Reasons we come to worship

The first sentence in our denomination's Directory for Worship declares, "Christian worship joyfully ascribes all praise and honor, glory and power to the triune God" (W-1.1001). A later sentence asserts: "The life of the Christian flows from the worship of the church, where identity as a believer is confirmed and where one is commissioned to a life of discipleship and of personal response to God" (W-5.1001). That sounds like what I learned years ago: the purpose of worship is to give glory to God and to inform, form, and transform people of faith.

Recent surveys indicate that the faithful would like to add something to that perspective. Many now want and expect "to experience something" during worship. They do not deem worship effective or meaningful unless they are caught up in the service and feel especially connected with or touched by God. Although I do not deem that desire contrary to why we worship, it seems to take something of secondary importance and elevate it to a primary purpose; i.e. most people of faith have deemed experiencing God a good thing, but have not considered that the primary purpose of worship.

I, too, enjoy moments filled with the presence of God, times in worship when God feels near. Those who plan our worship look for opportunities to have us touch each other, smell the candles, taste the communion bread, and respond with our entire selves. When selecting hymns and songs, we look for tunes that speak even without the help of words. When planning baptisms we try to help the congregation to participate and not merely to spectate. I use a chrism made of frankincense and myrrh during baptism to add an olfactory dimension. We hope and intend for the faithful to experience God regularly.

Yet, even when we do not "experience something," God still deserves and the faithful still need to offer worship. We consider God the author and end of life, the font from whom all blessings flow. God merits praise, adoration, and supplication. Sometimes we come to worship ill-prepared. Our lack of an experience may reflect our failure to engage. Yet, if we welcomed each other, lifted our voices in song and prayer, kept silent during moments of quiet, and otherwise followed the liturgy, we helped others to worship. We may even have "worshipped for" someone who came too burdened by grief, loneliness, or fear to engage fully. Even when we do not "experience something," we help each other to believe and long to believe.

I give thanks for those moments in worship in which God seems more real than I am. After all, she is. I consider such moments gifts to receive with gratitude, but not something I should expect or require. I worship to glorify God and be formed as a Christian. I would enjoy hearing why others of us come.

Easter Blessings,

LP