Worship: Affirming God’s mission

Is there a problem with modern worship?

One author asserts that the problem with modern worship is not the use of lights or the creation and performance of original music. The issue is not the “dimly lit room,” the big band, or the “creative music.” We could illuminate the church and use a simple piano and a chorister. While these changes might provide temporary fixes, they will not address the core, underlying issue that remains overlooked.¹

So what is the real problem?

Worship has become a feeling in the postmodern era. One author says, “I’ve noticed a trend during the praise and worship portion of service at different churches that I’ve visited, and even ones where I’ve been a member. . . . Our worship should extend well beyond a church service.”² Worship is not only about emotion. It should not be a feel-good factor. Worship is not a self-centered activity; rather, it is theocentric.

When worship revolves around emotionalism, it is devoid of true reverence. In the church setting, emotionalism “is a reaction that is based on a human sentiment or feeling,” lacking true worship and any “real sustaining substance.” Throughout this article, it is important to distinguish clearly between emotionalism and emotions that arise from genuine worship.³

The core issue of this article is the benefit we derive from worship. Does our worship bring a feel-good factor to our lives, or does it motivate us to become involved in the mission of God?

What is worship?

Swiss Reformed theologian Karl Barth characterizes Christian worship as “the most momentous, the most urgent, the most glorious action that can take place in human life.”⁴ These profound words resonate with all who seek to revitalize the worship experience in the contemporary, postmodern church. It is no wonder that the term worship service is employed in diverse ways. Authors Ronald Allen and Gordon Borror articulate worship as “an active response to God whereby we declare His worth. Worship is not passive, but is participative. Worship is not simply a mood; it is a response. Worship is not just a feeling; it is a declaration.”⁵

We must involve church members in worship experiences that motivate them to be involved in God’s mission. Without this motivation, worship runs the risk of devolving into a routine social gathering or a weekend leisure pursuit.

Origin of worship

Worship encompasses our entire being responding in praise to all that God is. It manifests through our attitudes, actions, thoughts, and words and is rooted in the truth of God as He has revealed Himself. God is the Originator of worship, and He alone is the rightful recipient of it.

The earliest mention of worship is recorded during the time of Seth, as stated in Genesis 4:26: “At that time men began to call on the name of the Lord” (MEV). Since then, God has communicated with individuals, initiated animal sacrifices, and established covenants as integral components of worship (e.g., Gen. 12:1–3; Gen. 9:8–12).⁶ Throughout history, God has safeguarded His people, called them for specific purposes, and responded to their acts of worship (Gen. 7:1–3; 8:21).

The journey of the Israelites was marked by moments of worship to the Lord. At Mount Sinai, God explicitly commands the Israelites to worship Him exclusively (Exod. 20:1–6; Deut. 5:6–10), emphasizing the necessity of undivided devotion to Him:

“I am the Lord your God. . . .

“You shall have no other gods before me” (Exod. 20:2, 3, NIV).

Throughout the Israelites’ time in the wilderness, the sanctuary served as a tangible symbol of God’s presence and a designated gathering place for worship (Exod. 25:8; Ps. 95:6).

What does God expect?

The prophet Isaiah elucidates the essence of worship, stating,

“I will bring them to my holy mountain

and make them joyful in my house of prayer;

their burnt offerings and sacrifices

will be accepted on my altar;

for my house will be called

a house of prayer for all peoples”
(Isa. 56:7, CJB).

The primary objective of worship is to extend an invitation to all individuals to partake in the presence of God. This embodies the mission of God, and worship serves to fulfill the divine purpose of inviting every individual to the saving knowledge of God.

Worship and mission

The worship practices of ancient Israel were primarily centered on uplifting believers within the confines of Israel. The establishment of a physical structure in Jerusalem served multiple purposes—one of which is underscored by King Solomon. During his prayer of dedication for the temple, he implored God:

“As for the foreigner who does not belong to your people Israel but has come from a distant land because of your name—for they will hear of your great name and your mighty hand and your outstretched arm—when they come and pray toward this temple, then hear from heaven, your dwelling place. Do whatever the foreigner asks of you, so that all the peoples of the earth may know your name and fear you, as do your own people Israel, and may know that this house I have built bears your Name” (1 Kings 8:41–43, NIV).

In the Old Testament, God chose the children of Israel as agents of mission. God’s Old Testament model of mission was centripetal: the children of Israel remained in the Holy Land, serving as witnesses to the nations of God’s salvation. The mission model of the New Testament was centrifugal: spreading the message of salvation to the entire world. The key factor in the centrifugal model is going out into the world.⁷

Principles of mission worship

Here are five principles to reorient the worship service toward a mission-oriented endeavor.

