This past weekend’s snowstorm and subsequent freezing temperatures left us no choice and for the first time ever, @V21Church cancelled our services. We take this seriously, as each weekend is a chance to reflect Jesus to a lost world. I’m curious as to how this affected your view of worship. Did you see it as a “day off” from God? For me, it was a day off from leading others in worship, which I was not excited about – my role is a joy, and I am excited to be a part of what God does each Sunday in healing us, encouraging us by His Spirit, and drawing us to Himself through His Son. On the other hand, it was a blessing to have another day with my wife and two daughters, and I loved every minute of it. The heart perspective was different from a normal day, though, as I had the “missed worship” on my mind. How would we worship God as a family? How would I worship God without leading, singing, playing?
As written in the last post, it came down to my heart more than my actions. For the most part, our actions were normal for our family – playing, dancing, making food, praying, cleaning up, etc. – but the difference was an intent to worship God in that. Was this “less worship” than if Sunday had gone on as planned?
If you were at a church service, singing songs with a self-righteous belief that God would perhaps give you what you want since you were there, is that more worshipful than if you were home with your family, cooking breakfast with a thankful heart to God?
There’s no reason your worship would not be as pure, righteous and pleasing to God at home than if you were at church, singing in response. While the gathering includes prescribed and normative forms of worship- singing, communion, preaching of the Word, giving tithes – it is through Christ that we can know God, respond to Him in worship, and be seen as righteous. The Holy Spirit of God literally lives within us – our entire lives are to be lived as a worshipful response, whether we have a church service at Vintage21 or not.
Did you worship God yesterday? How did the cancellation of @V21Church services affect this? Comments and questions are always welcome.
Matt Stevens is the Worship Pastor for Vintage21 Church in Raleigh, North Carolina. Contact him via Twitter: @MattStevensNC
If worship is in the heart and not the building, is the building necessary at all?
Good question, Prin! Christ addressed this in John 4, when he spoke with the woman at the well. There was a big debate in that time regarding worshiping in a specific place, and Christ responded that the time had arrived for people to worship in spirit and truth. This was revolutionary, since the worship of the Jewish people was defined through the Law and took place at the temple.
From this, and the gift of the Holy Spirit within us, I’d say the answer is no, a building is not necessary to worship God. Praise Him for this freedom we have.
On the other hand, I’m thankful for the specific place God has given us in downtown Raleigh, and believe our building is a gift to be stewarded. But if our worship is confined to that place, God’s mission through this church is also limited.