What I am sad about is that more people, and specifically people in church leadership, don’t grasp what is being discussed here.

I’ve said to our team many times that our worship can only be authentic when it causes us to reach out to the world around us. If it causes us to remain or become an island, we’re missing the point.

I don’t want to place a higher value on others instead of God, I just want us to recognize that intrinsically focused worship is only one aspect of worship.

Tyler, first, I want to say that I really appreciate that you are teaching while leading. I don’t think enough leaders are taking the time to help people focus. It’s easy to play a cool song, but too often we dont know the why, or even worse, the who!

I think I agree with your post here, but I do have one concern and its probably just semantic.

You said, “I explained to them that worship, in its fullness can’t be something that is only between us and God”

I think I know what you meant, but I would disagree that worship is more than just God and us. I believe the word fullness is where I get lost, but wanted to clarify it for my sake :)

I believe that as we worship, and our eyes are fixed on Him, that He leads us away from our selfish desires and intentions and places the desires of His heart into us. This includes the care and attention of others. The desire to live out in action, on mission. So, worshipping Him, leads to missional living. Missional living is worship, because it’s ultimate goal is to please Him.

But, my issue with the statement, is that it sounds as if we could bring the action, or even others into our worship. I believe that some people and churches place a higher priority on the doing, than the God we serve. I think the God we serve comes first, but the fruit is in the doing. I see the priests of Biblical times, being very focused on their God while in the temple. But once outside, their lives went to task.

Does this make sense?

Great post tyler, great challenge!