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Forms of Worship
and content in our acts of Christian worship. How soon we forget! The author is music professor and worship leader, Barry Liesch. FORMS OF WORSHIP We often confuse form with spirituality. Worshiping a certain way or in a certain style doesn't make us spiritually superior. True, the content in forms can encourage us to pursue maturity in Christ, but the forms themselves don't make us spiritual. . . . It is unfair (and dangerous!) to equate spirituality with any form. . . .Ultimately, the Spirit of God must animate ANY form with his presence and power if we are to experience authentic worship. We are dependant on God, not forms. - Barry Liesch, in THE NEW WORSHIP: STRAIGHT TALK ON MUSIC AND THE CHURCH, Chapter 1 "Hymns or Choruses?" Baker Books, 1996, pp. 20-21. [Lord, show us your ways. Lead us to a spirituality that is authentically connected to you. May your Holy Spirit be our worship teacher. May your greater glory be our aim and delight. We pray this in the name of the risen Christ. Amen.] Have a great week, Chip Stam Director, Institute for Christian Worship School of Church Music and Worship Southern Baptist Theological Seminary Louisville, Kentucky www.carlstam.org www.sbts.edu |