Recently, I met with a group of pastors in our state from churches of similar theology and similar size. We discussed many of the topics that you would expect from the pastors of these churches.

We talked about worship. Actually, we talked about the lack of worship in the churches. This is what one of the longest serving pastors asked: “Do you have problems with people letting anything get in the way of worship? Do they seem to put anything and everything over meeting with the church and giving priority to God?”

We listened as he poured out his heart over the lack of commitment from his people, how hunting season, LSU football, team sports all take precedence over the worship of our God. No one around the table contradicted what he had to say about worship. No one said: “It’s different in my church.” To the contrary, we all agreed that it’s the same everywhere.

What a sad commentary on the church in America.

What do we do to get to where we want to be–or should I say where God wants us to be?

First, we must recognize that worship is God’s priority.  God calls people not to forsake their assembling with other believers (Hebrews 10:25). Establish a plan today for worshiping God with a large group of people and also for worshiping God privately. Worship of God should be with others and it should be something that we do daily.

Second, we must recognize that God speaks through worship. Isn’t that what we would expect? Is it really possible to spend much time with God without worship? My experience indicates that if we really want to hear God speak we have to meet with Him in worship. But it is more than my experience, it is the Word of God. God is clear about hearing the voice of God in worship (God can speak when and where He pleases, but the Bible shows that God usually works in our worship experiences). If we wish to hear God, public and private worship must take on importance.

Third, we must recognize that worship demands a response. Worship is not really worship until we make choices that please God. My mentor, John Olen Strange, used to say that the worst sin of a believer is to leave church unchanged. God wants us to say with Isaiah: “Here am I, send me.”

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