You tell me you are not putting on a show or a performance. Okay, I accept that - to a degree. But then, I find myself wondering about your "countdown to worship" clock? What exactly is the reason for the use of the countdown?
The entire premise of a countdown is to alert those in the room that something is about to happen, right? Like at the launch of a rocket, we watch the countdown and get excited for the "10... 9... 8..." to begin. Same thing with New Year's Eve... we watch that ball drop and count down with the excited crowd for that moment we step into the new year. I get those types of events. They are pretty exciting and bring with them a sense of anticipation.
But - for a church worship gathering?
What are we counting down TO? "Hey, God, get ready, man, because we are ABOUT to start worshiping You and it's gonna be BIG!"
The countdown is just another way we make worship about us, and not God.
The truth is, there IS no "countdown" to worship. Unless you are counting down to another SHOW of well-perfected songs you will perform for the congregation complete with lights and smoke machines. We are always worshiping God - it is our response to Him for all He is. We worship Him during the day - at our jobs - in the car - at the store - in conversations with others - through our monetary gifts and expressions of love for others. Worship is WHO we are... Worship is not "an event" we conjure up and then count down to.
Can we stop with the "worship countdown clock" and simply come into His presence with our fellow Christ followers and worship Him with all of our heart, soul, mind and strength?
