In our society, we are conditioned to think primarily in terms of the individual.  This also seems to be true  in the church – sadly, perhaps especially so.

Noted worship scholar, Robert Webber, said that so much stress has been laid on individual conversion that worship services, in many churches, are often not worship-centered.  He said that in conversion-centered services:

“… worship center[s] no longer on the objective and corporate action of the church, but on the personal experience of the worshiper.” 

Webber goes on to say that the shift from the corporate to the individual happened because some early American Christians mistakenly thought that:

“… those who were converted needed less structure and were less dependent on others for worship.” 

In truth, freedom comes through structure.  For instance, people can’t make music if they don’t some idea about music theory and notation.  Real freedom for the Christian requires that other people be involved in our lives to help us: to train, to encourage, and to stimulate one another to good works. (Hebrews 10:24)  

Why does the modern Church abandon the principle of freedom through structure so often?  I believe it is due to too much emphasis on I and not enough on we the corporate body.  Many come to worship for themselves: what I can get out of it, or, what I put into it.  Biblical worship does not exclude the individual, but it is a corporate act.  It draws together the entire congregation as one voice to God and one ear to listen to Him. 

We must understand, we do not stand alone when we worship.  We also join with God’s people of times past because the Church draws near to heaven where all the departed saints dwell.