The Need For Redefining Worship In Charismatic Churches

The charismatic movement has brought about a change in the worship in many traditional churches. Charismatics, in turn, are being influenced by traditional liturgical forms. Together, Christians of charismatic and liturgical traditions are discovering that biblical worship provides an answer to the epidemic of emptiness that plagues our generation. Worship is being redefined in terms of its form and focus. It isn't that valid traditions must be scorned or discarded, but that newness must refill them with meaning. It isn't that the objective adoration of God is being traded off for a shallow subjectivism on the part of the worshiper. Rather, a simple, fulfilling intimacy is being discovered by more people as they praise the Lord. Worship is being unwrapped in the removal of sectarian prejudices which have preempted interdenominational participation in biblical practices of worship heretofore labeled and shelved by feuding parties in the body of Christ. Upraised hands are less and le…