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April 4, 2017 PERSONAL GROWTH, WORSHIP 2 Comments

Worship – On God’s Terms, Not Ours

Worship on Gods Terms Not Ours - Header Image

The English language is fascinating to me. Especially how particular words change in their meaning and usage over time, like:

Spam used to be a cold, canned meat. The word dab originally meant to gently press one thing against another. Now it’s a dance move!

My earliest recollection of the word awesome being used to mean “I really like this” was from actor Keanu Reeves in the 1989 movie Bill and Ted’s Excellent Adventure. That may have started the dismantling of the word awesome until, today, anything even slightly appealing can be awesome. Or, to quote the theme song from The Lego Movie, “Everything is Awesome!”.

But awesome used to be a word reserved to describe something that overwhelmed me with awe and wonder, even fear. The deeper, richer, more powerful meaning has been lost.

Awesome used to be a word reserved to describe something that overwhelmed me with awe and wonder Click To Tweet

When Rich Mullins sang, “Our God is an awesome God!” I am sure he meant it with the original meaning of the word awesome in mind, and definitely not the current-day meaning.

As the meaning of once powerful and rich words diminish, I wonder what priorities are shifting and what truth is being lost to us.

“Changes in language often reflect the changing values of a culture.”
– Ravi Zacharias (Christian apologist)

“The flood of careless, unconsidered, cheap words is the greatest enemy of the profound word.”
– Stephen L. Talbott

But it’s not just experts that tell us word usage is important. The Bible does too!

In Matthew 12:36-37 , Jesus tells us that, at our final judgment, we’ll each have to, “give account … for every careless word,” we have spoken, and that it’s by our words that we will be judged. Just a few chapters later, Jesus is recorded in Matthew 15:11 telling His followers that it’s not what we eat, but what we say that defiles us.

And then there’s this lesser-known verse:

“If anyone considers himself religious and yet does not keep a tight rein on his tongue, he deceives himself, and his religion is worthless.”
– James 1:26

This is a lesser-known verse today, I believe, because of the problem we have with the words religious and religion. Over the passage of time, the word religion – like the word awesome – has dramatically changed in its meaning and usage.

Once it was a good thing to think of one’s self as being a religious person. But today the word religious is usually used as a negative or even derogatory term. It might describe someone who thinks of themselves as morally superior to others, or someone who methodically, repeatedly does certain things in an effort to earn acceptability to their god.

Christians today do not easily see themselves as being religious, and so we do not resonate with the verse as deeply as we could, or should. A great deal of the original meaning of James 1:26 has been lost.

So, in an effort to bring back some of the lost meaning, let’s look at the original Greek word that has been translated as religious and religion in the most common English translations of James 1:26:

θρησκεία:  thrēskia

In the original text, James uses the Greek word thrēskia that, at the time of writing, was understood to mean people’s organized, ritualistic activities to show homage to God. In other words, a person’s thrēskia is the way they chose to worship – or show the worth – of God.

So, here’s what I believe is a much better translation of James 1:26 for today:

“If anyone considers himself a worshiper and yet does not keep a tight rein on his tongue, he deceives himself, and his worship is worthless.”
– James 1:26

Did you feel the verse go deeper? Did you sense some of the lost meaning returning? That’s because, in today’s vernacular, we do see ourselves as worshipers.

It seems to me that James – inspired by God’s Holy Spirit – is urging The Church to take more care with word usage so we would not lose the deeper, richer meaning of what it means to worship God.  James is writing to help us recognize the difference between the “worship” that we might choose and the worship that God requires.

take more care of word usage so we do not lose the deeper, richer meaning of what it means to WORSHIP God. Click To Tweet

In the very next verse, James explains the way God most wants his people to worship Him. And God’s description of His most favored expression of thrēskia/worship – is very different from people’s chosen forms of thrēskia/worship.

“Pure and perfect worship, in the sight of God, is to care for orphans and widows in their trouble and to remain uncorrupted by the world.”
– James 1:27

Other Bible passages like Isaiah 58 and Amos 5:21-24 give a very similar message: God does not want His people to worship Him in the ways of our choosing, but in the ways of His choosing. And, above all else, He asks us to worship Him – show His worth to us – by being obedient to His call to care for those people who are in need.

This most pure and perfect definition of worship is almost completely hidden from us today. We may think we are “doing our best” to care for those in need, but it’s not given the value and importance that it should. Most of that importance, it seems, goes to our music, our buildings, sermons, our Sunday morning experience – the ways we have chosen – as the highest way to worship.

