Worship: The New Trend

A couple of days back a friend sent me this video and I couldn't help but laugh. It was funny but deep down I found it utterly ironic and was shocked at how it aptly represented what most youths find appealing in today's concept of worship.


"Sunday's Coming" Movie Trailer from North Point Media on Vimeo.

Watching this video brought some key things to light in regards to what today's youth are after in worship. I want to start of by saying that first and for-most ...worship is not meant to be cool or hip or the "in thing". I mean lets be serious do you think that it was because the disciples lacked marketing skills that they got persecuted?

Today, so many churches are succumbing to the pressures of making their church a more lively and cool environment to attract a younger crowd. It started with a change in wardrobe, wearing more casual clothes to church. Most pastors have given up the traditional suit and tie and racked their closet with jeans to make people feel that church is more comfortable and casual and less "formal". This in itself wasn't a problem, some people make church too formal, I agree. The problem arises when you start to make church too casual and start to take for-granted the holiness and reverence that God deserves. I have to dress up for school every day because I am representing the school and its apparent professionalism.  If I have to dress up for school, why wouldn't I want to dress more appropriately for church when I am in the presence of one who deserves more honor and reverence then my dean.

Praise and Worship has become a calculated method to draw crowds. Lets be honest, most people when searching for churches, search for two things: 1. How good is the praise and worship, 2. How is the message. Praise and worship has become a selling point rather then what it was meant to be, adoration to your father. It’s that cool rock band style concert setting where everyone in the audience (I say audience because that is what its becoming) is jumping and shouting in one accord in a darkly lit room. Who needs tickets when there's a church around the corner; every Sunday is a free concert.

Acceptance: this is another selling point for most churches these days. We accept everything. Everyone likes the idea that everything is okay and as long as you are showing up on Sunday no one will ask questions as to the apparent sinful life you're leading. I am not talking about past sins, God forgives, therefore, man should as well (churches need to realize this as well). I am speaking more about being afraid to correct someone because they will leave or not think that the institution of church is cool. Church is not meant to call out and cast out the hurting sinner, but the church at the same time has the responsibility to help their believers live a life that is pleasing to God. What is the point of church if there is no relationship between members. It was created so that believers could have a community in which they can face their problems together.

I am a huge fan of messages that are thought out and creative. I love it when pastors use props and commercial ideas to drive their point home. At the same time, I also like the message to have meat. Dear pastors, do not lose the content of your message in order to keep the congregations attention. More then interesting slideshows and gimmicks what they need is the true meaning of God's word that came from him through you.

None of these things are necessarily wrong on their own as long as the true intention of winning believers and not crowds is there. Dear Readers, I urge you not to get caught up in over commercialized Christianity but rather be filled with content and seek true worship. If you are currently attending a church that uses gimmicks and tactics to draw in a crowd, pray for them to truly be lined with the will of God.

Remember that true worship needs none of the above, only a contrite spirit and broken heart.

Happy Thinking