Are we worshiping God or 'god'?

[Sharnadeen]

I have observed quite a number of developing trends in our churches that beg the frightening question of who we are worshiping. Common among those trends are the tendency of persons to spend more time on their cell phones than they do in worship and the tendency to 'make an entrance' when entering the sanctuary. I can't help but ask myself - What kind of message are we sending to the world as Christians?

I'll begin this discussion with an understanding of the word 'worship'.  Worship is derived from the Old English word 'Woerthship' which means to give worth to something. So when we worship God, we give worth to Him. Sadly, it appears that the saints are giving worth to other things in the house of the Lord. Here I will identify two obvious reasons that are rather disturbing to fathom but as it is a reality within the churches I will make mention of them today.

The 'cellphone syndrome'

We all need to communicate with others over the phone for different reasons. But I find it very disrespectful for the saints to perpetually excuse themselves from the sermon to be on the outside messaging and talking for an extensive period. Not that it is anybody's business to know the nature of these conversations, but when it happens more often than not I'm afraid that we are sending the wrong message to our unsaved visitors. Do we not show reverence to the Lord anymore? I especially observe this trend among our young people of which group I am a part. I fail to believe that our young people use their discretion for they excuse themselves in large numbers at once. It appears that the cellphones get the 'worth' that should have been given to God and therefore it automatically becomes the god that is worshiped.

Our God has feelings too. I am more concerned about His feelings than I am with the reputation of the church. For many saints, the time spent in the house of the Lord is the longest and sometimes only time spent with God. If the latter is the case then all the more reason why He deserves our undivided attention. Let's face it, three hours of prayer and worship is the least we can give to God considering all that He does for us on a daily basis. The church needs to be careful not to provoke the Holy Spirit and not to send the wrong message to those who are lost and in need of our guidance.

The problem with 'making an entrance'

By now many of us would have realized that persons go to church for different reasons; to spectate, to see friends, to wear a nice suit and a few to seek God. There are many other reasons but these are the few I could think of today. Having said that, there are many within the church who perpetually make an entrance under the influence of a 'disruptive spirit' I suppose. This trend may not be very evident in the larger churches, but as my church is small the trend is becoming more noticeable. Saints are not only expected to be present for sermons but are expected to be there on time. It is very distasteful when visitors arrive in the sanctuary before the members do and to make matters worse, our visitors are distracted each time someone walks through the aisle to take a seat.  

What about respecting the time of the Holy Spirit? I understand that anyone can be late but when the same persons have heads spinning each week, their actions shift from just being late to 'making an entrance'. Leaders are often times included and I don't just mean Pastors, Bishops, Deacons etc. I mean any person within the church body who demonstrates his leadership abilities in even the smallest possible way. Why are persons making an entrance? It is certainly not because of a desire to be noticed by God but rather 'god', who is seated somewhere in the sanctuary. 

This is one of the reasons why it is increasingly harder to convince an unsaved or even a backslider to return to God. These groups of persons are understandably confused by the double standards that exist within the church. No wonder there is a growing number of non-denominational Christians in our societies today. The church has a voice and we want to be heard, but let us consider addressing some of the ongoing issues among ourselves before we advocate for modesty and decency anywhere else.

These are two growing trends that I have observed in church. Have you observed any other?

Edited December 6, 2016 by Sharnadeen

[RustyAngeL]

I try to concentrate on worshiping God and not what others are doing.  

The cell phone bugs me in everyday life.  I"m amazed that people can not even be in a waiting room at the doctors office without having their cell phone in their hands.  I have a friend who can't go to the store without having her cell phone glued to her ear.  I too have a cell phone, but when I"m out in public I never use it.  If someone does text me or call me and it's not an emergency I wait until I get home to answer it  and when in church, it is off, period.                                                      

[Sharnadeen]

8 minutes ago, Yowm said:

Nicely put.

I'm not sure 'non denominational churches fair any better, I attend one and we have a family literally like clockwork, strut down the aisle right about the 2nd song (guess I shouldn't be noticing but it is a distraction). Cell phones and it's obsession ugh, truly an idol next to self.

 I think  we need God's grace to convict the Church leaders to get back and focus on the essentials (instead of themselves?), like the the Judgement to come, sin, death, hell, the  Cross, God's Holiness ..and hopefully by God's grace our youth will come under conviction of things essential and will want to honor the One who truly died for their sin.

Yown, I'm glad you also realize the absence of the essentials (Hell, the return of Jesus etc.). I am really tired of hearing about prosperity....

[Sharnadeen]

1 minute ago, RustyAngeL said:

I try to concentrate on worshiping God and not what others are doing.  