Is it possible that we, in the modern Christian Church, have allowed the word worship to be used out of context and to change in its meaning? What do the congregants think of when they hear us speak the word, sing the word or see it written in our bulletins, street signs and on our LED displays?

I would argue that Joe and Jill church-goer think that worship is our Church music and what happens between about 10 and 11:30, usually on a Sunday morning. The worship of Almighty God is restricted to a very specific, well defined set of activities of our choosing that happen inside a church building at only certain times of the week. To Joe and Jill, worship has little or nothing to do with the rest of their lives.

Is worship what happens between 10 and 11:30, usually on a Sunday morning? Click To Tweet

But worship is not, and should not be spoken of as only part of the believer’s week. Worship is not limited to our congregational singing and our liturgical gatherings. Worship is not just another Church program! Not just another spoke in the wheel alongside preaching, discipleship, missions, benevolence, evangelism, the children’s program or anything else!

Worship is the hub of the wheel. Everything we do in the Church ought to flow as a response to God – showing the worth of The Cross. The worship of God is the only eternal task of the Church. One day, all else will cease.

Worship is not just another spoke in the wheel. It's the hub of the wheel. Click To Tweet

Tellingly I have found only one passage in The Bible that links together music and worship in anything like the way Christians do today:

“As soon as you hear the sound of the horn, flute, zither, lyre, harp, pipe and all kinds of music, you must fall down and worship the image of gold that King Nebuchadnezzar has set up.” – Daniel 3:5

Yes, let’s gather, let’s sing and let’s make everything that happens in that sacred time and space important, creative, inspiring, worshipful – issuing an undeniable invitation for people to swim more deeply, and surrender more completely at the foot of The Cross of Jesus the Christ. But let’s lead people to the worship of God that must continue after the songs have faded and as we leave the auditorium – especially as we worship through costly, self-sacrificing acts that care for those in need.

This will only be possible as individuals – like you and me – make the choice to only use the word worship in ways that mean what it’s supposed to mean. Worship on God’s terms, not on ours.

awesomechurchmeaningmore than worshippersonal growthword usageworship
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Grant Norsworthy

Grant Norsworthy is the founder, content developer, and principal instructor of More Than Music Mentor (MoreThanMusicMentor.com), an organization that encourages, inspires, and equips Church singers, instrumentalists and technicians across the US and internationally. Grant is a Grammy® nominated & Dove Award winning musician (former member of Sonicflood & PC3/Paul Colman Trio). He is originally from Melbourne, Australia but now lives in Nashville, TN with his wife Brooke and his three sons Max, Marcus and Casper.

More posts by Grant Norsworthy

2 Comments

  • Ezekiel Zweck says:
    April 5, 2017 at 7:28 pm

    Ah Grant, I was just having a conversation about this very topic with a mate tonight – and well as plenty along the same lines with others recently.

    I couldn’t agree more with what you’ve written. It really bugs me the way the term worship is used regarding singing these days. “We’re going to do some praise, then we’ll worship” – yes, but what about what you do when you leave the building? Are you going to love and respect your spouse? Are you going to cheat on your tax return? How about the language you use to your children? Are you going to obey the law of the land ie, traffic rules?

    I’m really keen for our church to have a period of no singing at all, so we can take some time to assess whether our singing has just become a cultural requirement, or even, dare I say it, a talisman. I know it would really challenge a few people as I mentioned the idea recently and was almost shouted down.

    I’ve always been challenged by the end part of Matthew 25, where Jesus talks about the sheep and the goats. He never mentions church attendance, belief or faith, but instead talks about how we treat “the least of these, my brothers and sisters”. Surely, then, how we treat people is our act of worship – and much harder to fake than standing up and singing for 30 minutes once a week.

    • Grany Norsworthy says:
      April 5, 2017 at 8:50 pm

      Thanks for your comment Ezekiel.I’m with you brother.

      Yes, that Matthew 25:31-46, surely, is the most important passage for any believer – any worshiper – to know. Here is the exclamation point on Jesus’ earthly ministry! To me, He’s saying, “Those who worship me will do so – show my worth – by caring for me, because I AM the least of these.”

