Protestant Reformation: a Prologue to Christian Civilization

“Christianity has developed into a highly ritual-filled tradition and many of its significant practices are acts of public worship associated with the sacraments.” – Living Religion, 4th edition pg. 266.

While there are those who may be uncomfortable with the idea that worship is a goal in making disciples, the goal of Christian education according to Mitchell is to make a disciple who worships Jesus. Mitchell points out that worship is more than just showing up at church on Sunday morning for an hour of corporate worship. He points out that worship according to John 4:19 -24 goes much deeper than just that time of corporate worship that we often think of as

Christian worship centers on meetings or services held on Sunday. These services consist of Biblical readings, communion, and music either with or without instrumental accompaniment, prayer, a teaching from the Bible in the form of a sermon and a collection of tithes. Other forms of worship, such

The big question or concern that is initially raised is simply the correct concern that “many

The authors point out a huge problem that is alive and well in the church. Due to personal preferences, the church has separated itself from one another. Not only are different cultures separate but the age differences within the church are separated amongst themselves. The leaders of worship within the church whether they are pastors or worship band leaders must not

Celebrating the presence and power of God sets into motion by prayers, songs, and worship. Although this may be true, it requires action from the congregation, pastors, and all ministers. By serving an almighty God you are touched in a way only God can do. Some people cannot see why others put their heart into worshipping a loving God. Understanding how slaves entrusted God through their life and times of being held down surely we can do it now. Worshiping God in spirit and in truth.

Many of them, such as latreuo, emphasize the religious rites performed to pay homage to or venerate God (Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament Based on Semantic Domains, pg 531-34). Others, such as proskuneo, means to literally “to kiss toward” or “to bow down,” which focus on the expression, by attitude or gesture that hold immense regard for God (Greek-English Lexicon, pg 540-541). They convey a profound sense of humility, respect, and deep love for the God they worship. Other words highlight bringing offerings, which has become a central component of our liturgy. Within the Lutheran understanding as well as the early Christian church insists that every act of worship should be understood as part of the Church’s offering to God. All the music, from prelude to postlude, offers to God instrumentalists’ talents, “producing sounds that please God and serve the purpose of helping people to worship God” (The Gift of Worship, pg 39). The prayers of thanksgiving, confession, and intercession, whether silent or spoken corporately aloud, are presented to God as a gift. When one preaches a sermon is not just the gift of the one preaching, nor are choral and instrumental gifts simply the contribution of the choir or band, all involve the offering of themselves by all members of the congregation. Therefore, it is important to keep in mind all those present when one plans a worship service so that all persons may

In chapter one of McGowan’s book, we see a compare and contrast given with how the early church worshiped more communally as opposed to how we worship today; which is more aesthetic and internal. McGowan reiterates numerously that worship in the New Testament is a subject of service, reverence and ethics. “They were not merely one sacramental part of a community or worship life but the central act around or within which others— reading and preaching, prayer and prophecy— were arranged.” The New Testament was in the setting of a very communal culture. And

In order to evaluate the worship at North Cleveland Church of God, there must first be a working definition of worship. For many in the church world today, music and worship have become synonymous. However, limiting worship to music is a very dangerous thing. Jerald Daffe (D.Min.), professor at Lee University, defines worship as, “our response to God declaring His worth as He has revealed Himself to us.” According to this definition, worship is not something that can be put into a box; moreover, worship is an overflow of the heart, and that overflow is a response that will be unique to every individual. So if worship in its true essence is really more of a personal language through which an individual can express his or her thanks and adoration to the creator God, then the most meaningful way to evaluate the worship at North Cleveland Church of God would be to analyze the actions of the leaders and the environment that is created to lead people into that special moment.

We need to get rid of the idea that worship is music. Worship is not music. Most persons have overused the word worship to title a genre of music, which has subjected human minds to put ‘worship’ into the single category of singing or playing an instrument. This notion has tainted what Scripture has to say. Singing is certainly a necessity in expressing thankfulness and joy, the Apostle

Inside the church the liturgy would be based on the Common Book of Prayers. The Common Book of Prayer contains the text for the new baptisms and the future communion. During Worship service there were no seating arrangements when it came to God. The Vestry Room in the church was the dressing room for all of the clergymen so they could dress for the service.

The first impact of the early Church was from the revolutionaries that was told, according to the Book of Acts, was very different from what we know of Church’s today. They met in their homes and spoke about God, and the truth of His words. As these early Church’s changed the world they also brought about the most amazing and powerful gift to the world.

Currently, myriads of churches tumble into this false dichotomy. Traditional-based churches sing church hymns with few instruments. On the other side, the contemporary church demonstrates itself, replete with stage lighting, mixing boards, projection systems for the lyrics, etc. Nevertheless, either form of music imparts itself as an acceptable form of worship, moreover, authentic worship puts God in the center, the object of worship. However, the debate continues in Christian circles over the superior form of worship music.

Having grown up in the church, I was taught from a young age about the miracles Jesus performed. When attending a Sunday service I have come to expect worship,

The nature of the worship facility consisted of communion and prayers of forgiveness and faith.