^b) Because He is good, , Psalm 106

 1 Praise the LORD. ^[a] Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; his love endures forever.

^c) and, because he has plans and a purpose for each one of us.

Jeremiah 29:11 For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.

Another reason to offer unceasing worship is that we were created in God???s image ???worshipping.???  Not to worship, but worshipping ??? isn???t it funny how we long to give our attention and worship to other objects and things when God is no longer the focus?  If you disagree with me, observe the amount of adoration fans give to the Baltimore Ravens or the Washington Red Skins?  It doesn???t stop there ??? how about ???American Idol.???   A little closer to home, huh?  Although it would have been awesome if our brother, Ray Kabia??? had gone on to garner the attention, trappings and fame that comes with the such an award, it would be hard to not fall into the state of, shall we say ???Idol worship???? 

What are the implications when we think about the gathering for corporate worship?

The Implications are awesome!  Hebrews 10:24 ??? 25  ??? ??? let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds. 25Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another???and all the more as you see the Day approaching...???

Dick Staub, writer and author, ???Coming Back to the Heart of Worship??? ??? says, ???corporate worship becomes all the more important because we are in a condition of not depending upon the corporate worship service to bring us into a condition of worship. We're not depending upon the music or the call to worship or anything like that.

We are going to church to be in company with our brothers and sisters, and we are already at worship. The purpose of going to church is to continue our worship in the company of the communion of the saints, and together to sing, together to pray, together to listen, together to be taught. But being taught, listening, praying, singing, contemplating, all of those things should be going on all week long.???

Some say, the church desperately needs an artistic reformation that accomplishes two things at once. First, it takes music out of the limelight, puts Christ and his word back into prominence. Second, it strives creatively for synthesis of new, old, and cross-cultural styles. Why do you believe that?

First of all, Christ and his word, and the vision the leaders (Evangelists, Elders, etc...) have for the church is the Magna Carta for any music ministry.  As Worship leaders, we must understand we are a part of the team; commissioned for the purpose of helping build on the vision, God has revealed and communicated to the leader. 

Unless we are willing to come to this post with the attitude that John the Baptist, had towards Jesus, ???He must become greater ??? I must become less,??? We should step down, and do some serious wood shedding, and not return until we are ready to surrender our talents, vision and abilities to our leadership for the greater good.  An article, written by Kris Grooms  on worship, suggests that most worship leaders are where they are because they're pastor is not musically inclined. ???Hence the reason why you are given the responsibility for music in your church.??? Kris says we should start with  ??? ??? the pastor's vision for worship and follow that. This is where the first problem may occur. What if your vision is different than his? Then unless you can willingly submit to the pastor's vision, don't take the position.???

Second, there are just about as many music styles are there are people ??? If we look at Christian music alone, we could spend a day exploring all of the different genres out there, to include:  country, contemporary gospel, black gospel, praise and worship, Hip-Hop, rap, traditional, classical, neo-soul and R&B: I mean I could go on for a while!  Hopefully I haven???t left out your favorite?  Nonetheless, as a congregation and a fellowship of believers in the International Churches of Christ (ICOC), we are a melting pot of people.  Are you familiar with the song, Jesus, loves the little children? The chorus concludes with  ??? red and yellow, black and white, we???re all precious in his sight ??? you get the point.  As Worship Leaders, we must strive to provide both a healthy and wide ranging balance of music across all spectrums of tastes and preferences, following the admonition of St. Paul, where he encourages Christians to Ephesians 5:19; (Speak)  to one another in ^(B)psalms and ^(C)hymns and spiritual ^(D)songs, ^(E)singing and making melody with your heart to the Lord; If we follow this recipe for worship, it will result in heartfelt worship that pleases the Father.

Ultimately, in preparation for Sunday worship, we should spend as much time as needed, to ensure we are striving for creativity, synthesis of new, old, and cross cultural styles.  Since we were created in God???s image, we should also strive for artistic reformation that puts Jesus Christ in the limelight, as we fade to the black, willing to take our place back stage, as stage hands, awaiting our Master???s command.   Do we take our charge seriously? Are we filled with conviction, humility and an understanding of who???s really important.  Jesus!

The lyrics to the song, ???Heart of Worship??? sums it all up as follows:

Matt Redman

When the music fades and all is stripped away And I simply come Longing just to bring something that's of worth That will bless Your heart I'll bring You more than a song For a song in itself Is not what You have required You search much deeper within Through the way things appear You're looking into my heart Chorus I'm coming back to the heart of worship And it's all about You All about You, Jesus I'm sorry, Lord, for the things I've made it When it's all about You All about You, Jesus

When the music fades and all is stripped away And I simply come Longing just to bring something that's of worth That will bless Your heart  King of endless worth, no one could express How much You deserve Though I'm weak and poor, all I have is Yours Every single breath Chorus I'm coming back to the heart of worship And it's all about You All about You, Jesus I'm sorry, Lord, for the things I've made it When it's all about You All about You, Jesus