      Peace

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Elevation Worship

Elevation Worship began as the musical arm of the Elevation Church, a multi-site church based in Charlotte, North Carolina, that was founded in 2006 by pastor Steven Furtick. The group was originally formed around the musical core of Chris Brown, Mack Brock, and Wade Joye, all of whom sang and played guitar, while Furtick contributed to their songwriting. While a shifting cast of instrumentalists worked with Elevation Worship, singers, Brown and Brock would become two of their on-stage focal points and a number of other vocalists were featured, including Jenna Barrientes, Jonsal Barrientes, London Gatch, Anna Sailors, and Jane Williams.

We The Kingdom

The multi-generational family band—consisting of brothers Ed Cash and Scott Cash, Ed’s daughter Franni, his son Martin and dear friend Andrew Bergthold—grew roots when the Cash brothers were just kids. Their dad played guitar, and their mom played piano, resulting in a home filled with music. Despite there being an eleven year age gap between them, as both Ed and Scott entered their teens and early 20s, they embarked on similar individual journeys as touring artists and had the opportunity to be deeply involved in the ministry of Young Life. However, when they each became fathers, the dream of being an artist was relegated to put on the back burner. Instead, behind the scenes, Ed went on to become an award-winning songwriter and producer, steering records for artists like Chris Tomlin, Crowder and Bethel Music and co-writing timeless songs like “How Great Is Our God,”“Amen (Because He Lives)” and “All My Hope,” among other hits. After stepping off of the road to spend more time with his growing family, Scott began working with Ed writing and producing, and the brothers have written many songs together including “Whom Shall I Fear (God of Angel Armies)”. Though no longer pursuing careers as artists, both brothers continued to lead worship and remained involved in playing music at Young Life camps.

They never could have imagined how, years later, God would bring their artist dreams full circle in the form of a family band. “I think many producers are, in some way, closet artists,” Ed attests. Andrew, Franni and Martin were also aspiring musicians, passionate about sharing their gifts through songs and stories.

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Adam Hobson

Bio coming soon.

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Ezra Cohen is a filmmaker and creative director specializing in creating unique visual environments in films, commercials, and live concert environments. He has created unique visual textures and experiences for commercial brands like Musicbed, Express, Adidas and Sony as well as music artists including Hillsong Young & Free, Justin Bieber, Tha Chainsmokers, Kari Jobe, Cody Carnes, Hillsong United and more.  Recently, he’s been featured as a teacher and online course instructor by some of the most renown publications in the world, including Forbes and more. 

Joey Santos

Joey currently serves at Christ’s Church, Mason OH. He is the Online Pastor and also oversees Worship & Arts, Communications and Production teams. Growing up in Brazil as a preacher’s kid, he has a keen eye for multi-generational ministry, as well as the ability to see innovation and change as a society and culture shift. He’s an ordained minister and has been serving in various capacities in America since 2002. He regularly blogs and contributes to the conversation of online church at joeysantos.blog.

Alex Fuller

Alex Fuller is a seasoned lighting professional who is passionate about using the technical arts as an extension of worship. He started sweeping floors as a kid in a local production house, and completed his first coast to coast tour of the US by age 20. He has over 15 years experience as the lighting and scenic designer for several churches, touring events, and conferences including Bethel, Saddleback Church, Jesus Culture, Hillsong United and more. His experience in the Christian market affords him a unique understanding of the challenges that many production teams face. His goal is to partner with you as you define your vision, overcome obstacles, and create the environment that you desire.

Phil Bowdle

Phil Bowdle got his start in creative ministry back in 2004. Today, Bowdle is the author of “Rethink Communication: A Playbook to Clarify and Communicate Everything in Your Church” and works as the Creative Arts pastor at West Ridge Church in Northwest Atlanta. On a day-to-day basis, Bowdle leads teams who work in communication, media, worship, and production. He also speaks, blogs, and offers coaching about communication, leadership, and the creative church.

Will Doggett

Will Doggett is an Ableton Live Certified Trainer and the Founder of From Studio to Stage, an online resource dedicated to teaching people how to learn to perform with Ableton Live on stage. He’s passionate about making complex things simple and has been teaching others to use Ableton Live as a tool for Leading Worship since 2008. He has served the church in many roles as Worship Leader, Music Director, Creative Director, and Production Director.

Justin Firesheets

Justin Firesheets has been the Production Director at Church of the Highlands in Birmingham, Ala., since Feb. 2009 after having spent the previous six years working in the sports broadcasting industry. He is responsible for the management of the production systems, volunteer teams, and equipment at all 23 campuses of Highlands, which has grown to become one of the largest churches in the United States.

