Most Christians would probably acknowledge that worship is important, essential even.  But what exactly are we supposed to do? What is worship, exactly.  Is it any thought or action offered to God?

Below are a few simple thoughts that I hope will be helpful to shape your practical expectations…

Corporateness

God calls us to worship Him together. The pictures of worship in the Pentateuch, Psalms, Revelation, etc.,  for example, are of throngs of people worshipping God… TOGETHER. We do not come to Sunday worship service to worship God individually. We come to worship Him as a church family together.

Costliness

We should be on time to worship service. We should sing our best and give attention to all that goes on in the service. We should make sure our children know the importance of going to worship. If we are leading in worship, we should maintain high standards of performance. Why? Because we should want to give God the best. He deserves it.

Our attitude ought to be like King David’s, who said:

“I will not offer to God that which costs me nothing” (2 Samuel 24.24)

Drama

Worship should engage our intellect and emotions. Our worship service is designed to have intellectual and emotional tension, challenging and stimulating the mind and heart.

Physical Expression

Not only should worship engage our intellect and emotions, but it should involve our bodies, too. The Bible gives us examples of how to use our bodies to worship God:

• Standing – Nehemiah 9.2-3
• Kneeling – Psalm 95.6
• Clapping – Psalm 47.1
• Raised Hands – Psalm 134.2

Each of these actions demonstrates a recognition of a different attribute of God:

• His majesty
• His creatorship
• His victoriousness
• His power for healing

Newness

In the Bible, we see the use of both that which is ancient & time-honored, as well as that which is new & spontaneous. Our worship is a blend of the use of traditional music & liturgies, which ground us in the worship of the Church Universal, and contemporary songs and newly-created prayers, creeds and litanies, which allow us to express ourselves in our contemporary culture and to use the creative imagination God has given us.

Responsibilities

> Of the Congregation

The members of the congregation are, ultimately, all responsible for worshipping God. This is one of the implications of the priesthood of all believers. (1 Peter 2.5)   Our attitudes and actions are the primary elements of the worship service. We should participate fully in all elements of the liturgy because they are not meant solely, or even primarily, for our benefit, but for the glory of God.  Our main concern should be: “Is God pleased with our worship?”

> Of Worship Leaders

There are many ways in which one can assist the congregation in worship:

• designing the worship service
• ushers & greeters
• managing the lighting and audio systems
• song leaders/cantors & singers
• instrumentalist
• leading in public prayer
• offering public testimony
• serving The Lord’s Supper
• collecting the tithes & offerings
• explaining God’s Word

All of these roles are meant not only to benefit the congregation directly, but to encourage the congregation to worship God… to give to Him the glory due His name.