An Audience of One

Why write a book about Biblical Christian worship? There are so many books already available about worship.

While there are a lot of books on worship, most of them are directed toward worship leaders, music directors and pastors. Very few are written for the average person in the pew.

I suppose that the majority of Christians feel they already understand and practice worship. Although they may attend multiple services a year, I believe that many Christians are just going through religious motions or ceremonies with little true worship happening.

In many cases the Sunday morning worship service has become a spectator sport with limited congregational participation. Worshipers are expecting to be entertained or “blessed”. Their focus is on receiving rather than giving.

Worship is often judged on whether a person feels good when they leave the church or if those leading the experience did a good job in music performance or thought-provoking message. Neither of these are the Biblical criteria for the success of worship.

In some cases worship is dull, repetitive, mindless and stale. In other cases it has become a variety show with lots of distractions for short attention spans, offering “something for everyone”.

I believe God has created us with a capacity and a yearning for worship. However, as creatures of habit, it is easy to turn worship into a mindless ritual where the worshiper is just an observer going through the motions.

Oftentimes the greatest obstacle to worship is not the leadership or the musical selections or the instrumentation. The biggest obstacle to worship is ourselves. • Our minds are focused on other things. • Our hearts are burdened with a variety of situations or problems. • Our souls may be dry because we’ve not spent time in God’s Word or in private devotion. • Our bodies may be tired due to illness or the fast paced lifestyle that people live today.

Whatever the reason, worship is often the last thing on our agenda and the average Christian comes ill-prepared to come to the Holy of Holies to worship the Almighty God.

This book will explore authentic Biblical worship and look at steps the average Christian can take to make their worship experience truly focused on the God whom they worship.

Worship should be dynamic, a give and take between the worshiper and the one worshiped. Worship is not... Worship is not a mindless event, a spectator sport, entertainment or a classroom lecture.

Worship is not limited to a specific time or location.

Worship is not limited to a particular style of music or order of worship. One size does not fit all.

Worship is not something you can turn on and off at will, nor is it an effort to accumulate favors from God. God is not counting “Friends” or “Likes” like on Face Book or gathering opinions on Twitter.

Worship is not a one-way conversation. It is not like a text message, e-mail, letter or book that you can read over and over and answer at your convenience or perhaps interpret the wrong way. Worship is... Worship is personal and intimate. Worship is a one-on-one encounter with the Almighty God, creator of the universe and sustainer of all life.

Worship requires your immediate attention and response.

Worship involves your whole self, not a half-hearted effort. Anything of value requires effort, and worship is no exception.

Worship happens in the context of real life for those who truly seek to know and serve God every day. The purpose of this book is

1. To explore the nature of worship and the one whom we worship. 2. To look at Biblical examples of worship experiences and explore what made them significant. 3. To examine ways to grow an individual’s worship experience. 4. To look at corporate worship and explore ways to enrich that experience, 5. To make suggestions that will help individuals and a congregation to approach the throne of God in authentic worship.

Life is in a constant state of transition. • Relationships change. • Circumstances change. • Technology, education and politics change. • Priorities, attitudes and physical health change. The net result is that life ends for each of us. But... for the Christian, worship does not change or end.

Therefore, we have every reason why we should grow in our understanding and exercise of worship.

It is my prayer that the thoughts and scriptures presented in this book will lead you to a closer walk with the Father and into deeper worship regardless of your education, circumstances or experience.

At the end of this book, you will find a study guide to be used for either more in-depth personal study or as a small group study guide.

It is my hope that this book will cause you to embark on a spiritual journey that will last your lifetime and beyond, as you seek to know God, to love Him and to worship Him.

Ellen Walker