Worship is Not Entertainment

Worship is Not Entertainment

In the Daily News Sun (Feb. 26, 00), AP's Richard Ostling wrote, "Much of Evangelical Worship has degenerated into showmanship, with applause and canned orchestra music – a naked (and rather successful) quest for popularity in a media culture." In this the writer is right on target. One need only look at many of the televised religious services to see his point in living color.

Churches of Christ continue to resist the temptation to join the mad rush away from the simplicity of New Testament Christianity to the paltry substitute of entertainment.

To be faithful Christians we must ever keep our eyes on the Bible as our only standard and guide in worship, faith and practice. As the writer of Hebrews says, "See saith he, that thou make all things according to the pattern that was showed thee..." (Hebrews 8:5). Paul made it clear that we must not go beyond the things that are written (I Corinthians 4:6 ASV).

Those who perceive of worship as a time for entertainment need to ponder how their "show time" exercises (I cannot call such worship), would resonate in those early days when Christians risked their all to assemble for worship to their crucified and resurrected Lord; when they saw their brethren dragged away to a horrid death before a screaming mob.

The entertainment crew would be so ashamed they would hang their heads and slink away in embarrassment for the insults they had offered to God and the harm done to his church.

If you wish to commune in sacred "remembrance of Christ" (I Corinthians 11:25); to sing and pray with the Spirit and understanding (I Corinthians 14:15); and hear preaching that glorifies not a sinful man, but "Christ Jesus as Lord" (II Corinthians 4:5), visit a Church of Christ near you.

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