Man of Depravity - Tyler Braun's posts on Church Ministry, Worship, Seminary, and Theology.

Freedom in Worship

2009 September 08

by Tyler

Over the weekend I went back and forth as to whether I should share something that was on my heart during Sunset’s services on Sunday or not. In the end I decided to only share it in the 11 because it tied in very well with the first 2 songs. Here is basically what I said:

I don’t often think of Sunset being a place where I experience freedom in worship. Last weekend I came to one of the services at Sunset. And I remember this overwhelming voice within me saying “this place is too big, don’t engage, don’t stand up, don’t close your eyes, don’t raise your hands.” Sadly it isn’t all that uncommon for thoughts like that to be running around in my head on Sunday mornings. You might be standing out there right now and having those same thoughts go through your head. And I have to be honest, I think those thoughts and voices are straight from the Devil. I know that God desires that we would be able to experience freedom in Him during worship and that Sunset would be a place where freedom in worship happens.

I then prayed against Satan’s schemes and over everyone in the room. I’ve had a few people contact me since I said that, so I wanted to clarify a little of what I meant.

First and foremost I think it must be said that the Bible specifically says that God is freedom (2 Cor. 3:17). So when I say that those voices in my head are from the Devil I’m not really guessing, I know they are because they are decidedly opposite of who God is.
What freedom in worship looks like for each person is different. So for some it might be raising their hands, for others it might be singing with their eyes closed, for some it might be engaging their heart with the lyric of a song. Freedom in worship does not necessarily mean an outward response. But just because it isn’t necessarily an outward response doesn’t mean that we shouldn’t respond to God with our outward emotions in worship.
David talked about becoming more undignified than dancing naked before God. That is freedom in worship (though I’d prefer people keep their clothes on in church).
We bind ourselves with our cultural idea of what worship should look like and by allowing those voices to control how we worship. This is a total contradiction with the freedom God offers us in His presence.

Hopefully this clears up any questions you may have had.

If not, feel free to ask me any question/concerns you have about this.

(Photo: Jonathan Kendall)

Filed under: worship Tags: worship

http://seekingafter.blogspot.com/ Bubba

Wow. Great thoughts here. I often have the same sort of thoughts you mention running through my head. I’ve been a part of many different kinds of church from Southern Baptist to PCUSA to Pentecostal Holiness to Church of Christ. Each one has had a set of “expected practices” in the worship services – some more broad and/or liberal than others.

I often think about what it is that holds me back from freedom in worship (internal or external) and it keep s coming back to one thing – Fear of Man. I fear what others may think of me or I fear that I may disrupt other people.

Your reference to being “undignified” reminds me that my worship is about God and for God! And I need to push my hangups about all the rest aside and focus on Him…

Thanks for the reminder,
Bubba
lewp

You will be amazed to know I had these exact thoughts on Sunday as well.
The church I am visiting was having communion. When it came time to recieve communion, the lady in front of me said ” come and let’s take communion.”
I had to decline her request.

It wasn’t because i didn’t want to, it was because i wasn’t prepared to take communion. Previous teachings have taught me that you must be aligned properly with God to do that…and i didn’t feel comfortable at that time.

The lady that was sitting right next to me didn’t go to the front either…and as we both sat there….being the only two on our row to not go down front….there was a kindred spirit there…I felt we were connecteed there..and God ordained that….I can’t explain what I just said…but i think God meant for that to happen…

It was the best 15 minutes of my life in a year….

As church was over…our eyes met as we shook hands ..and i told her i hoped she came back next Sunday….

stay tuned…
http://www.trcabc.com,www.CarolBrookeBooks.com Carol Brooke

Hi Tyler,

I like what you said. When Dan practices at home Alana and I dance around and sing out loud. In church I’d like it if more people felt comfortable being free about their worship (like we do at home). I think God would like us to feel free to worship him in whatever way we feel is in our hearts while at church.
http://ash-nits.blogspot.com ash

recently i posted on my fb something like “how far will you let me go? how abandoned will you let me be?”…the lyrics come from one on my favorite worship songs. despite the fact that the responses i got were a bit funny~(basically, nobody got it)~ i think these are some of the most important and emotional lyrics i’ve ever worshiped w/. to press close to the throne of heaven means that i MUST become willing…to be stripped & “undignified.” expression in worship is something i have long loved and i believe it pleases the heart of God for us to look like “fools” so to speak, in genuine heart and worship and expression before him.

in Zephaniah, God speaks of singing over us: celebrating us, loving us…should we not respond the same way- should we not rejoice as well?
http://www.richkirkpatrick.com Rich Kirkpatrick

Sounds like fun!

I really do believe worship leaders indeed have what some would say is a prophetic voice so it seems the insights you brought are important to your family of faith there locally. You do not look like the guy who just stirs up things, either. By the way, a leader who never gets in trouble is…well…is not much of a leader. Kudos for stepping out on your convictions and leading and I hope the ensuing flack will not be scaled beyond reason.
http://manofdepravity.com/2009/09/17/clarifying/ Clarifying « Man of Depravity

[...] gotten the sense from my posts on freedom in worship last week and yesterday that some have wondered what I think worship truly [...]