Going Off The Deep End In Worship

By Rev. Paul Anderson

I recently preached in a congregation that wanted to go deeper in its worship experience. I asked them three questions:

(Only for married couples) How many want your marriage more exciting? (Almost all raised their hands.) How many want to be less exciting? (One man raised his hand.)
(Only for sports fans) How many of you get excited when your team wins the playoff game on the final seconds of overtime, maybe even causing you to rise up out of your seats? (Hands everywhere went up.) How many of you think people should not get so excited with last-minute victories? (No hands.)
(Only for worshippers) How many of you thing that our responses to God for what He has done for us in Christ should be more passionate and enthusiastic? (Hands everywhere.) And how many think that our responses should be more conservative, calculating, and low-key? (No hands - end of survey).

Some people are concerned that worship can "get out of hand." But when you stop to think of it, wouldn't it be safer to go off the deep end than off the shallow end? Here are some points to consider:

Worship Is Ultimate

Heaven is a happy place. Those being invited are told, "Enter into the joy of your Master" (Matthew 25:21). In the presence of God is fullness of joy (Psalm 16:11). We will be doing the most exciting thing in the world, loving back the one who has loved us from the foundation of the world. There is nothing that comes close to that for excitement. Everything else we do is a means to the end. There's no evangelism, no discipleship, no reading of Scripture in heaven. We are the personal presence of God. And we will love Him!!

Worship Is Extravagant

We certainly could not accuse Jesus of being cautious or conservative with His love toward us. He didn't play it safe - He went off the deep end. Don't ask me to be conservative in my love for my wife. We are 25 years into marriage - and our love continues to grow. And don't ask me to be conservative in my devotion to the Lamb of God, my Hero, my Friend, my Companion for eternity, the one who has done everything for me. I owe Him my Life.

Worship Is Expressive

Love looks for as many ways as possible to express itself. We say it and we show it. We tell God that we love Him and we demonstrate our love in body language and behavior. Worshippers may be on their knees, or prostrate on their face, or standing with eyes lifted and hands raised. They may be silently adoring the awesome Majesty or clapping their hands, dancing in celebration or shouting out their praise. The psalmist includes all of these options and more in the hymn book of second temple worshippers.

Worship Is Sacrificial

A man went through the greeting line after the service and said to the pastor, "I didn't really like the hymns you sang this morning." The pastor responded, "That's okay, we weren't singing them for you."

Points For "Going Off The Deep End" in Worship:

Take some risks. Love takes risks, not just plays it safe.
Receive prayer often from others. Become a seeker after God.
take time to read the Bible daily and to pray. Sooner or later it will open your heart to the god who is pursuing you.
The arts help us to worship. the psalmist said, "O worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness."
Blend form and freedom. Simple forms can often trigger greater freedom. A form in a corporate prayer service often provides a vehicle for freedom. Don't be afraid to use tools.

This article is condensed. for the full version, visit www.lutheranrenewal.org

Rev. paul Anderson is Director of ILRC in Minneapolis and a Break Forth Presenter.