Stephen Brewster

Stephen Brewster has more than 15 years in professional creative environments including music marketing and management, artist development, creative team leading and art directing. Currently a leadership and creative coach in Nashville, Tennessee, Stephen previously led the creative team in dreaming, creating and executing experiences, communications, music and more for all areas of ministry at Freedom House Church in Charlotte,N.C.; Life Church in Orlando, Florida and Cross Point Church in Nashville. He loves to spend time with his wife, Jackie, and their four children.

Katie Allred

Katie Allred runs ChurchCommunications.com, where she has helped over 23,000 people who work in churches with their marketing and communication strategies. Katie is also an assistant professor of marketing and software development at the University of Mobile. Katie is also a Certified StoryBrand Guide and would love to help your church or business communicate more clearly

Kenny Jahng

Kenny Jahng is the founder and CEO of Big Click Syndicate, a strategic communications agency that works with nonprofit and Christian ministries. The Company’s clients includes American Bible Society, Princeton Theological Seminary, Redeemer Presbyterian Church, and The United Methodist Church. He also co-leads the Church Communications Facebook Group community with 22,000+ communicators. Kenny runs ChurchButler.com, a daily social media content service. He is also StoryBrand Certified. Connect with him at KennyJahng.com or follow his #DailyKJTV vlog on LinkedIn

Grant Norsworthy

Grant Norsworthy is not another singer who talks too much. He’s a speaker who sings songs.
An Aussie who was based in Nashville  from 2002 to 2018, Grant Norsworthy achieved considerable success as a professional musician including a Grammy® nomination, a Dove Award, extensive touring, recording and radio hits with bands like Paul Colman Trio and Sonicflood. Now conducting global ministry work from his Nelson, New Zealand home base, Grant uses his musicianship, freewheeling wit and uncommon candor to encourage audiences to deeper faith in Christ and good works. As the founder, content developer and principal instructor for More Than Music Mentor, he provides high quality online and onsite training for the heart and the art of worshiping musicians everywhere.

David Henry

At 13 years old, David began his journey in church production when he found out that he could skip the main church service to serve in the youth group AV booth. Fast forward a *few* years, and David has worked as a professional lighting designer and teacher in the church, corporate, and live music worlds. Today, David runs LearnStageLighting.com, teaching lighting to beginner and intermediate-level lighting enthusiasts, and is a volunteer tech director at a medium-sized church in Nashville, TN.

Shannon Scott

Shannon is a writer, speaker, and Associate Executive Pastor at Church of the City in Franklin, Tennessee. She has also been a pastor to women and children and sits on the Executive Leadership Team of the church. She’s been in ministry for over 25 years and has experience in many facets of church leadership, from leading high performing teams, to volunteer recruitment and engagement, service programming, communication, and production. A trusted voice on a wide range of topics, Shannon is grateful to spend time writing for ministry and leadership blogs, training leaders, and speaking at conferences and churches. Over her tenure of ministry, she’s had the honor to work with North Point Community Church, Passion Conferences, Rethink group and more. Shannon and her husband Jeffrey have been married since 1999 and have three teenage children, Maggie (18), Jack (15), and Ali (14) and two dogs, Nash and Loretta.

Nathan Lagrange

Nathan is a gifted speaker with 20 years experience in pastoral leadership including lead pastoring, urban church planting, international missions and worship/creative ministries. Demonstrating great aptitude in counseling, discipleship and spiritual formation with a concentration in the development of christian leaders. Prior to being a pastor, Nathan spent many years as a song-writer and signed artist to the Integrity Music label where he has credits for Don Moen, Glenn Packiam and more.  Most recently, Nathan and his wife Tricia have started fundraising for their newest call in ministry, Refreshing the Refreshers, a ministry seeking to serve those on the edge of burnout in ministry under as a partner of LifeImpact Ministries.

Gary Molander

Gary Molander is an Author, Pastor, Filmmaker and Artist who has served the church and the greater creative community for over a decade! Gary served as a pastor for seventeen years, and has a Masters Degree in Creative Arts. He is also the author of, Pursuing Christ. Creating Art., a powerful book on creativity and the church. He is also the co-owner of Floodgate Creative, and has worked with Pro Athletes Outreach, Credera Inc., and Chick Fil-A to help promote their stories and events, using video and film.

Gary has been a part of SALT Conferences since the first gathering in 2013, and regularly shepherds the creative leaders and technical teams that are a part of the SALT Community. He and his wife Angela live in Nashville, Tennessee.

