March 18, 2004

Surely the Presence ...

Rusty Lopez points to some questions R. C. Sproul asks about our conduct and attitudes in worship, the correct ones, obviously, because he sees it the way I do:

R. C. Sproul’s March 4th broadcast, Surely God Is In This Place, touches on a subject that has been tugging at me for some time. Is the way we worship relevant? Is the way we act in the sanctuary relevant? Is the sanctuary itself relevant?

Sproul says,

“Nothing reveals more clearly what your church believes about the character of God, than how you worship. You can take your confessions, your doctrinal statements, your programs, and roll ‘em up and throw ‘em in the garbage can because they don’t mean anything, in terms of what really is being expressed about the character of God, as in your worship.

“Our problem in not an architectural problem, it’s not even a musical problem, …the problem is people are coming to church and have no sense of the presence of God. In fact the basic sense of the American person in our day is a profound sense of the absence of God.”

As we enter the church sanctuary do we respond as if we are in the presence of God? More than likely what we hear upon entering the sanctuary is not silent reverence, but the frivolity of socialization in the form of idle talk. More than likely what we see after the service has started is not a focused attention on God's presence, but the interruptions of people arriving late. More than likely what we see is not a group of Christian disciples showing respect in their dress, but people dressed primarily to derive comfort.
My question for you is this -- when you advertise on the sign out in front of your church that you have "casual worship," what do you think you're telling people about what you think about worshipping God? Are you telling them that you dress casually, or are you saying that your worship of God is casual? Another question -- would you attend a meeting with the CEO of your company or the President of the United States [you Bush-hatin' furinners stay out of this! ;)] dressed the way you attend church? If so, why so, and if not, why not?

Posted by Mike at March 18, 2004 08:36 AM | TrackBack
Comments

I was going to comment on this, but my comment got so long I just blogged my response instead.

Posted by: Mark Hasty at March 18, 2004 09:42 AM

Hmmm. I'm not into casual worship but I'm into come-as-you-are worship. There's nothing I can wear that impresses God. I come realizing I have nothing to offer except that I'm clinging to the one who makes me righteous.

That's anything but casual. The minute I think a tie or a dress makes someone a better worshipper, I've missed the point.

Posted by: Darryl at March 18, 2004 10:10 AM

When the majesty, solemnity, and sense of awe was taken away by various factions, that's when it all went downhill.

Posted by: MommaBear at March 18, 2004 10:10 AM

Mike, take a chill pill. You takin' yourself way too seriously. What did Jesus wear to meet his father?

Posted by: Dipsomania at March 18, 2004 07:42 PM

Hi! I just stumbled on your site...and well I hope you don't mind if I make a comment...

My church just finished a two week 24 hour a day prayer watch...We have done this quite a bit and are looking towards september when maybe is Jesus so chooses to find a way, we would be praying 24.7.365...But anyways...if you wanted to check it out...www.epicmx.com.

Yea...the presence of God. In this prayer room when you walked into it, you were hit by something, something powerful, you could feel it right down to your spirit. It was his presence. Pure and simple...I have been in many churches around the world, but only a few where you could feel his presence. and in those churches people worshiped not because they were told to worship, they worshiped because God was near. Everytime you breathed your heart would beat a little faster. And then in talking to the pastor or who ever was in charge you would hear only one thing...It is like that because we prayed. The Celts used to call those places "Heavy places", but back to the prayer room, I saw Goths, punks, skaters, and nerds...sit down and deeply inhail the presence of God, and worship... It wasn't who they were, or how they were dressed, it was because we had prayed and asked The Spirit of Jesus to fill the room. and the worship that spilled out was not boxed...or set up...it was because God was touching their hearts...

but yea...Blessings...From a brother up North in Canada...I hope this didn't offend...

Posted by: James at March 19, 2004 01:06 AM

yeah.

boy.

whew.

Good point.

The way you dress is indeed a reflection of your relationship with God.

But watch what you assume about another's dress, and about another's relationship with God.

Posted by: Anita at March 20, 2004 09:11 PM

The issue of how one dresses to enter the presence of God is not one of impressing another human or impressing God. It's an issue of how one shows respect. That is the point of my post (which had to do with more than just how we dress) and it is the point of Sproul's message. It has to do with how mature believers display responsibility, manifested physically, in their attitude of worship. For a fuller explanation, listen to Sproul's broadcast on the weblink.

Posted by: Rusty at March 22, 2004 09:45 AM

The issue of dress can be an extremely divisive one. I agree that dress can effect respect. On the other hand, I have concern for those who a) cannot afford to dress nice and/or b) are not from a culture where dress is valued. I'm thinking of the goths/skaters/punks referred to in an earlier comment. How uncomfortable do we make them feel when they enter our churches? What of the poor man? Do these people have a place in our churches and in our dress-codes?

I think back to my church in San Antonio (we've since moved to another city). I worked with students and was pressured by another student worker to wear a tie to church. This lady really wanted me to wear a tie. So I started wearing a tie - out of respect for her wishes (note: NOT a good reason)

One of the Godliest students I knew at the time generally came to church wearing shorts.

The lady applying the pressure to me was overbearing and arrogant, in general. She liked gaining control of things. She dressed nice too.

I know which side I would pick . . .

I guess I've come full circle on dress. I now go to one of those infamous casual churches. We have some very, very deep worship (among students, no less!). Being involved in the worship ministry I definitely share your concerns - I wonder at times how many of them are "getting it". That being said, the first time I experienced the worship at this church and compared it to the no-heart, rote worship at my previous church in San Antonio I knew the difference.

Regarding meeting the president or a CEO. I don't think that's a good analogy. Because meeting with God is a spiritual matter. How "dressed up" are our hearts when we meet God? That may perhaps be the best question. Are we clean, pure before Him? Are we clothed in righteousness?

I think those are the best questions to ask.

All that being said - I understand and respect the wishes, especially of older people, for better dress in worship. They were raised in a culture that valued that.

Posted by: Bill at March 22, 2004 01:23 PM

Just caught this one. I think that there are two different considerations at play here which don't necessarily work together. The first is the idea of worship as veneration, the second is the idea of worship as an action of a faith community.

For me, formal worship similar to the formal conversation that I might have with the US president is not really evidencing a sense of loving, connection and community which I value so much about being a part of my faith community.

On sunday I attended one of our congregations which is quite formal and "proper". Until a couple of years ago, they had a sign in the foyer which read "Quiet, people are preparing to worship". It was reverent but I found it really difficult to worship God because I was uncomfortable and out of place.

Posted by: dan at March 22, 2004 07:05 PM

I agree with you, Pastor. Whether you worship on Saturday or Sunday, you should come to church knowing that you are in the presence of the Lord. Instead we focus on who is watching us and miss such a complete sense of blessing and honor. The Lord is preparing us for eternal worship in Heaven soon and if we can't focus on Him now, do we really believe we will enjoy Heaven where it is all about Him? It's really easy to feel prideful and critical in church but that is what Satan wants. He wants to distract us from time with our precious Lord and Savior. So I ask, don't you think it's worth putting on blinders and focusing only on you and God? After all, that is all that will matter in the end -- you and your relationship with God.

Posted by: gina at May 6, 2004 06:39 PM