Category Archives: Worship

May 27, 2021 · 6:59 am

Getting Back to the “Old Normal”

The “new normal” is an expression we’ve heard a good bit this past year during the COVID-19 pandemic. And it was not a phrase I particularly liked or embraced.

The “new normal” has been characterized by masks, social distancing, and no handshakes or hugs.

In terms of the church’s work and mission, it has for a time suspended public gatherings, and then limited their frequency and/or the number attending. It has kept brethren apart. Canceled gospel meetings. Limited fellowship. Put plans on hold. Hampered ministry projects. And to a large extent social-distanced us from the brotherhood. Continue reading →

6 Comments

Filed under Fellowship, Worship

Tagged as

September 15, 2020 · 7:55 am

Worship is a Witness to the Unbeliever

Since we have been traveling for the past 28 months we have visited over 40 congregations.

While in most cases I’ve preached for the churches we visited, sometimes we were just passing through and stopped to worship. Being a visitor, as opposed to being a member of that congregation, seems to have heightened my sense of observation about the worship services, Bible classes, preaching, and our reception by the members.

Today’s Bible reading in 1 Corinthians 14, reminds me that we have a responsibility in our worship toward outsiders and non-Christians. Continue reading →

1 Comment

Filed under Worship

Tagged as

March 27, 2020 · 8:08 am

Is it Wrong to Observe the Lord’s Supper at Home?

Earlier this week, we asked the question, “Is it wrong for churches to cancel worship services?” I appreciate the many positive comments regarding the post.

However, as one of our readers responded, “This brings up another question. Is it scriptural to partake of the Lord’s Supper individually at home?”

Others have asked and commented on this issue as well. Here are a few thoughts for your serious and prayerful consideration. Continue reading →

51 Comments

Filed under COVID-19, Worship

Tagged as ,

March 24, 2020 · 7:45 am

Is it Wrong for Churches to Cancel Services?

This question raised today reminds me of the old joke about the politician who was asked by a reporter his position on a particular issue.

“Well, there are two ways to look at it,” he responded. Then launched into a lengthy explanation of both views, giving both the pros and cons of the respective positions. He concluded by saying he had friends on both sides of the question.

“But what’s your position?” the reporter pressed. Continue reading →

47 Comments

Filed under Church, COVID-19, Worship

Tagged as , ,

January 8, 2020 · 8:13 am

A Passage To Ponder: Mark 3:1-5

A husband and wife were on the way home from worship one Sunday morning. As they rode along, the wife asked her husband, “Did you see that woman in the front row showing off her Liz Claiborne suit?”

“No, I didn’t,” her husband replied.

“Well, did you see that man on our left–the one wearing that gaudy sport jacket that clashed with his slacks?” Continue reading →

2 Comments

Filed under Worship

Tagged as ,

June 13, 2019 · 7:35 am

4 Reasons To Attend Worship

In recent days there has been some discussion on facebook about a quote from the Christian hip hop artist Toby McKeehan, better known by his stage name TobyMac.

Some have suggested his quote as posted above implies that the only reason we attend church is to worship God. Others have opined that we are also there for fellowship. And so the discourse ensued, debating and discussing the purpose of our worship assembly.

The Bible reveals at least 4 valid reasons for attending church services. Continue reading →

5 Comments

Filed under Worship

Tagged as ,

April 12, 2019 · 7:49 am

Will Bagels and Coffee Improve our Worship?

“During our years of church planting, we tried to change people’s perceptions about what the Sunday worship would look like,” wrote Michelle Lazurek, in a recent Crosswalk.com article.

“We took out pews and replaced them with pub tables and chairs, added lights and a stage and most importantly,” the award-winning author and preacher’s wife said, “(we) added a breakfast bar where people could grab bagels and other breakfast foods and coffee during the service.”

Lazurek admitted, “Not everyone loved these changes.” Continue reading →

4 Comments

Filed under Worship

Tagged as , , ,

February 7, 2019 · 6:12 am

There Will Be Singing

Robert Ingersoll was a 19th century agnostic and a follower of naturalism; he had no belief in the eternal, but stressed the importance of living only in the here and now.

Ingersoll made light of the Bible, stating that “free thought will give us truth.” He called the Bible “a fable, an obscenity, a sham and a lie.” He claimed that the Christian “creed [was] the ignorant past, bullying the enlightened present.” Continue reading →

3 Comments

Filed under Worship

Tagged as , , , , ,

January 25, 2019 · 6:34 am

How Should Christians Regard the Sabbath?

 

Last week we published a post, “Are the Ten Commandments Binding Today?” In response one of our regular readers asked us to write about our position on the 4th commandment.

If you haven’t read last week’s post, click here to read it first. Continue reading →

9 Comments

Filed under Sunday, Worship

Tagged as , , , ,

December 18, 2018 · 7:09 am

Managing Distractions During Worship

Recently we wrote about our involvement in worship, Moving From a Noun to A Verb, that apparently prompted a reader to find a 6-year-old post, Hindrances to Worship.

In that post, we discussed some things that detract and distract our attention from worshiping God in the assembly. The post elicited this question from the reader: “What are some of the strategies for overcoming these distractions while we are worshiping God?” Continue reading →

1 Comment

Filed under Worship

Tagged as , , , ,