Worship in the Contemporary American Church
 I have been in several churches over the years serving in the capacity of a Worship Leader or part of the worship team. As a new Christian I was inspired by the worship team and worship leaders because I have a gifting in that area of music and God has given me the gift of worship leading through guitar and vocals.
I had something to aspire to when I went to church to become part of the worship team and use that gift. After I got on several worship teams...I noticed a pattern. The worship ministry generally tends to move towards better and better sound and music, and putting together a package that will be pleasing to the congregation and all wrapped up within 5 to 6 songs of worship. Essentially no matter where I went the worship team and church staff was trying to put worship of God in a nice little box. This made me sad and it was hard for me to put my finger on why I was dissatisfied with the way things were going.
The only thing I was getting out of the worship service was that 30 minutes of worship when I could escape into the highest expressions of worship in music. Sometimes it was pure ecstacy as the Holy Spirit showed up in the worship and moved the whole congregation. I would live for that 30 minutes of being used and moved by the Holy Spirit.
The serious challenge of it all was to organize the music and wrap it all up into 5 or 6 songs and still have the Holy Spirit move. Not only that, but then to do that about 3 or 4 times on a Sunday with the same prepared set of music. It certainly became alot like work. And my pay was God's Spirit moving in our midst. Totally worth every minute of labor.
But at a certain point the pressure mounting on the worship team to deliver the worship package in 30 minutes or less. Having songs cut by pastors to make room for special events in the service which is usually only an hour and a half, really demands alot from the worship team. And of course...worship of God to be interuppted by announcements of the social body of the church? Are you kidding me?
Some people just do not get it.
You know who does get it? Africa. African chruches where you may have heard that believers walk for a day to go to church. They stay there for hours and hours worshipping with their voices, dancing, clapping, drumming, singing, laughing and rejoicing in the whole experience. No time limit, no interrupting pastors, worship until the Spirit of God has settled on the place and the people are worn out. Then share the gospel message. Can you think of a more authentic scenario then this? More effective for preaching the gospel.
Maybe you can...but I sure would like to see Americans adopt a more serious attitude towards worship of the Most High God. Wouldn't you?
Peace of Christ To You All
The Strong Watchman
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Divine Inspiration 
Comments
To ' Worship' God is to do as He Commands not Sing about the past, present future intent to do so because he is so ' Lovely'. For the first 750 years there was NO Music in christian meetings, Music was OT and the first Organ introduced was likened to the sound of Baal. Worship was from the melody of the Heart towards God. Worship in Churches now, is not about God but about 'Performances' and 'Presentations' and often to lull the congregation into accepting any nonsense sprouted from the pulpit as Biblical ' The Word of God for Today by this Gods Appointed Minister ( ho hum ..really thought I had one of those called Jesus Christ THE OONE MEDIATOR ) ..like give US your money !.
Worse Worship as is is a tool more of the use of the enemy than of God. Worship, the listening to and obeying of the inner voice of the Holy Spirit is a 24 / 7 thing not a 30 minute audition, or should that be adulteration with the World?. Thats why Jesus says 'Come out' from the corrupt Religiouse system' and follow Him and Him alone.
I had similar feelings when I was in Churchianity.
Let's see what Father says about worship:
25 Worship the Lord your God, and He will bless your bread and your water. I will take away your illnesses. 26 No woman will miscarry or be barren in your land. I will give [you] the full number of your days. Exodus 23
The churches that I've attended certainly didn't experience these Blessings as promised. I conclude that either Father has broken His promise or we aren't worshipping Him like we think we are. I'm sure you'd agree it has to be the latter.
The more that I study and seek out Father, Messiah and their ways, the more I realize that their idea of worship and our idea of worship is entirely different.
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