How Should We Gather?

I was instructed to "Write a blog post on the topic of how we should gather" and asked the questions, "Do you prescribe to the normative or regulative principle? What elements would you say must be present in a worship service and why?"

Previously, we concluded that communal worship is necessary for the church to thrive. Today we will delve into how we should gather, and discover if there is a defined Biblical order of worship. We see various churches that claim to serve the Lord across the world. One may prefer minimal instrumentation and technology, while singing hymns and theologically dense songs. They proceed to sit in pews, participating in a strict liturgy followed by a benediction. Another church is more familiar with the electric guitar sound at the beginning of the service, followed by a shorter message, a video of a charity organization, and an emotional prayer nearing the end. Neither of these services are inherently wrong, but they contain details that some may describe as forms of worship.

Does God really care how we worship him? Is it wrong to worship God in ways that he has not specifically abhorred? This is the debate of the regulative principle of worship versus the normative principle of worship. People who take hold of the normative principle of worship would argue that the church can allow that which is not addressed in Scripture, while those who accept the regulative principle of worship find that the Bible specifies everything needed for a church gathering. While it is helpful to know the difference between these issues, there is a middle ground that I seek to discover.

First, we must stand by the Word of God to direct our church services, along with our everyday lives. Matt Merker’s book, Corporate Worship: How the Church Gathers as God’s People, addresses worship directly. He claims that “God gathers us (1) unto his glory, (2) for our mutual good, (3) before the world’s gaze.” We come together to worship the Lord first, then to build each other up, and finally to be an example to non-believers. We keep unbelievers in mind, but do not conform to the world to avoid offending them. This leads to an unbiblical view of the gospel and a shallow sense of conviction. Ephesians 5:19 and Romans 15:5-6 clearly acknowledge that Christian gatherings are vertical (exalting God) and horizontal (edifying others).

“Addressing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody to the Lord with your heart” (Eph. 5:19, ESV).

“May the God of endurance and encouragement grant you to live in such harmony with one another, in accord with Christ Jesus, that together you may with one voice glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.” (Rom. 15:5-6).

While these core messages along with the gospel must be upheld, the methods of doing so have evolved. For instance, Jesus physically broke bread and reclined at a table with twelve of his disciples as communion. Does this mean that it is sinful to eat packaged wafers and drinks for communion with a larger group in the church? I will leave that open for you to debate. Similarly, music styles have changed but we must still follow the command to sing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs to the Lord. I have come to the conclusion that both contemporary and traditional music can please the Lord, as long as they are all sung with a genuine heart and with a joyful spirit.

“Make a joyful noise to the Lord, all the earth! Serve the Lord with gladness! Come into his presence with singing” (Ps. 100:1).

We have already established that we must only worship and serve God. Merker again points out a helpful truth: “we become like what we worship.” Making idols out of principles, traditions, and liturgies is not helpful in furthering the Kingdom. Rather it causes division. With that disclaimer aside, it is important to note the Scripture commands our worship to be humble, orderly, decent, and done building one another up in mind (1 Cor. 14:40; 14:26).

“But all things should be done decently and in order” (1 Cor. 14:40).

“What then, brothers? When you come together, each one has a hymn, a lesson, a revelation, a tongue, or an interpretation. Let all things be done for building up” (1 Cor. 14:26).

Similar to 1 Corinthians 14:26, Romans 14:19 instructs Christians to “pursue what makes for peace and mutual upbuilding.” There is no need to cause a division in the church over the forms of worship. Instead of incorporating what we “feel like” let us do as the Word instructs: worshiping the only true God. There is no perfect church, but a healthy church focuses on the Lord wholeheartedly. Its main concern is that Jesus is glorified and that brothers and sisters are edified.