Worship is a two-edged sword. Few things are as powerful and divisive as the subject—divisive only regarding the deeply held passions toward worship style. Perhaps you prefer a quiet, reflective service or an energetic, free-spirited service. Regardless of the worship method, the subject of our worship is the same.

            Evangelism is our chief service to God’s kingdom, but worship connects us spiritually to God through Christ in the Holy Spirit’s company. Worship brings the outsider into the community to be taught, led, and discipled. Yet too often, the weekly services go on without much of any of those tasks taking place.

            As Christianity throughout Europe and America struggle to revive itself, we must see a revival of spiritual, authentic worship.

            I challenge you to look in your congregation’s archives and find a bulletin from 50 years ago. I am willing to bet you could change the names and dates and reuse the order of worship. I am not suggesting that we change anything about the object of our worship, but only the expression and involvement of others in worship.

            One good brother told me he rejected some of the “new” approaches to worship and likened them to the sins of Nadab and Abihu (Leviticus 10). In that story, Nadab and Abihu, sons of Aaron, “offered strange fire before the Lord, which he commanded them not. And there went out fire from the Lord, and devoured them, and they died.” I will not pretend to know exactly what happened, though I have suspicions. So, let us return to Biblical worship!

            Music. (Psalm 98:1) Music has always been an integral part of worship. Humans are moved or comforted by melodies of praise, reflection, or victory. It can touch us in ways that a sermon cannot. Still, even more mysterious is the mathematical miracle of music theory and how God creatively made variations in frequencies and vibrations to make harmonic sounds. Music is ordered, measured, and downright scientific. I experience God most effectively using music. Unfortunately, too many congregations are divided on style; still, others worship the music itself, rather than the song’s subject.

            Creativity. (Exodus 35:30-35) Moses saw that Bezaleel and Aholiab were gifted craftsmen who cut stones, carved wood, embroiderers, and other skills. My friend, Dr. Michael Ledbetter, has made numerous “chalk talks,” where worshippers watch him skillfully draw a scene based on the sermon, scripture, or devotion. A decade ago, I attended a national conference where a renowned speaker was preaching. A man sat off to the left stage, painting the central point of the preacher’s message on a large canvas. These are not to be confused with “graven images” but expressions of God’s gifts. How can you involve creative people in worship?

            Enjoying Creation. (Psalm 63:3-4) George Younce, the bass singer for The Cathedrals, sang a song about how “God loves to talk to little boys while they’re fishing.” The early morning hunters see the sun come up, the fog lift, and the dew dry. It’s rather moving. Many of us travel to Black Mountain to sit on Cragmont’s porch to admire the views of the mountains. When I see the majesty of God’s creation, I am inspired by the perfection of the creation. I am moved by God’s creativity and by His attention to detail. The stars and planets magnify God’s awesome wonder! Would you consider worshipping outside on a clear spring evening?

            Fasting. (Luke 2:37) Southern Christians are not known for their willingness to fast. In fact, it’s quite the opposite—it’s not a worship service until the chicken arrives! The scripture clearly teaches spiritual fasting as a genuine act of worship. Some fast during the season of Lent (the forty days before Resurrection Day). In the past, there have been calls for fasting and prayer before revival services. When was the last time your church declared a spiritual fast as an act of worship?

            Reading God’s Word. (1 Timothy 4:13) God’s Word is central to the Christian faith. It is the foundation for our faith and practice. How is God’s Word used in worship? I always try to have a passage read in the worship service from both testaments. Do we only read the passage relating to the pastor’s sermon? In one of my past congregations, we committed to reading the entire scripture out loud over several days. It took five days of non-stop reading around the clock. Members would sign up for a timeslot to read the Scripture out loud. When one member finished reading for their committed time slot, they would call or text the next person to pick up where the previous reader left off.

            What are other methods of worship that you find in the scripture? We know proclaiming God’s word through sermons and testimony. What about “giving and sacrifice” (Genesis 22 & 2 Corinthians 9:11), or “serving others” (1 Peter 4:10), or “obedience” (1 Samuel 15:22), or “physical exercise and movement” (Romans 12:1). These are just a few examples; what else can you come up with? Better yet, how can you incorporate them into your personal or collective worship?