1. Embrace God’s commission. The purpose of worship extends to the fulfillment of God’s mission. Embedded within the gospel commission is an element of worship: “ ‘And teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you’ ” (Matt. 28:20, NIV). Worship serves to educate church members in their involvement in the Great Commission. If the church service fails to equip its members with the motivation for God’s mission, it risks devolving into mere entertainment. Author Ellen White underscores the importance of every church functioning as a training ground for Christian workers. Its members should receive instruction on conducting Bible readings, leading Sabbath School classes, aiding the disadvantaged, caring for the sick, and evangelizing the unreached.⁸
2. Engage the heart. The worship service aims to foster the growth of members in their relationship with Christ. Worship necessitates the active engagement of believers’ hearts in the service of God. When the heart is fully invested in God’s mission, it satisfies the emotional aspect of worship. Thus, the worship service should facilitate believers in establishing a profound connection with God and His mission.
3. Take action. Each worship service ought to propel believers to extend the worship experience beyond the confines of the church building. Engaging church members in mission activities is paramount. During my tenure as a church pastor in Bangalore, India, congregants convened for branch Sabbath School and outreach endeavors following the church service. This initiative led to the establishment of six congregations in nearby communities, exemplifying the transformation of worship into a mission-focused endeavor.
4. Compassion and service. The importance of worship and compassion for the poor and needy was clearly articulated by Amos. He urges his audience to “ ‘let justice roll on like a river, / righteousness like a never-failing stream!’ ” (Amos 5:24, NIV). J. Gordon McConville suggests that Amos considers justice and righteousness essential elements of worship. Without both, worship becomes unacceptable to God (vv. 4–7, 14, 15, 21–24). McConville advances the argument further by stating that “the covenant people knew well that God is denied and even blasphemed when there is a form of worship apart from the love of [one’s] neighbour, which desires to do justice. In that case, the worship becomes, not merely irrelevant, but offensive to God.”⁹ It transforms into a mere obligatory act.
5. Point to beliefs and Jesus’ soon coming. The worship service serves to strengthen the church members’ trust and confidence in the foundational beliefs of the church. Each worship service must be meticulously planned to nurture and educate members in the teachings of the Scriptures. In his advice to young Timothy, Paul emphasizes the importance of diligent study: “Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth” (2 Tim. 2:15, KJV). The message of the Second Coming is the central focus of the mission of God and should motivate church members for missions.

Mission-oriented worship

How do church pastors and worship leaders motivate their members for the mission of God? Here are some practical ways to encourage church members to participate in mission projects after the worship experience. These methods may vary in application depending on the context.

Transform worship. To foster a spirit of mission among the church members, churches should plan to preach at least two sermons a month on the mission of God. Having a preaching schedule that includes regular sermons on this theme can better motivate church members to commit to God’s mission. Planning worship services with mission in mind can significantly enhance the commitment of the church toward the mission of God.

Mission to extend the horizon. Every local church should actively train its members to engage in outreach ministry. During the early days of my ministry as an associate pastor in Bangalore, India, the church had a unique way of spending the Sabbath. After each service, under the supervision of the pastoral staff, church members would gather, form into small groups, and visit the surrounding localities, including places where their relatives lived. Over six months of visits, the church members were ready to start branch Sabbath Schools.

These branch Sabbath Schools eventually grew into small congregations that later developed into churches around the city of Bangalore. The main church and its members played a crucial role in establishing at least five churches in the city. This practical approach toward mission-inspired church members to stay motivated for God’s mission after worship services.

Mission refocus. The Seventh-day Adventist Church regularly reviews its mission strategies and introduces new approaches. Every five years the church sets the tone and rhythm for mission work globally. For the years 2022–2025, the world church is concentrating on the theme of Mission Refocus. Each mission, conference, and union field are encouraged to send one missionary for cross-
cultural missions. In order to effectively promote and practice this noble task, local churches should be actively involved. Every local church should be motivated to send one missionary to participate in cross-cultural missions. Additionally, every worship service should include an altar call to encourage members to respond to the mission of God.

Conclusion

The worship service should be entirely centered on God, who alone deserves reverence and awe. Its primary purpose is to motivate church members to engage in the mission of God. Without this motivation, the church risks becoming merely a social club where members are entertained and appreciated for the wrong reasons. In order to keep the church vibrant and dynamic, it is essential to encourage church members to participate in God’s mission. While weekend potlucks, basketball tournaments, and soccer games can foster warmth and unity, they are not sufficient. Church members must be inspired to engage in the mission of God, especially given the imminent return of Jesus Christ. Get your church involved. Jesus is coming soon!