Posted by John Hunt (24.223.158.84) on May 28, 2003 at 22:18:25:
In Reply to: Drama in the worship service posted by Annette on April 23, 2003 at 15:25:23:
Annette,
Traditions can take hold quickly in churches where things are always done the same way and in the same order. Certainly, there are things we should always want to do on the first day of the week (Sunday) when Christ arose from the grave: for example, although, participation in the Lord's Supper on this day, is itself a tradition, it was started well before the canon of Scripture was complete (see Acts 20:7). We should also, "Speak to one another with psalms, hymns and spiritual songs. Sing and make music in your heart to the Lord, always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ" (Eph. 5:19-20, cf. Col. 3:16).
We should certainly do our best worship God in the way we are commanded and in the way shown us by example through Christ and His Apostles. However, many things that are done during worship services in churches are merely traditions of men. Do not get caught up in them as if they were commandments from God (see Mark 7:5-8).
As far as a few members standing or sitting in front of the congregation singing during a worship service, I would be concerned if this was done to the exclusion of other members singing during the service. I personally do not see a problem with someone or a group singing a song or two by themselves, but if the rest of the congregation does not participate in singing, then how can they obey the command to "Speak to one another with psalms, hymns and spiritual songs..." (Eph. 5:19)? Also, concerning the number of members standing before the congregation leading the singing or acting as a "praise team", I am neither for it or against it. Actually, I have searched the Scriptures forward and backward and can find no reference to a "song leader" whatsoever. I consider this nothing more than a tradition, because there is certainly no command for us to have one or many.
May God bless you in your concern for proper worship of Him,
John Hunt