Simple, Reverent Worship

For our rejoicing is this, the testimony of our conscience, that in simplicity and godly sincerity, not with fleshly wisdom, but by the grace of God, we have had our conversation in the world.

2 Corinthians 1:12

Pass the time of your sojourning here in fear [reverence].

1 Peter 1:17

We are still in the middle of the worship wars. The sides are shifting, but the lines still exist. The problem is not trying to explain what we are against—we know that pretty well—not contemporary, not rock etc.

We are just not very good at explaining what we are for. Quick quiz–describe what you want the worship in your church to be like? (not necessarily what it is)

Some in fundamental circles call it “traditional” worship. But that terminology is wholly inadequate. Since when do fundamentalists consider tradition a justification for doctrine or practice? If tradition is the standard, we are in trouble. After all, “tradition” as a standard for doctrine or practice is a reformation era argument—for the wrong side.

Others use the term “conservative.” That term sounds political, but more importantly it seems very close to “traditional” in that it seems focused on preserving something of the past rather than modeling the motivations that should drive true biblical worship. It’s close to describing what we want, but only by association, not by actual definition.

Let me suggest two descriptive words that I think make sense for the biblical type of worship we are seeking.

Our worship should be simple.

Now I understand that Old Testament worship practices could be downright extravagant. The day of the dedication of Solomon’s Temple was one of the most extravagant in human history. But from what we can tell, the model that Jesus set in the New Testament was a simple, moving service. The Lord’s Supper—the first one, was the most important worship service in history—Jesus led it. It was a simple meal followed by an unaccompanied hymn. These types of simple worship services—in homes, synagogues, and outdoor meeting places–characterized the New Testament era.

Jesus said that we must worship in sincerity and in truth (John 4:24). The sincere truth is best clothed in simplicity. Much of what is called worship today—whether contemporary or traditional—drowns the truth in self-serving showmanship and not in the humility that is truth’s most becoming garb. Sometimes musical talent—and the desire to show it—overrides meaningful worship.

The second word that should characterize our worship is reverent.

There is no substitute for this. A spirit of humble, joyful, sobriety ought to characterize our worship gift to the God who is supremely holy. When you consider the sinfulness of the worshipers and the holiness of the object of worship there can be no other appropriate atmosphere. The problem with worship today is not so much about music styles—that is a symptom of the deeper problem. It is a fundamental lack of reverence. It is a lack of interest in offering something to God that we humbly believe would be pleasing to him. Instead we feed our flesh and egos as we make “stars” of worship leaders or seek to satisfy the desires of the masses. And lest one side of this debate rises up in pride—this is a problem in every worship format—contemporary, conservative, traditional, or whatever we want to call it.

What we need is sincere, simple, reverent worship. Here are several characteristics to get us started.

While not precluding all instrumentation, simple reverent worship should emphasize the importance of the voices of God’s people in worship. We need to hear one another. Paul said that we must sing to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs (Ephesians 5:19). We have to hear one another’s voices, we need to be focused on the profound messages of the songs we sing. This demands we avoid loud and/or electronically amplified instrumentation that drowns out the voices of God’s people. Oh, there should be volume, but it needs to be congregational voices.

Simple reverent worship avoids worship music that is man-centered and focused strictly on human experience rather than lifting up God Himself who is the focus of worship. I am not saying that the testimony song has no place in worship—it does, just look at the testimony Psalms—but that testimony should point directly to God’s glory.

Simple reverent worship focuses on deep theological truth rather than shallow emotional manipulation. It is truth that should move the soul of the worshiper. Simple worship that is not sincere cannot be reverent. After all, God sees the hearts.

Many smaller churches have for years held worship services with an “excuse us, we are not big enough to REALLY worship” attitude. The truth is that it is much easier to do simple reverent worship in smaller settings. It’s the bigger congregations where the difficulties and temptations are most pronounced. Some of the most reverent and moving worship services I have ever been a part of were in a living room or beside a campfire at a teen camp. Even today, in our own congregation, our most reverent, meaningful services are our Lord’s Table services. We focus on the truth of God’s word and the message of the death, burial and resurrection of Christ. We sing with no instruments at all—just our human voices–and worship God as unworthy recipients of God’s marvelous grace.

For us, simple reverence is how we best worship in sincerity and truth.