Principle Six: Worship Is An Act Of The People

Worship is not a service or entertainment performed for the laity, but an act that requires the participation of all members in the body of Christ. For this reason there is a need to achieve a balance between order and freedom. An overemphasis on order can lead to ritualism; an overemphasis on freedom sometimes leads to chaos. Most churches suffer from an overemphasis on order. Congregational participation is worship that involves the action of everyone simultaneously. But congregational action cannot occur without two very basic ingredients: the congregation must understand what they are doing, and they must intend to make the responses that are part of worship. Worship is a verb. Worship is best understood when it carries the worshiper through a sequence of related events such as: (1) preparation for worship, (2) reading and preaching the Word, (3) Holy Communion, and (4) dismissal. In this sequence, the story of our coming to God-of hearing him speak, of entering into communion …