"Man, I can't wait to go to church tomorrow because that one guy's leading!"

**DaGeek** · 11-04-2009, 08:15 PM

"Man, I can't wait to go to church tomorrow because that one guy's leading!"

(To re-emphasize)

That's a line I've heard many times and have even said sometimes. Obviously the focus of worship should be on God; however, many people will be more excited to go on some certain Sundays because so-and-so is speaking/leading worship. Is this wrong?

My opinion is that, no, it's not wrong, per se, unless it's focused on the man himself and not on God. If I'm excited about so-and-so because, when they worship, their anointing and the way they lead just somehow helps me get closer to God that Sunday, then what's the harm? All for the glory of God. Some are more affected by some gifts than others, and, if someone has that gift that blesses them, I see no harm.

Just my two cents. What are yours?

relient nelson · 11-05-2009, 12:46 AM

A possible analogy is some people listening to Tomlin to worship, with others preferring Hillsong... can anyone find a flaw in that analogy? I'm not sure about it, just what popped into my head.

Skifree0813 · 11-05-2009, 05:40 AM

We have a fair bit of trouble with this at my home church, particularly people wanting to hear one pastor speak to the point of them abandoning their regular service to attend the one he'll be at. I used to have a big problem with this, but I'm glad Geek shared those thoughts. I certainly have heard pastors who nearly always give sermons that don't push me to grow in my faith, yet others consistently do so.

Although it also makes sense to me the trouble that could arise from having one service nearly abandoned on any given week.

gtrdave · 11-05-2009, 07:33 AM

I don't see any harm in having a preference IF the one choosing is not pursuing the person leading/speaking.

Here's the thing to realize: today's church market is competitive and people are shopping for a church that fits their idea of what it is that they're looking for in a church. The pastor, the music, the decor, the congregation, etc...all play a part in how people will respond to the church. However sad or shallow this may seem, this is (at least) the American consumer culture of the 21st century.
It's culturally natural to prefer x over y, for what it's worth.
God can easily work with those preferences if we let Him. Maybe after some maturity time, those preferences will diminish and people won't care if it's pastor x or leader y. As long as the God of truth is in it, they'll want it.

Adam+ · 11-05-2009, 11:44 AM

This kind of stuff has gone on forever, though. I remember a story about Henry Ward Beecher (he lived in the 1800's): His brother was preaching in his place one Sunday, and people when they found out it wasn't going to be the famous dude, started leaving. The preacher's brother yelled out "All here who are here to worship Henry Ward Beecher, go ahead and leave. Those who are here to worship Jesus Christ, please stay."

**thesteve** · 11-05-2009, 12:15 PM

I always feel torn on this issue. As Adam pointed out, it's not new, but I know I've seen in at a church I used to go to locally. The house band there was Something Like Silas (now Future of Forestry) and when they were out on tour attendance would go down by a couple hundred. On their first week back from tour and hiatus, the room the service was held in had people sitting on the floor in the back because there weren't enough seats to go around. I've heard the same thing said about Phil Wickham playing at his home church (also local) vs. weeks when he isn't there.

Now, it's not possible for me to judge the hearts of the people attending, but I think it says something about Christian society in general when we're more able (and even go out of our way) to "worship" when a particular musician/band is leading the music than we would for anyone else. I think it's a dangerous thing when people are coming back from Christian concerts and events (or even vaguely-spiritual concerts, as I've heard this said about U2 as well) and claiming that it was the "most spiritual experience of their lives"...perhaps it's hyperbole, but I can't help but think that one's own wedding day, childbirth, day of salvation, day of baptism, etc. would be more spiritual than going to a U2/Sigur Ros/Chris Tomlin/Switchfoot concert.

Almost Enough · 11-05-2009, 12:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gtrdave

I don't see any harm in having a preference IF the one choosing is not pursuing the person leading/speaking.

Here's the thing to realize: today's church market is competitive and people are shopping for a church that fits their idea of what it is that they're looking for in a church. The pastor, the music, the decor, the congregation, etc...all play a part in how people will respond to the church. However sad or shallow this may seem, this is (at least) the American consumer culture of the 21st century.
It's culturally natural to prefer x over y, for what it's worth.
God can easily work with those preferences if we let Him. Maybe after some maturity time, those preferences will diminish and people won't care if it's pastor x or leader y. As long as the God of truth is in it, they'll want it.

I think you hit the nail on the head.

The mature Christian realizes that Truth is Truth is Truth.