I exercise several days a week in a downtown park with a group of men. One day‚ I complained to my workout partner that I didn’t get much out of it. He responded‚ “Well‚ it’s possible you didn’t get much out of it because you didn’t put much into it.” Ouch. But he was right. The way we experience corporate church worship can follow the same pattern. We can get so little out of it because‚ frankly‚ we put so little in. We’re physically present but spiritually disengaged. Disengagement in worship has been a great sin among God’s people from the beginning. God said through the prophet Isaiah‚ “This people draw near with their mouth and honor me with their lips‚ while their hearts are far from me‚ and their fear of me is a commandment taught by men” (Isa. 29:13). And 700 years later‚ Christ reiterated Isaiah’s words: “In vain do they worship me” (Matt. 15:9). What more awful assessment could a person hear from the One he presumes to worship than that it was all in vain? Yet each of us is probably more guilty of this vanity than we’d like to admit. It’s easy to go through the motions of worship without engaging our hearts. Here are five rules of engagement that can help us put more into corporate worship. 1. Prepare in advance. Sundays may be a day of rest for believers‚ but I’m convinced it’s the day Satan works hardest. If he can’t stir up discord in the home‚ he’ll at least help you forget where you left your keys before you leave for church. He may not be able to keep your body out of church‚ but he’ll do his best to keep your heart anywhere else. We can’t prevent every problem‚ but a little preparation goes a long way. Logistically‚ do what you can to minimize issues: lay out your clothes and your offering check in advance‚ and eat breakfast so your belly doesn’t speak louder than the preacher. Satan may not be able to keep your body out of church‚ but he’ll do his best to keep your heart anywhere else. For spiritual preparation‚ the more you seek the Lord through the week‚ the more you’ll understand and profit on Sundays. This is why our church makes Scripture passages and songs for Sunday available in advance. Review those so you’re familiar with them and ready to meet with God before you arrive at church. Our hearts are more easily set aflame in worship when the coals are already hot. 2. Remember that God is the object of our worship. We say the reason we gather in worship is for God‚ but how often do our post-worship reflections betray our true mindset? Did I enjoy the sermon? Was it my style of music? Was there anyone I was glad to see? Such questions‚ common to most of us‚ reflect Martin Luther’s observation that man is “curved in on himself.” When we’re so curved in that what matters most is our own experience‚ we miss the blessing of being caught up in the wonder of One infinitely greater than ourselves. When we make worship about our experience rather than God’s glory‚ we insert ourselves into the place of God—as if his only role is to entertain us. We must remember the object of our worship is God. He looks beyond the outward appearance to the heart (1 Sam. 16:7). 3. Be a participant‚ not a spectator. What happens every fall Saturday in college football stadiums around the country? As someone quipped‚ 80‚000 people desperately in need of exercise stand around watching 22 people desperately in need of rest. Churches tend to model this same approach. Prior to the Reformation‚ worship was vicarious: a congregation gathered to watch the clergy do the spiritual work. But even today‚ many churches are vicarious: we simply show up to watch a praise team or listen to a preacher. We aren’t called to be spectators; we’re called to be participants. As we gather in worship‚ we’re showing up for work‚ and we ought to be fully engaged—heart‚ soul‚ mind‚ and strength—in praising the living God. So what does a participant in worship do? Fight distraction: Whether the potential distraction is your rumbling belly‚ the totally out-of-style dress the woman in front of you is wearing‚ or the man singing off-key behind you‚ worship God as you offer him your attention span. Sing heartily: God created your voice and he’s pleased when your heart overflows through it—even if it doesn’t sound great. One day‚ we’ll all be able to hear one another with the same sanctified ears God receives our praises with today. In the meantime‚ remember the only thing that can make our voices acceptable to God is what Jesus did for us. Engage with the sermon: Don’t be passive as the Word is preached. I pay attention most when I’ve read the passage in advance‚ have my Bible open the whole time‚ and take notes. You may have different practices‚ but the result must be the same: as the seed of the Word is sown‚ it finds soft ground in a ready and receptive heart. Take the sermon with you: Your work isn’t done when you exit the church doors. Matthew Henry speaks with great wisdom: “Do we think when the sermon is done‚ the care is over? No‚ then the greatest of the care begins.” Just as my workout partner challenged me to invest more so I’d get more out of the exercise‚ we should honestly ask ourselves‚ Do I come to participate in worship‚ or do I see myself as a spectator‚ standing by as others do the work? 4. Be a relentless encourager. Hebrews 10:25 is frequently used as a reminder of the necessity of corporate worship‚ and that’s right‚ but we often neglect verse 24: “Let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works.” One of the chief reasons we gather is to encourage. What does it mean to encourage one another? It means being intentional to care for one another’s souls and point one another to Jesus. A ministry of encouragement is an unsung ministry‚ but as a pastor‚ I can’t think of a greater gift I’d urge my people to cultivate and deploy in the church. 5. Actively seek out visitors. Most of us know how intimidating it can be to visit a new church‚ and the warmth of the people can make or break the visit. We’ve had many guests over the years‚ and the most common remark they make is how warmly they were welcomed. Unless you’re one of those few who thrive on meeting new people‚ seeking out visitors can be difficult. Uncertainty and insecurity abound: Have I met him before? Will she think I’m weird if I just go strike up a conversation? Don’t let insecurities prevent you from doing what God intends and visitors need. Go‚ introduce yourself (even if you’ve met before and forgotten his name). Ask someone who’s alone to sit with you. Introduce a visitor to someone else. A ministry of encouragement is an unsung ministry‚ but as a pastor‚ I can’t think of a greater gift I’d urge my people to cultivate and deploy in the church. You may also want to set an extra place or two at the lunch table so you can invite guests. No matter your church’s shortcomings‚ if you feed people‚ they’ll keep coming back. Good food covers a multitude of weaknesses. I realize all this can be overwhelming‚ especially if your pattern has been to disengage in worship. Old habits die hard. But remember‚ this is why Jesus came. As he told the Samaritan woman in John 4:23‚ the Father is seeking worshipers. Jesus didn’t come only to give us eternal life; he came to give us his Spirit to stir us from within so we could present worship that pleases his Father. What the Father seeks‚ the Spirit will enable to the glory of the Son. So let’s worship God this Sunday.

