I often incorrectly measure the quality of worship using those elements. I processed this with some of our worship team members and wanted to share some of the misconceptions we uncovered in our understanding of worship.

Worship is music.

Worship is the the willful and humble submission, or obeisance, to the Father. As Romans 21:1 says, we are “to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God- this is your spiritual act of worship.” It is a lifestyle.

In our church services or worship gatherings, “worship” usually refers to the music set. Our purpose in life becomes compartmentalized into the 20 minutes before the message and the closing song. What about prayer, the message, and application? Those don’t count?

Music is of course an incredible venue for worship. Throughout scripture, God meets his people and is glorified through our praises. We draw close through music…it touches our hearts and brings understanding that other mediums can’t. While music is a part of how we express worship and experience God, it by no means defines it.

Worship is for our enjoyment.

I so often center worship around myself: how I felt during the set. If I enjoyed it and “got” something from it, then it was an awesome worship session. By definition, worship is willful submission to God. The priority is glorification and obedience, not enjoyment. Enjoyment is a byproduct, and should be put in its rightful place. Instead of coming to gain from a worship gathering, we should be coming to give.

Worship is a feeling.

We often reduce worship to the feelings we experience. Watch TV or movies, and you’ll see love treated the same way. When “we’ve lost that lovin’ feelin” we assume it just wasn’t meant to be. Worship isn’t a feeling, its a state of being…sometimes its emotional but sometimes its not. Often deep, intimate times of worship bring about intense feelings, but deep emotions in themselves don’t equal worship. Feelings come and go, but the call to worship is constant. Authentic worship doesn’t stop with our senses.

Worship is easy.

No, its not. We have to work at it. We are to worship in feast and famine. Job worshipped through his trials. shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego worshipped in the furnace, and Stephen worshipped while he was being stoned. It takes sweat, endurance, and faith. We must persist out of obedience, even when it hurts.

Conditions have to be perfect.

I am so guilty of this…The conditions have to be perfect for me to engage. The music set better be diverse and awesome, the guitarist better nail the Brewster solo, and there better be a short line at the church cafe so I an get my caffeine fix. I better be in a good mood  and have had good week at work if I’m going to engage with God.

If there is a slightest deviation from my list of conditions, my ability to worship goes out the window. I can be so fickle! ITS NOT ABOUT ME. When our faithfulness is contingent upon on environment, feelings, enjoyment, and ease of participation, we will never experience the depth and intimacy Christ calls us to. Who then are we to set the terms? We must abandon ourselves in pursuit of God.

So what do we do with this? How do we move forward? We must follow in the steps of Christ. We need to remove these preconceived assumptions from our understanding of worship. We need to open ourselves up to God’s truth and allow it to change the way we live. We must seek and worship God in and through all things. We must come to  glorify God, not seek personal gain from our worship gatherings. Our understanding grows deeper as we press into God’s character and Word. As Matthew 6:33 says,  seek His kingdom and His righteousness. It is through this pursuit that our worship will blossom from a service to a lifestyle.

So these are my observations. What are some of yours? Thoughts?

Here is Our King- Ryan Axtell from Ryan Axtell on Vimeo.

The most powerful moment I remember was when I was leading at a winter camp in Mammoth Lakes, Ca. It was the last night and I glance out on the group of high school students during a song and see my brother on his knees. In the next moment, my mom, who was volunteering on the trip, with tears in her eyes, kneeled down with him. In that instant I shared a connection with my mom and brother that I can’t explain but is still with me till this day. It taught me a great deal about family, humility, and legacy. Sometimes when I am having a rough rehearsal, or am fighting off technical difficulties, I remember these people and these moments and remind myself what I am really working towards.

Pay attention to those around you…God may have a lot to say.