Perceptions #200031

"Worship Wars"

by Mark Pugh

One of my favorite speakers and writers is Jack Reese, the dean of biblical studies at Abilene Christian University. His presentation on "Riches" at the Pepperdine Lectures two years ago was one of the most powerful sermons I have ever heard.

Now I want to commend to you an article in the latest Christian Chronicle that Jack wrote. The title is "Worthy is Our Worship." In the article, he deals with the "worship wars" going on in many churches today. No matter which side of the battle you may be on his article will cut you to the heart. Reese states, "At its core, worship is an encounter with a holy God and an unholy people. Which means, the essence of worship is surrender. This is the true worship war - not our disagreements over how to worship, but whether we will surrender our will to His." Ouch!

Reese details some of the "bloodletting" issues down through the centuries. It is important to remember that divisive issues have always faced the church. In fact, he regards the worship wars as quite tame compared to some of the controversies faced in the past.

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