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Worship Syndrome
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I was recently at a place called "church" with an understanding of having "church" and left with the experience of being "churched." Now that's buzz language in most churches I know to describe a good time. In other words, I got my "praise" on - feet tapping, arm waving, singing and screaming to the top of my lungs. I was raised in a traditional Pentecostal environment that emphasized emotional outbursts over training and education. Not that any definition of worship can actually define how we interact with God or how our own individual experiences shape us, the real goal is that we get close to God.
Worship is one of those strange habits in the Christian church world that believers confess to doing but rarely perfect. We even compare, criticize, and condemn who and how others do it. In fact, most people today are so far removed from real worship that we define it as entertainment and fun. On the other hand, some are so stiff in ritualism that they miss the essence of worship for the pattern of structure and order. It is true the real expression of worship is praise and how that praise is expressed becomes controversial and problematic from decade to decade and from culture to environment.
This dilemma is not new though. The concept of worship has been one of controversy in the Christian community since the disciples emerged from the Upper Room. We are as divided over worship as we are over doctrine. In fact, worship has gotten so systematized in America that we offer people a menu of choices like a restaurant. Instead of fighting over styles today we just blend a choice of options - Traditional, Modern, or Contemporary. Take your choice and sit and enjoy the sideshow of worship being focused on your taste instead of God's glory. So we divide over the day, style, music, and prayer language in our worship services.
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