The cell phone bugs me in everyday life.  I"m amazed that people can not even be in a waiting room at the doctors office without having their cell phone in their hands.  I have a friend who can't go to the store without having her cell phone glued to her ear.  I too have a cell phone, but when I"m out in public I never use it.  If someone does text me or call me and it's not an emergency I wait until I get home to answer it  and when in church, it is off, period.                                                      

That's it! We ought to turn our phones off or something. I hardly get missed calls during church hours because I've set a standard from day 1, and that is, I do not accept calls when I'm at church...When the emergencies come up then I'll handle accordingly.

[Sharnadeen]

2 minutes ago, Yowm said:

thx, it's always been in my nature to go to the core and foundation of an issue, and it seems to me many of our assemblies have strayed subsequently leading many sheep astray by focusing on the non essentials of the faith.

Adding to your point, many persons are afraid to speak out for fear of disappointing their leaders rather than fear of disappointing the Holy Ghost.

[other one]

I don't have a cell phone.....  I have a computer that occasionally can be used as a phone....   I use it most places I go to check out information....   even at the doctors office to keep track of what drugs I take and the last instructions I got from her....    and I am seldom bored because I can always open it up and read Worthy posts....   or send my grand kids my love or just listen to the news.

It lets me keep mentally busy and follow up on people who need prayer and are having emergencies.   How many of you have a prayer listing at church that you can access and see who needs prayer....    or for that matter here at worthy, there are almost always people needing prayer.

your phone is a very good tool, and you shouldn't really think that everyone who uses one a lot is wasting thier time.     I have the outline of my pastors sermons on my tablet and a very good Bible program that I use to keep up with all his scripture...   

 

btw he knows how I use my phone and tablet so it isn't a distraction with him.

So, all you phone and tablet naysayers just need to learn how to do positive things with a very good tool....

When you ride with me down the road you will listen to my phone reading the Bible to you as we go....

 

 

[Sharnadeen]

Other One... your case is very odd..Very rarely have I seen persons who step outside use their cellphones to pray for others in the middle of a church service. I think that it is very disrespectful for the Word of God to be taught or being read but at the same time persons are doing their own thing or teaching others themselves. Our God is not the author of confusion 1 Corinthians 14:33, one God, one order one standard. I understand your point but would not encourage that this be done within that 3 hours of assembling with a church 'family' so they may be edified. I believe there is a time and a place for everything.

[gdemoss]

I am careful as to what I condemn.  Romans 1, 2 and 3 let me know that I need to check myself rather than everyone else.  I have been the reprobate, the self-righteous and the Jew who taught everyone else without teaching myself.  My instruction is to love others.  

[other one]

1 hour ago, Sharnadeen said:

Other One... your case is very odd..Very rarely have I seen persons who step outside use their cellphones to pray for others in the middle of a church service. I think that it is very disrespectful for the Word of God to be taught or being read but at the same time persons are doing their own thing or teaching others themselves. Our God is not the author of confusion 1 Corinthians 14:33, one God, one order one standard. I understand your point but would not encourage that this be done within that 3 hours of assembling with a church 'family' so they may be edified. I believe there is a time and a place for everything.

when you are involved in intercessory prayer you don't always get to pick the time.....     during a church service getting a text or a wake up call at two AM in the morning......   it's all the same....    btw my hearing aids are Bluetooth connected to my phone so it doesn't interrupt anything....   and it's not uncommon for us to pray during a service......    and if it's something that needs corporate prayer people just take thier phones to the front of the church to the pastor and we stop and pray...   and that's not just me, but most anyone there.    Our church is centered on prayer...  There are times when people will just pray and start giving testimonies about things happening good or bad that needs prayer or prase and the pastor will not preach at all...    The spirit moves us as a group.  Wednesday nights are pure prayer meetings for adults and maybe we will start that Sunday nights as well.  Wednesday nights we have a dinner and special things for the kids...   we have as many kids at church as we do adults and it's awesome to attend.

[Sharnadeen]

1 minute ago, other one said:

when you are involved in intercessory prayer you don't always get to pick the time.....     during a church service getting a text or a wake up call at two AM in the morning......   it's all the same....    btw my hearing aids are Bluetooth connected to my phone so it doesn't interrupt anything....   and it's not uncommon for us to pray during a service......    and if it's something that needs corporate prayer people just take thier phones to the front of the church to the pastor and we stop and pray...   and that's not just me, but most anyone there.    Our church is centered on prayer...  There are times when people will just pray and start giving testimonies about things happening good or bad that needs prayer or prase and the pastor will not preach at all...    The spirit moves us as a group.  Wednesday nights are pure prayer meetings for adults and maybe we will start that Sunday nights as well.  Wednesday nights we have a dinner and special things for the kids...   we have as many kids at church as we do adults and it's awesome to attend.

That's amazing! But that is just not the case where I am.