Archive of posts tagged worship
The Value of Singing the Psalms
O, How We Need the Public Reading of Scripture
I am deeply enjoying Cry, the Beloved Country by Alan Paton now that I am finally reading it. Or, rather, I am listening to it. I can’t help but think that listening to Michael York read this book is the best way to savor it. One scene is particularly riveting and gives a moving picture …
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Singing Psalm 19
This week with my kids we have been singing the following version of Psalm 19 to the tune of “Lead on O King Eternal.” This only covers verses 1-6 & 14, so it would be better if it covered all these verses. It does capture though the connection between natural and special revelation, and the …
An Indictment on Evangelical Worship
At the start of a new semester, I have chosen for my poem of the week a stirring critique of all too common experiences in our evangelical worship services by Justin Wainscott. We have probably all seen the things skewered here. Let us labor for better. An Indictment on Evangelical Worship Set the stage and …
Targeting Trendy- Not Cool
Christian Today recently ran an article titled, “Which kind of church appeals to Millennials? It’s not as trendy and modern as you think.” I welcome almost anything that says “trendy isn’t as cool as you think.” That said, the article (unintentionally it seems) illustrates the problem with shaping ourselves based on the perceived desires or …
Tozer on Worship vs. Entertainment
“Oh, brother or sister, God calls us to worship, but in many instances we are in entertainment, just running a poor second to the theaters. That is where we are, even in the evangelical churches, and I don’t mind telling you that most of the people we say we are trying to reach will …
N T Wright’s Urgent Plea for the Psalms
“This book is a personal plea. The psalms, which make up the great hymnbook at the heart of the Bible, have been the daily lifeblood of Christians, and of course the Jewish people, from the earliest times. Yet in many Christian circles today, the Psalms are simply not used. And in many places where they …
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Trueman, “Tragic Worship”
Carl Trueman’s First Things article, “Tragic Worship,” is wonderful reminder of our need for addressing the tragic realities of life and death in our worship. Drawing from our understanding of tragedy in drama, Trueman critiques our preference for distraction. This is what much of modern worship amounts to: distraction and diversion. Praise bands and songs …
Congregational Singing Starts with the Pastor
In the most recent issue of the Baptist & Reflector Justin Wainscott has a wonderful column by this title. Justin rightly notes the importance of congregational singing and the fact that this is too often overlooked by pastors. Justin writes: Let’s face it. If our churches don’t value congregational singing, it’s likely because we don’t …
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