"The people all come together in rows in the church, and they face forward. So what? Well, it's the same physical setup as a stage play, and everybody knows about those. You plunk down in a seat. At H-hour the lights go up, the actors start performing, a prompter offstage whispers cues -- and the spectators lean back and evaluate how they do.
But church? NO, NO, NO, NO, NO, NO, NO!
Church is unique. Whether the people in the congregation ever discover it or not, they are the actors. The up-front people are the prompters, whispering cues as needed -- and God is the audience, looking to see how they do.
Many poor churches don't even know who's supposed to be doing it! What lousy, lousy plays they put on! The actors sit around lethargically while the prompters practically exhaust themselves trying to do all their lines for them so the play will still give a lively appearance.
It doesn't. Nobody is fooled. Pastor, minister of music, worship leader, what are you so self-conscious for? Do you think you are in the spotlight? You're not! Quit posturing! Pew sitter? Are you sitting there expecting to get rather than give?Just get down on your knees and ask God to stimulate you and start performing."
from UP WITH WORSHIP by
Anne Ortlund Broadman & Holman
Good words to ponder as you prepare for the Lord's Day.
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