“For indeed Jews ask for signs and Greeks search for wisdom; but we preach Christ crucified, to Jews a stumbling block, and to Gentiles foolishness, but to those who are the called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God.” (I Corinthians 1:22-23 NASB)
Since today’s meditation is the opinion of the author, you can call it an “op-ed “if you want to, but I hope what I have to say will ensure that when you attend worship service; in person, virtually, or you watch a regular television preacher’s broadcast; I hope you will keep your mind fixed on the central part of the worship service. The choir may sing like angels and sound like the original groups or gospel artists, but that is not the central part of the worship service. The time to react positively to the Lord’s words that say, “Consider your ways;” as members parade around the sanctuary, stopping to bring their tithes and offerings is a sign of stewardship and support of the ministries of the church is key in the order of service, but that is not the central part of the worship service. The masterful sounds produced by the pianist, the organist, and in some cases a full orchestra is uplifting and provides an upbeat environment during service, but that is not the central part of the worship service. The vibrant voices that vocalize their approval and agreement with what is taking place within the walls of the church is greatly desirable and adds to the dynamics of the service, but that is not the central part of the worship service. So you say, “What is it?” My response to your question is that it is the preaching of God’s word that is the central part of the worship service, and in the course of that preaching; incorporated in the preaching, whether it is from the Old Testament or the New Testament, the preaching must lead to the cross. You can call this an “op-ed” if you want to, but actually you may change your mind when you read the opening verse above one more time.
There were two churches I attended during my early years in ministry. They were located in separate states. The church that I refer to as my home church, where before the sanctuary was expanded as part of a building process to maximize the available space for worshippers and create more room at the front of the church, the pulpit was located on the right side (as it appears if you were on the platform) to accommodate room for the choir stand. The other church, which I joined under Watch care, primarily because I hoped to return to my home town and home church one day, purchased a building that previously housed another congregation that believed the Lord’s Supper needed to be located in the center of the platform. This would still be a pictorial or object lesson about Christ’s crucifixion. Yet again, the pulpit was located on the right side of the elevated platform. Both pastors of these churches were on the right side from a worship perspective because they preached Christ crucified. Both of them taught me that all good preaching must lead to the cross. From both of their perspectives, preaching was the central part of the worship service. Now you can still call this an “op-ed” if you want to, but I concur with their perspective. In the case of my home church, when the expansion took place, the pulpit was located at the center of the platform. Notice I’m using the word “platform” and not the word “stage.” That’s because it is not a place for entertaining, theatrical church playing, or modeling the contemporary styles of dress. Everything that takes place on that platform is to help prepare worshippers for the central part of the worship service; the preaching of God’s word. The second church I mentioned did not have a physical expansion, but the generous giving made remodeling possible and one of the first things to be done was to move the pulpit to the center of the platform.
I have shared some of my history with you as well as my opinion. If there was enough time, I would write about Jesus, the Word that became flesh, being at the center of things in His earthly ministry. I could also elaborate on the early church experience as described in the closing verse. However, in view of my lack of time, let me just say to you, “Don’t miss out on the central part of the worship service.” The person that has ears – let that person hear. Be blessed!
“They were continually devoting themselves to the apostles’ teaching…” (Acts 2:42 NASB)
Still committed to the climb,
Mark L. King