A few hours after he laid his dad to rest in 2019‚ Tim Alberta recounts‚ a family friend and elder at his father’s church wrote him a handwritten letter accusing him of treason. He was allegedly part of an evil plot to undermine God’s ordained leader. The explicit suggestion of the letter was that he could restore himself by using his journalistic talents to expose “the deep state.” It wasn’t just the timing of the letter that felt inappropriate but the certainty and strength of the position. The Kingdom‚ the Power‚ and the Glory: American Evangelicals in an Age of Extremism is a New York Times bestseller‚ national conversation starter‚ and journalistic exposé. But it’s more. Alberta is a Christian and a pastor’s son‚ so his personal connection injects intimacy into his exploration of faith—a faith that’s often at odds with the teachings of Christ. Through vivid portraits of believers‚ Alberta paints a picture of a faith tarnished by fear‚ a promise distorted by partisan subterfuge‚ and a reputation marred by scandal. Part memoir and part cautionary tale‚ Alberta’s book brims with righteous anger and dissatisfaction. He depicts an American church seeking to embrace right-leaning politics and Jesus in equal measure. It’s meant to be a warning against political idolatry at a time when the political temperature only seems to be getting hotter. However‚ the book is imprecisely argued and fails to offer a positive solution beyond Christians retreating from cultural engagement. Problematic Definition Alberta‚ a staff writer for The Atlantic and author of the bestseller American Carnage‚ hinges his book on one question: Who are evangelicals? He defines them as essentially synonymous with politically conservative Christians‚ a group he critiques yet with whom he shares some theological views. According to Alberta‚ “‘Evangelical’ became shorthand for ‘conservative Christian’ during the Moral Majority era.” Eventually‚ it became synonymous with “white conservative Republican” (11). While this politicized meaning prevails culturally‚ it seems reductive and doesn’t reflect the doctrinal distinctiveness of evangelicals. Alberta states‚ “I’m no theologian” (3). His lack of theological awareness shows up as he engages in a debate that requires some understanding of his own presuppositions and those of whom he’s examining. He’s clear throughout the book about his favored group‚ which he generally paints positively‚ but it doesn’t seem like he’s done the work to fully understand those he critiques. For example‚ Alberta makes broad statements like this: “From a purely organizational standpoint‚ Christianity is in disarray” (439). Such sweeping claims would be difficult to defend and they tend to undermine his substantive critiques. Evaluating evangelicalism requires grappling with its diversity of views. Alberta is rightly disturbed by the syncretism of a politician telling his followers to “put on the full armor of God and take a stand against the left’s schemes” (257) or a pastor praying for his “state be turned red with the blood of Jesus‚ and politically” (252)‚ but many churchgoing evangelicals don’t fit neatly into his right-leaning‚ obsessively political box. Evaluating evangelicalism requires grappling with its diversity of views. While Alberta spotlights vocal conservatives‚ studies suggest the overall level of political engagement may be just as high‚ if not higher‚ among left-leaning evangelicals. Alberta’s focus on politically engaged subgroups risks committing the fallacy of composition‚ attributing the actions and beliefs of a few to the entire evangelical population. Additionally‚ he fails to distinguish the way nonchurchgoing people who claim to be evangelical distort the discussion. Alberta isn’t alone in his generalizations‚ but it’s discouraging when that error comes from a self-identified insider who claims to want to make things better. Unfriendly Fire At times‚ Alberta is unmerciful with his subjects. This isn’t surprising given his raw experience with his father’s right-leaning church. However‚ this leads him to create caricatures and impugn motives. People who lean in Alberta’s direction are “learned and well-read‚” while those who disagree offer “adolescent commentaries” (321). The pastor whose preaching he likes is presented with sage-like veneration. The casual repetition of pejorative descriptions undermines Alberta’s points‚ even when his criticisms are valid. Alberta doesn’t fairly evaluate doctrines with which he disagrees. For example‚ he asserts that the biblical case for restricting women from the pastorate is “thin and unconvincing” (386). He fails to genuinely engage with Scripture or historical theology. Somehow‚ for thousands of years‚ the majority of Christians have been convinced and found biblical support for this position‚ but many readers wouldn’t know based on this telling. In the end‚ Alberta’s book doesn’t stand or fall solely on the issues he’s raised or the arguments he makes. The Kingdom‚ the Power‚ and the Glory will also be judged by the way it makes its arguments. Though Alberta doesn’t make this point‚ he illustrates the fact that what we say and how we say it are both vitally important. Spiritualized Politics In multiple cases‚ Alberta sets up false dichotomies that highlight his preferred positions. He writes‚ “The crisis of American evangelicalism comes down to an obsession with [a] worldly identity. . . . Instead of fleeing the temptation to rule all the world‚ like Jesus did‚ we have made deals with the devil” (13). Undoubtedly‚ political engagement can become a form of idolatry. Yet Alberta seems to assume a particular political theology—one with an anabaptistic flavor—and conclude the only real alternative is idolatry. Ultimately‚ the only remedy for idolatry of any sort is the gospel of Jesus Christ. Only grace can melt hardened hearts and establish Christ-centered priorities in lives and communities. Political views are complex‚ and solutions imperfect‚ but the kingdom of God stands eternal (Eph. 3:21). Our fractured nation needs the hope only the Prince of Peace can provide. Only grace can melt hardened hearts and establish Christ-centered priorities in lives and communities. By assuming the “faithful presence” model as the primary alternative to extremism (443)‚ Alberta glosses over other legitimate forms of Christian cultural engagement. The book concludes by quoting 2 Corinthians 4:18‚ where Paul states‚ “The things that are seen are transient‚ but the things that are unseen are eternal.” The message seems to be that Christians should abandon the politics of this world for spiritual concerns. This‚ however‚ ignores the ways believers have historically worked to end slavery‚ care for orphans‚ and abolish foot binding. Many of the social goods normalized in the West are the result of Christians being politically active‚ often in ways that seemed uncouth and inconvenient to the surrounding culture. Alberta’s focused criticism of the political right isn’t surprising given the vocal extremism from some within evangelical churches. Those who already have a negative view of evangelicals will find more support for their dislike. Readers unaware of the most egregious issues will benefit from reading this book to understand the concerns some evangelicals (many of them politically conservative) have about the current climate of the political right. But this book will join a host of others criticizing evangelical Christians with little advice to offer beyond being quiet or leaning politically left.

