Recently, we attended a dinner reception that was actually a fundraiser for an issue that is very important to us. Everyone who was there knew what it was meant to be…in other words, we knew that we were there in order that we might give of ourselves (financially in this case) on behalf of someone else. The evening was structured in such a way so that we could hear from the main speaker and a few special guests first, think and talk about what we heard over dinner, and then give a contribution at the end of the evening. We noticed that one of the chairs at our table was empty and wondered what might have happened to the person who was supposed to have been filling it. Right as dinner was being served, the man arrived! Genuinely glad to have made it, he enthusiastically engaged in the conversation around the table and thoroughly enjoyed the meal. After dessert was served, people came around to each table with contribution envelopes for each person and/or couple. When one was offered to the late-comer, he politely refused. Soon after, he was getting up to leave; the person to his left actually asked him if he planned on giving a financial donation…to which he replied, “Nope…I just came for the good food and lively conversation!” Needless to say, we were all a little shocked, fairly disappointed, and, quite frankly, angry that he would take an occasion meant for the good of someone else to use it for his own enjoyment and benefit.

Would you have been? Think about it. Really chew on it. How would you have responded?

Jesus used parables to make a point – to teach life-changing truth to those who would listen. I’m hoping this little parable will help us understand something that He takes very seriously and about which I am very passionate.

Why do we go to church on Sunday morning? Seriously. Why? I have noticed a trend at The Summit…one that is not necessarily unique to our church, though. When the service begins (at 10:00 am), there are only a handful of people present – almost never more than a dozen or so, usually only about 5 or 6! Hmm…maybe lots of folks are on vacation. Or, maybe there is an illness going around. Or…wow…did Mark’s long sermons finally chase everyone away? (Love ya, Mark!!)

Because I’m playing the keyboard while I’m leading worship, I’m not able to look up from my music as often as I would like…especially when there are lots of chord changes! This past week was like that! About half-way through the set, though, I was able to look out on the crowd to share some thoughts before we continued singing. There were a few more folks in their seats – maybe 30 or so. When the set was done, right before the sermon, I was shocked! There were tons of people in auditorium! Exciting, yes! But disappointing, too.

Why do we come to church? Just for the “good food” (the sermon) and the “lively conversation” (fellowship)? Wow. If that is seriously the case, we’ve got it all wrong. We’re not supposed to be there for us. It’s not meant to be about what we can get out of church. How self-centered and prideful of us!! Do we think that the first 20 to 25 minutes of the service is just us trying to figure out how to fill up the time? Is it just take-it-or-leave-it fluff, which most people obviously prefer to ignore? There are tons of excuses that can be offered: “I don’t like singing…the music is too loud/not my style/too soft/too fast/too slow/too whatever…I have a family and it’s just too hard to get out the door to be at church by 10:00…we were out late last night…I got lost (?!)…blah blah blah.”

The first 20 to 25 minutes of worship through music is not just about singing some songs. First of all, singing is very Biblical! The whole book of Psalms is actually a book of songs of praise to God as our Creator, Sustainer, and Redeemer. Praise is recognizing, appreciating, and expressing God’s greatness. “I will praise You, O Lord, with all my heart; I will tell of all Your wonders. I will be glad and rejoice in You; I will sing praise to Your Name, O Most High.” Ps. 9:1,2. “Sing to the Lord, you saints of His; praise His holy Name.” Ps. 30:4 “Sing joyfully to the Lord, you righteous; it is fitting for the upright to praise Him. Praise the Lord with the harp; make music to Him on the ten-stringed lyre. Sing to Him a new song; play skillfully and shout for joy.” Ps. 33:1,2. And on and on the psalms go.

The songs we sing are one means we use to connect with the heart of God. Through them, we are able to praise and exalt His holy and worthy Name, confess (agree with Him) our sin, repent, lay down our burdens, accept His peace, grace, and mercy, recommit ourselves to Him, make requests…we are able to prepare our hearts to meet with Him through the spoken Word. And then, through prayer and song, and sometimes through drama, through silence and reflection, we respond to Him. All of it is meant to bring glory and praise and honor to Jesus…not, necessarily, to just fill a need that we might have. Please don’t misunderstand me…I am not saying that it is wrong to enjoy going to church! It is, indeed, wonderful to gather with the body of Christ.

What’s wrong is when we come to church simply for what we can get out of it. It’s wrong when we don’t like church simply because our preferences aren’t being met. It’s wrong when we completely ignore (skip the worship through song and prayer, etc.) the incredible God who is the reason we gather in order that we might just stuff ourselves with “good food” and hang out with friends.

Is it really “better late than never?” No. If you are coming to church late every Sunday, you are robbing God…and you are robbing yourself.

Stay tuned for some more thoughts on worship.