The following was written by John MacArthur Jr., of Grace Community Church in Panorama City, California. It was extracted from the monthly "Grace to You" newsletter, June 17, 1996. A catalog of available tapes, books, and study guides can be obtained by writing, Word of Grace, P.O. Box 4000, Panorama City, CA 91412 or by dialing toll free 1-800-55-GRACE.

It is my intent and prayer that the Holy Spirit will use this extraction to strengthen and encourage the true Church of Jesus Christ. Tony Capoccia
 

Meaningful Worship
by
 John MacArthur Jr.

If you ever visit London, you'll have no trouble spotting St. Paul's cathedral. It's considered to be among the ten most-beautiful buildings in the world, and it dominates the city's skyline. The venerable structure stands as a monument to its creator--astronomer and architect Sir Christopher Wren. While St. Paul's is his best-known achievement, an interesting story is connected with a lesser-known building of his design. 

Wren was given charge of designing the interior of the town hall in Windsor, just west of central London. His plans called for large columns to support the high ceiling. When construction was complete, the city fathers toured the building and expressed concern over one problem: the pillars. It wasn't that they minded the use of pillars--they just wanted them in greater numbers.

Wren's solution was as devilish as it was inspired. He did exactly as he was told and installed four new pillars, thus meeting the demands of his critics. Those extra pillars remain in Windsor town hall to this day, and they aren't difficult to identify. They are the ones that support no weight and, in fact, never even reach the ceiling. They're fakes. Wren installed the pillars to serve only one purpose--to look good. They are an ornamental embellishment built to satisfy the eye. In terms of supporting the building and fortifying the structure, they are as useful as the paintings that hang on the walls.

While it saddens me to say this, I believe many churches have constructed a few decorative pillars of their own. Specifically during the worship service. Have you noticed when it comes to corporate worship--what the church does when the congregation comes together--it's hard to find a believer who isn't left a little flat by it all? Something's missing. Something important.

Could it be we're reaping the consequences of abandoning the biblical model for worship and erecting a purely decorative model? Is it possible we've built a facade that offers no support, bears little weight, and falls far short of reaching the heights God designed and desires it to be?

Real, meaningful worship with God's people is not optional. It's not a suggestion. It's not a take-it-or-leave-it proposition. Worship on the Lord's Day should be the crowning joy of our week. It's our opportunity to engage our minds toward God. To enjoy His people. To bask in His presence. To corporately drink from His Word. To give of our talents and resources. To encourage and to be encouraged. To offer praise.

But the emphasis on biblical worship and the elements that make for a rich and transforming worship service have been replaced in recent years by a thinly veiled window dressing. Substance has been replaced by shadow. Content is out--style is in. Meaning is out-- method is in. The worship service may look right, but it bears little spiritual weight.

That trend is perhaps most evident in an area especially close to my heart. The teaching of God's Word. The most obvious examples are churches that blatantly downplay the Bible and the teaching of its actual meaning, and instead, emphasize ritual and tradition.

But that example is an easy one to point a finger at. What about the conservative, evangelical churches that have taken a slightly different but equally perilous road?

Worship services that once revolved around truth and the systematic teaching of the Bible have been replaced by flashy entertainment and mini-sermons. The light of Scripture has lost out to light shows and special effects. The preacher's stage presence is scrutinized more than his sermon. Time once reserved by the pastor for teaching has been whittled to a few paltry minutes of home-spun humor and chat. Strikes me as a decorative pillar that doesn't support much weight and never quite reaches the ceiling.

Another area pushed onto the fringe of the worship services is the ordinances. By ordinances, I mean water baptism and the Lord's table--communion. Scripture is clear. Baptism and communion are integral to church life and should have a high profile in worship.

But some churches have all but abandoned baptism and communion, dooming them to mid-week services where they're less likely to offend unbelievers. What's more, the meaning of baptism and communion seldom is taught, which condemns them to a slow death at the hands of obscurity and neglect.

One other area of worship in the church that has lost much of its meaning may surprise you. It's one I don't speak of often, but one that has been vital to my church and ministry since the beginning.

I believe music has lost its rightful place in our worship, and become an ornamental pillar.

Instead of music allowing us an active, personal response to God's truth, it has become background noise--filler to keep us occupied while the offering plates are passed. Instead of elevating our thoughts of God beyond what we would or could do alone, it's a mindless routine we hardly notice. Instead of extracting us from the trappings of daily life and drawing our thoughts upward, it's a seventh-inning stretch just before the preaching. Instead of glorifying God, it's a stroke to the egos of a few performers. Instead of engaging our minds to the truth of who God is and what He has done, it's an emotional merry-go-round we jump on and off at will.

But is the secret to making worship music more meaningful simply a matter of choosing older songs or a different style? Not necessarily. Martin Luther said music is a servant created and given by God. He was right. The music itself--the notes, the sounds, the rhythm--is merely a tool to help communicate truth. As long as the style doesn't overshadow or contradict the message and the message is accurate, music is a matter of preference.

The real heart of music is in its meaning--in the truth contained in its lyrics. Truth is the wellspring from which all genuine worship flows. Truth is what makes music a load-bearing pillar in the church and not an ornament. When our music is based in truth, it elevates our thoughts of God. It propels our hearts toward heaven in a way nothing else can. It thrills us, and at the same time, plows deep into the hardened soil of our hearts. Above all, it takes our eyes off ourselves and gives glory to God. It heightens our awareness of His holiness. It arouses our sense of both our total unworthiness and our utter blessedness.

Certainly music can and should stir emotions. However the emotions should come in response to truth--not at its expense. By themselves, emotions never qualify as worship.

I'm afraid until we recognize music's rightful place and train ourselves to choose and use it with care, it will remain nothing more than an ornamental pillar doing little to support the church. What's worse, we will have missed the real power that true worship has to offer. The power to change our lives and draw us closer to God.

Added to Bible Bulletin Board's "MacArthur's Collection" by:

Tony Capoccia
Bible Bulletin Board
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