In my class on Worship at Toronto Baptist Seminary, I asked my students to identify five ways they are a hindrance to the Corporate Worship of God. Their lists were very interesting and I assembled a bit of a highlight reel here. I think it is a great question to ask yourself before next Sunday – how do I hinder the worship of God at my church? Here are some of the items my guys came up with...
- Not even thinking about how God desires to be worshiped
- Sin in my life
- Not showing up at all
- Being grumpy
- Not arriving grateful for the cross
- Not praying in advance
- Being tired or lazy
- Taking pride in my contributions to the service
- Distracted by the details and running of the service
- Showing up late
- Processing other things than what is happening in the service
- Worrying about what my kids are doing
- Looking for a pen and writing a cheque
- Not fixing relational problems with others in the church
- Thinking more about the process of worship than the One I am to worship
- Roaming mind
- Pride in thinking I could do better than what the person up front is doing
- Not going to bed early enough on Saturday night
- Watching car races [insert your program of choice here] so that a) I am late for services and b) my mind is dwelling on them not the Lord
- Not worshiping God through the week
- Not paying attention to what I sing or say in worship
- Worrying about what I wore
- Wanting the service to be perfect and growing discontent with mistakes
- Being more excited about friends than God
- Timing the pastors prayers
- Viewing the singing as a time of entertainment
- Trying to get friends to laugh by distracting them in immature ways
- Enjoying the melody of a song more than delighting in God
- Pride of thinking I could play a certain instrument better
- Criticizing every little aspect of the service in my mind
- Pride of thinking God must be impressed with the way I am worshiping!
- Doing outward things in order to gain others’ attention
- Sitting with people I know will lead me to talk and not pay attention
- Thinking about the problems of my week rather than on the worship of God
- Not confessing sin
- Failing to prepare for worship
- Over-analyzing songs and sermons so that I never think of Christ
- Doing a shoddy job in my contributions to corporate worship
Got any to add?
good list. Gives one pause to think doesn't it?
ReplyDeleteTheir honesty is convicting! It's already Saturday morning in Japan and you can bet I'll be preparing my heart before I wake up and go to church on Sunday morning!
ReplyDeleteI really needed the heart check and honesty!
I can't think of any additions but I definatly relate to those listed. So good to read and recognize.
ReplyDeleteJess S.