Reality or Just a Worship Style?

Several years ago I wrote a spiritual memoir I call Loving God Without a Label. It’s the story of how I found God and worshipped Him in many different settings across the United States and even into Europe. It’s not published (yet!), but it’s been instructive in my Christian walk–enabling me to recognize that how a person worships God is not as important as the fact a person worships God.

I base the idea on the concept of learning styles. Just as some people learn better by seeing things written down, some people worship God better by, say, dancing or singing contemporary music.

It’s not a rule, it’s a preference. And the way you prefer to worship mostly likely isn’t the same as my preference. Especially since mine has changed a lot over the years.

This means that while one friend insists the only songs that can “correctly” be sung in a “true” worshp service are organ-based hymns, another friend may feel just as adamant about contemporary Christian music with a guitar.

It amuses me to hear those arguments, particularly when thinking about my own Christian walk. In one short period of time we shifted from a charismatic Episcopal Church in New England to a laid-back Calvary Chapel in California.

Yes, the music and services were very different (how I longed for The Book of Common Prayer), but the important thing was the sermon, and that’s where we found unity.Both pastors used the Bible as their text and taught sound doctrine (or at least, Calvary Chapel-sanctioned teaching on the west coast). Both pastors loved Jesus and wanted us to know, love and understand him, too.

One wore colorful vestments; the other a Hawaiian shirt.

The style of worship was different, not the heart and soul.

I’m glad I learned that lesson long ago, because it served me in good stead last weekend when I attended church with my college-student daughter. We were on her stomping grounds, Santa Barbara, California, and she gave me a choice of which church to visit: a family-friend community church or the more youth-intensive Reality.

Since I’d heard about Reality and a truly hip couple I know attend the Hollywood branch, I opted for the “different,” service. I get family-friendly every week (along with contemporary music, an organ and hymns) at my own Missouri Synod Lutheran Church.

What a massive undertaking the congregation must go through each week! Held in Santa Barbara Community College’s gym, whomever is in charge has to cover the wooden gym floor with a thick vinyl floor mat. Simple black and silver plastic chairs are set out and then the stage has to be organized.

A drum set behind plexiglass, a keyboard replete with three laptop computers, a violinist on a mike and three guitarists filled the black-curtained stage. Lights were attached around the sides and top and the speakers–which I did not spy–must have been large. When they turned off the lights for worship, I wondered if all the sound equipment in America is sold to musicians and/or large churches. It sure felt like a rock concert to me.

That’s all I’m going to say about the music–why start an argument?–because the heart of a worship service needs to be the preaching.

They’ve got it at Reality.

Interim pastor Chris Lazo did an excellent job with Ephesians 4:20-24. I broke out my I-touch and took notes as he walked us through an interesting passage of Scripture.

I particularly enjoyed the fact he discussed Martin Luther’s concept of a garland prayer to use while examining a Bible passage by praying and asking:

1. What does this verse teach me?

2. How can this verse teach me to praise God?

3. What do I need to confess after reading this passage?

4. What can I aspire to from this verse?

Lazo told us to mull over verses until they “begin to preach to your soul.” This is how the Holy Spirit speaks to you, by acting as a mirror. He reminded us “to renew your mind is to rehearse and replay who Jesus is continually.”

How fun to find Martin Luther in such an up-to-date setting and learn something new!

Lazo also spoke to those feeling defeated and reminded them about God’s power to renew your mind and thus your soul. “Your circumstances may explain you,” he said, “But they don’t have to define you.”

I appreciated that.

So, while the music, for me, did not edify my soul–which is fine because I’m not an auditory learner–the words preached true did a fine job.

The reality, for me, is I’ll be happy to worship at home next Sunday. 🙂

Oh, and learning styles? Here’s a list. Can you see how they can be adapted into church worship styles? Which suits you the best?

Visual (spatial):You prefer using pictures, images, and spatial understanding.
Aural (auditory-musical): You prefer using sound and music.
Verbal (linguistic): You prefer using words, both in speech and writing.
Physical (kinesthetic): You prefer using your body, hands and sense of touch.
Logical (mathematical): You prefer using logic, reasoning and systems.
Social (interpersonal): You prefer to learn in groups or with other people.
Solitary (intrapersonal): You prefer to work alone and use self-study.