Beanie Babies are iconic. Even after the mid-1990s craze‚ these tiny stuffed animals are still considered rare and perfect children’s toys. But how much do you know about the company that makes them? What about the man who invented them? Turns out he’s a pretty eccentric dude. So here are the top 10 crazy facts […] The post Top 10 Insane Facts about the Creator of Beanie Babies appeared first on Listverse.

Writing fan fiction is not a modern phenomenon. Ancient authors created works that can be considered fan fiction. The Heroides of Ovid‚ Virgil’s Aeneid‚ and much of Greek tragedy were creative elaborations of an original source. The Bible’s rich cast of characters and stories is an inviting gold mine for later Jewish and Christian writers […] The post 10 Ancient Fan Fiction That Fills Gaps in the Bible appeared first on Listverse.

A school superintendent was reportedly caught on video ripping down campaign signs for a law related to school governance‚ and she was placed on paid leave pending an investigation. Superintendent Laurynn…

Fri Feb 9‚ 2024 - 9:28 pm EST BAYONNE‚ France (LifeSiteNews) – A French bishop known for his orthodoxy praised bishops in America as examples of outspokenness in the face of a deep crisis of faith within…

A small plane crashed on a highway Friday afternoon near Naples‚ Florida‚ leaving two dead‚ Friday afternoon‚ according to multiple reports.A Bombardier Challenger 600 aircraft crashed on I-75‚ known…

Fri Feb 9‚ 2024 - 9:49 pm EST (LifeSiteNews) — In Tucker Carlson’s viral interview of Vladimir Putin‚ which was released Thursday evening‚ the Russian president confirmed the host’s proposition…

Texas police say that children reported horrible torture by their mother after she engaged in an hours-long standoff with a SWAT team. Police were trying to serve an arrest warrant at the woman's home…

A juvenile Venezuelan migrant was arrested Friday after he allegedly shot a tourist in Times Square‚ New York City‚ and then allegedly shot twice at a police officer Thursday evening‚ authorities said.Times…