs every Sunday so that everyone will know they have a place at God’s table of grace.

Music is programmed to coordinate with the Gospel.

Prayers are written and read aloud together.

And the pastor, musicians, and congregants are all involved in leading and participating in worship.

 

This style of worship is often criticized for not allowing the Holy Spirit to move.

 

For most of my life, I fit within the former style of worship.

Now, I do not.

Now, I find my home in the latter,

And I can honestly say that I wish more people could join me there.

Yes, it’s an adjustment.

But there is something to reading scripture together, praying together, confessing sins together, and sharing the table together every Sunday.

Worship becomes less about one person’s thoughts,

And more about God in God’s fullness.

There is something to reading the difficult parts of scripture as well as the ones that comfort and inspire.

There is something to reading prayers for the earth/environment, the world/leaders, the church, the sick/hurting/oppressed, and ourselves.

There is something to seeing the words on the page that really brings congregant home.

The Holy Spirit makes the words alive and

Reminds us that we’re part of something bigger.

It reminds us that we can and should do better.

It reminds us that the gospel of Jesus Christ is so much bigger than we make it.

And it reminds us that we are often the answer to our very own prayers.

 

I am thankful that there are different types and styles of worship.

And I am thankful that God can speak through them all.

But for me, for now, I am most especially thankful

For worship that focuses on the richness of God,

And challenges me to be more like Christ,

In all that I say and do.

 

Amen.