Having looked at a few definitions of worship (although I realize I’m barely scratching the surface), I wanted to offer some practical ideas for changing the way we talk about worship. Some of these are so ingrained in our vocabulary, I feel radical even suggesting them.
1. When using “worship” as a verb, include the direct object. (My apologies to those of you who thought you’d never have to think about grammar again.) We aren’t simply gathering to worship – we’re worshipping the Father, our merciful God, our great Redeemer, etc. So, “I love to worship!” becomes, “I love to worship the Savior!” “Let’s worship!” becomes “Let’s worship our glorious God!”
2. Limit the times you use "worship" as an adjective. (More grammar.) Most of us live in a culture of worship music, worship styles, worship CD’s, worship songs, worship conferences, worship videos, worship t-shirts, etc., etc. While some of these uses are legitimate, we’ve probably passed the saturation point.
3. Avoid using adjectives to describe worship. (Don’t you wish you paid attention in English class?) How did the early Christians survive without Celtic worship, liturgical worship, contemporary worship, prophetic worship, emerging worship, traditional worship, alternative worship, charismatic worship, post-modern worship, X-er worship, Boomer worship, and Buster worship? (Sorry if I didn’t mention your church.) Most of these phrases refer to music styles or forms, not our worship. And it's good to remember that unless our worship is offered to God through Jesus, it’s not accepted anyway. (1 Pet. 2:4-5)
To read all seven of Kauflin's suggestions, click here.
1 comment:
These are helpful things. It highlights the fluff and imprecision that often accompanies the "w" word.
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