We live in a day where the church sometimes seems to think it is in the entertainment business. In the 1950s and 60s, A. W. Tozer believed this to be true in the church back then. In his book, Worship and Entertainment, he stated, "Church members want to be entertained while they are edified."
David Platt, who wrote Radical and is now the President of our International Mission Board more recently asked, "What if we take away the cool music and the cushioned chairs? What if the screens are gone and the stage is no longer decorated? What if the air conditioners are off and the comforts are removed. Would His Word still be enough for His people to come together?"
Just like Tozer we should grieve that so many people in our churches want to be entertained while they worship. It is very disconcerting that we no longer recognize the difference between entertainment and worship. The very concern with "my style" of music being a part of worship is really saying, "entertain me." Is our worship characterized more by props and performances in a pep rally atmosphere than by a sense of the glory of God in holiness and hallowedness -- giving way to shallowness?
The real questions of our worship should be: 1). Who or what is the spotlight on? 2). What is the message we are communicating? 3). Are lives being changed and God glorified? And, of course there are those today who say, "But our methods are bringing, attracting and winning people."
Tozer addressed that some 50 years ago: "Winning them to what? To true discipleship? To cross-carrying? To self-denial? To separation from the world? To crucifixion of the flesh? To holy living? To nobility of character? To a despising of the world's treasures? To hard discipline? To love for God? To total commitment to Christ?" Those words from Tozer sound . . . radical.
People are not interested in our "religious toys and trifles" as Tozer refers to them. People are starving for a diet of substance, not candy. They are wanting someone to be more concerned with the glory of God by going deeper into His Word and in intimate relationship with Him. Both Tozer and Platt, old and new theologians, are reminding us that entertainment has no place in worship. We don't need bells and whistles, special lighting or smoke machines. We need to know that God is in the house...and then to seek Him with all that we are so that we might experience Him in all His glory! mjm
