Worship Is A Verb
by Pastor Jeff Blain

“O come, let us sing to the LORD; let us make a joyful noise to the rock of our salvation!  Let us come into his presence with thanksgiving; let us make a joyful noise to him with songs of praise!”  Psalm 95:1-2

A professor of worship by the name of Robert Webber once wrote a book called, Worship is a Verb.  Now I have to admit up front that I have not read anything but the title – in fact, I don’t even own the book!  But I’m willing to guess that if I ever get a chance to read it, that I will probably like it.  Why do I say that?  Because I REALLY like the title!

You see, the title reminds me that worship is something that involves me.  As a pastor friend of mine likes to say, “Worship is not a spectator sport, it is a participatory event.”  That is to say, it’s not something that I come to “watch” on Sunday mornings, instead it is something that I “do.”  (In fact, as you will read in other places in these devotions, it’s more than just Sunday too!)

I don’t know about you, but I am finding that more and more for me I need to “move around” during worship.  No, I’m not just talking about my meandering during the sermons.  I’m talking about the listening to the lessons, the singing of the hymns, songs, and liturgies.  The praying, the sharing in the meal.  The fellowship that occurs before and after the service. 

Sometimes it’s as simple as tapping my toe inside my shoe.  At other times, it’s more visible like clapping my hands or raising them in prayer or praise.  And sometimes, it’s almost like dancing – though you can hardly call what I do “dancing” in any artistic sense!!!

But worship is a verb.  It involves me in a multitude of ways.  And from what I read and hear about people in this “post-modern” world, there is a movement afoot in the Church to reconnect with some of those “ritual” actions that have been part of the practice of faith from time to time.  Whether it’s the signing of the cross upon your brow or over your chest.  Whether it’s having some water available to dip your fingers into to remind you of the baptismal promises.  Or even some artwork or other items in the worship space to help reconnect us with true beauty and grace.

Worship is a verb.  And just like there are all kinds of verbs, so too there are all kinds of worship.  What is meaningful for me might not mean much for you – and vice versa.  But it is my hope and prayer that our congregation will continue its tradition of allowing and enjoying a wide variety of worship styles and practices as we gather together at Ascension.

And through it all, we shall have the joy of being children of God and the privilege of singing His praises.

Gracious God, thanks for the wide variety of ways that we can worship You.  May worship be at the very heart of what we do at Ascension.  And may our worship – in whatever way we do it – be a pleasing offering to You.  In Jesus’ name, AMEN.