"It is in the process of being worshipped that God communicates His presence to men. It is not indeed the only way. But for many people at many times the "fair beauty of the Lord" is revealed chiefly or only while they worship Him together."
- C.S. Lewis, Reflections
"To worship the Lord is- in the world's eyes- a waste of time. It is indeed, a royal waste of time, but a waste nonetheless. By engaging in it, we don't accomplish anything useful in society's terms. Its purpose is not to gain numbers nor for our churches to be seen as successful. Rather, the entire reason for our worship is that God deserves it. Worship is a royal waste of time, but indeed it is royal, for it immerses us in the splendor of the King of the cosmos. The churches' worship provides opportunities for us to enjoy God's presence in corporate ways that take us out of time and into the eternal purposes of God's kingdom. As a result, we shall be changed- but not because of anything that we do. God, on whom we are centered and to whom we submit, will transform us by his Revelation of himself."
- Marva Dawn, "A Royal Waste of Time"
"We are merely, as Donne say, tuning our instruments. anticipate the symphony."
-John C. "Jack" Collins
- God-centered and God-directed
- Christ-centered (redemption focused)
- Spirt-led and Spirit-filled
- According to God's Word
- Involving the worshipper totally
- Embrace every aspect of our life
- Arise from the community of God's people
- Directed out to the world and up toward God
- Contemporary and culture specific
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