Dr. Andrew Johnston

Known by most as “Dr J”, he holds degrees in Interpersonal Communication and Literature from Wheaton College; Counseling Psychology from Auburn University; Higher Education Leadership & Policy from the University of Tennessee; and has additional education in leadership & organizational change from Harvard University.

Most recently, Dr. J has been a consultant working with current and future leaders through his leadership coaching, being a faculty member of Vanderbilt University and as an author of his recent book, Fired Up: Kindling and Keeping The Spark in Creative Teams. 

Nikki Lerner

Nikki spent over 20 years leading and building a successful multicultural creative department of over 150 people in an organization of 4000+ through her ministry in Baltimore, MD. With a degree in Vocal Performance and Pedagogy, she is a brilliant vocalist and worship leader with over 20 years of songwriting, worship and music experience. Currently, she serves as a coach and consultant to churches across the world helping them go from mono-cultural to multi-cultural with their organizations.

Brady Shearer

Brady Shearer is the CEO and Founder of Pro Church Tools. Brady’s work centers upon helping churches seize the 167 hours beyond their Sunday services and navigating their ministries through the single biggest communication shift we’ve seen in the last 500 years. Through his leadership at Pro Church Tools, they’ve launched countless incredible resources for the local church including Nucelus, RebelGive, StoryTape and more.

He regularly posts on the Pro Church Tool’s with Brady Shearer YouTube channel which has over 83,000 subscribers and currently resides in Ontario, Canada.

Samer Massad

Samer Massad is one of the dynamic communicators at Woodstock City Church in Woodstock, GA. Woodstock City Church is one of the campuses of North Point Community Church under the leadership and direction of Andy Stanley. Samer received his Masters in Theology from Dallas Theological Seminary prior to moving to Georgia. He has had the opportunity to speak to leaders, students and audiences around the nation by being a top-hailed speaker at Orange Conference, Youth Specialties, North Point Church and more.

Luke McElroy

Luke McElroy is the founder and visionary of SALT Conferences. Author of four books including most recently released Creative Potential: Principles for Unleashing Your God-Given Calling, Luke was hailed as one of the “top innovators for worship” by Worship Leader Magazine. Luke’s leadership has helped create powerful live environments for thousands around the world.

He and his wife Tricia are proud to call Nashville, Tennessee home.

Joseph Sojourner

Joseph grew up in Akron, OH, and eventually made his way to Atlanta, GA as a hip-hop artist. There he connected with the team from North Point Community Church and Big Stuf Camps where he served as creative director, communicator and emcee of Catalyst Conference for many years. As the founder of Two Cents Creative, he and his team use art, media, film and interactive experiences to share story in a way that captivates audiences attention, while communicating in a compelling manner.

He has had the opportunity to shape moments and create content for Passion Conferences, Chick-Fil-A Leadership Seminars, NBC’s Your Move with Andy Stanley, Elevation Church, SALT Conferences, Big Stuf Camps and many more! Currently, Joseph is serving as a Shephard of creative filmmakers in Fayetteville, GA with Pinewood Studios.

Glenn Packiam

Glenn Packiam is the associate senior pastor at New Life Church in Colorado Springs, Colorado. He is also the author of 5 books including his most recent: Blessed Broken Given: How Your Story Becomes Sacred in the Hands of Jesus. Glenn earned a Doctorate in Theology and Ministry from Durham University in the UK and is an ordained priest with the Anglican Church of North America (ACNA).

Prior to becoming a pastor, Glenn was one of the founding leaders and songwriters of the Desperation Band. As a signed songwriter, he has had the honor of writing and co-writing over 65 worship songs, including several well-loved songs, like “Your Name” and “My Savior Lives.”  Glenn has been a SALT keynote speaker many times and currently lives with his wife, Holly, and their four children in the shadow of the mighty Rocky Mountains.

Andy Mineo

Andy Mineo is a New York City-based hip hop recording artist signed to Reach Records. His album, Uncomfortable, became the No. 1 independent record in the country and delivered a No. 3 and No.10 position on Billboard’s Hip Hop and Top 200 album charts, respectively. He has appeared on Sirius XM’s Sway In The Morning, MTV, and his colossal hit “You Can’t Stop Me” won an ESPN Whammy Award for MLB’s Top Walk Up Song.

Andy Mineo carries his music beyond through scripting, producing and directing many of his own music videos. He also is the founder of the podcast “work in progress” and most recently collaborated with rapper Wordsplayed for the release of their mixtape, Andy Mineo and Wordsplayed present Magic & Bird.