This popped up in my usual social media feed recently.  Seems a friend’s church is looking for stage manager and lighting techs.  I took the liberty of blanking out the domain of the church.

The very idea that a church would need a stage manager or lighting tech subtly reminds us that, at least at this church, the focus is not on God, rather it is on the performers on stage.  I find the whole idea reprehensible.

This underscores what I’ve said for so long.  It’s that we as Christians have become confused at what worship actually is.  Worship is not a concert.  Worship is not feel good religious experience.  Worship is a humble offering toward God.

In Genesis 4, Abel humbly offered his meat sacrifice of his flocks toward God.  Our Lord did not look on favor toward Cain’s offering of fruit.  This shows that there is an acceptable type of worship toward God and an unacceptable worship.

In Leviticus 10 we see Nadab and Abihu offering a strange fire to the Lord and their lives were taken because of it.  Again there is an acceptable form or worship vs. an unacceptable form of worship.

Unfortunately many Americans have a tendency to worship themselves, while proclaiming God doesn’t have a preference on how we worship.  The focus on their worship is the performer on stage, and the warm fuzzy feeling one gets from attending worship.  Granted, worshiping God should be fulfilling, but it is not always easy.  Remember when Paul and Silas were in prison singing and praying (Acts 16:25)?  I wonder how many praise bands were there in prison.  I wonder how many in the crowd would be willing to go to prison for their Christian beliefs?

I feel for these worshipers. I feel they are being led astray by mainstream culture and misguided pastors. I pray that they will come to a better understanding of God’s direction for worship and grow their spiritual understanding.