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Corporate Worship
his local congregation over the course of several years. Some are exhortations to the worshippers; some are opening prayers; but all come from a desire to prepare believers to worship our awesome and loving Heavenly Father. In today’s WORSHIP QUOTE, Wilson attempts to make a comparison between private and corporate worship. See what you think. CORPORATE WORSHIP You intend this morning to worship the One in whom you have believed—as the creed names Him, God the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth. But you have come HERE in order to do this CORPORATELY. As modern Americans, even when we don’t want to be, we find ourselves thinking in subjectivist and individualistic categories. As you come week after week, you must pray for your mind to be renewed so that you may see just how important the corporate worship of God is—far more important than your quiet time, and honestly, far more important than all our quiet times put together. The worship of the Church is far greater than the sum of its individual parts. Both are important, but we must come to treasure our times with Him alone. But this may sound offensive at first, but think and meditate on it— and worship Him together with His people. The LORD loveth the gates of Zion More than all the dwellings of Jacob. Glorious things are spoken of thee, O city of God! Selah. (Psalm 87:2, 3) — Douglas Wilson, EXHORTATIONS: A CALL TO MATURITY IN WORSHIP, Moscow, Idaho: Charles Nolan Publishers, 2000, p. 117. ISBN 0-9677603-1-3 [I imagine that the author is not wanting members of his congregation to cut back on their individual devotional habits; but he is correctly pointing to the importance of the local Christian church in prayer, song, attention to God’s inspired word as it is read and explained, and regularly remembering our Lord’s death until he comes again. For other selections from this book, look under "Wilson" at the WQOTW index — www.wqotw.org/WQOTW_index.htm.] 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 |