“If individuals in the congregation are expected to be ‘actors in the worship drama,’ as Kierkegaard so aptly put it, they must know in advance what the roles demand. Further, the Christian church expresses its historicity, its continuity, and consequently its authority, partly by repeating the same actions and words from one generation to another.
“At the same time, we dare not tolerate worship presentations that people find to be boring and meaningless, simply, ‘going through the motions.’ In the theater, where the same words and actions are repeated verbatim night after night, actors use good performance techniques to make each performance come alive as a work of art. Worship leaders must do the same …”
True Worship: Reclaiming the Wonder & Majesty by Donald P. Hustad (D.Mus.), musician, hymnologist, seminary professor, and organist for the Billy Graham Crusades from 1961-1967.
Well said. Here are some questions we can ask ourselves:
All Christians:
- Do you think of yourself as a “participant” in corporate worship, or just a spectator?
- What do you “bring to the table” each week? Do you come ready to meet with God, together with brothers and sisters in your local assembly?
Worship Leaders:
- How can you help the congregation to see that they are participants under your cue, rather than spectators watching your performance?
- How do you keep the wonder of the cross before you rather than merely “going through the motions,” particularly if you have to lead multiple services?Â
