Definition of Worship “Worship is man’s response to the nature and action of God.” – J. Alan Kay “To worship God is to ascribe to Him supreme worth,. In response to the self offering of God in Christ for us, we offer our praise, our prayers, our gifts; but with the realization that all these are inadequate to express the supreme worth of Him who has created us, and redeemed us, and brought us to this hour. And so we offer the greatest gift that we can bring – the gift of ourselves (Rom 12:1).” – Raymond Abba

“Worship is the quickening of the conscience by God’s holiness; the nourishing of the mind with his truth; the purifying of the imagination by his beauty; the opening of the heart to this love; the surrender of the will to his purpose; and all of this is gathered up in adoration – the most selfless emotion of which our nature is capable, and therefore the chief remedy for that self centeredness which is our original sin and the source of all actual sin.” – William Temple

3 Principles of Worship 1. Trinitarian: (1) God is the source and the end; (2) Christo- centric focus; (3)Activity of the Holy Spirit 2. Essentially corporate activity. Priesthood of all believers  Participatory. 3. Involves whole person: (1) Holy life; (2) Whole person (emotions, intelligence, and actions); (3) Subjective experience as well as objective aspects.

4 Elements of Worship 1. Adoration: Emotional (Heart) – 3 Emotions (Wonder, Fear, Love) 2. Offering: Moral (Will). Bringing gifts and ourselves (Rom 12:1). 3. Receiving from God: Intellectual (Mind) – through the Scripture reading, sermons, music…. 4. Making request of God: Prayer – Spiritual. Petition, Intercession.

2 Extremes- Order of Worship Form: R.C., Orthodox Highly liturgical Structured Form prayers Responsive reading Performance Freedom: Quakers…. No planning or structure Spirit moving only

Good Form: 5 Musts 1. Psychologically sound and comfortable: Value to the fixed order. 2. Give intelligent order and purpose. 3. Lead congregation into unity of participation. 4. Insure that objective worship content will be valid. 5. Provide discipline for the worshipper.

Forms and Culture 1. Worship should find the most adequate forms to express worship of God and sense His presence. 2. Worship forms should be culturally relevant and they must be constantly re-evaluated according to the changing culture. 3. Worship forms should provide the range of variety of expression that are available within society of culture itself.

4 Factors affecting worship types 1. Theology: Sacraments; Word 2. Traditional pattern 3. Aesthetic and cultural taste 4. Emotional level of congregation: How much spontaneity?

Advantages of Liturgical Worship 1. Well scheduled in advance – 3 year lectionary cycle. 2. Clearly established goal. 3. Scriptures read systematically. 4. Gives parishioners verbal and actual participation. 5. Creeds are used to encourage people to memorize important verses and kerygma. 6. Music portions fit in the service.

Disadvantages of Liturgical Style 1. Bound to yearly plan: Lack of relevance. 2. Fixed theme and goal restricts expositional preaching. – Risk of Eisgesis. 3. Prescribed scripture reading may not be fitting to particular theme of the day. 4. Congregational participation may be just a motion, not from the heart. 5. Memorized creeds portions could be just formal without meaning. 6. Music quality and style may become secondary.

Danger of Typical Protestant Worship: No fixed liturgy 1. Freedom from planning. 2. Points to unrelated manner. 3. Bible is read too seldom. 4. Suffers from too little participation of the congregation: Performance of clergy and choir or solo; audience mentality. 5. Lack of symbolism or action.

7 Problems of Protestant Worship in US (Wardle) 1. Sermon-centered 2. Pastor-dominated 3. Temple mentality (Immobile) instead of Tabernacle mentality 4. No room for God to break in: Lack of spontaneity Passive Seat Arrangement: Passive rather than participatory 5. Forms and language dominated by the past 6. Not Seeker sensitive

2 Principles: Form and Freedom Form We need to plan. Flexibility and spontaneity in planning. Freedom A door should be left open for the Holy Spirit to be innovative.

General Principles for Planning Worship 1. Sense of Direction: Biblical truth; Traditional ways; Intelligent and relevant to the congregation; Unity 2. Essential Ingredients; Participation; Balance; Resources 3. Determine the title or uniting theme and the order of the service. 4. Seek God’s direction in planning - Prayer