The Gift of Corporate Worship

When I was a teenager, with my youth group, I attended area-wide worship services that were sometimes a “regathering” of area churches after summer convention, but some of them were services just for teenagers. Like me.

I still remember those moments of worship locally and my experiences at convention. In fact, when at convention in Estes Park, Colorado, there was this up and coming music artist, named Chris Tomlin. He introduced the song, “Indescribable” and told us all to go home and tell our radio stations to play it. I had never heard of the guy and clearly the song was new, but now you’re probably laughing like I am…who knew he’d now be one of the leading artists in the industry!

Anyways, that’s beside the point!

The point I want to make is, there is something about gathering with fellow believers, to worship the King. This can also be referred to as “corporate worship” and though the word “corporate” can have a stale or maybe even negative connotation, it simply means to gather as believers to praise and honor God.

Hebrews 10:19-25 says…

Therefore, brothers and sisters, since we have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus, ²⁰ by a new and living way opened for us through the curtain, that is, his body,²¹ and since we have a great priest over the house of God, ²² let us draw near to God with a sincere heart and with the full assurance that faith brings, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water.²³ Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful. ²⁴ And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, ²⁵ not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.

There is something that happens when you are with other people:

1. Glorify God TOGETHER. It’s simply this. What more could we want than to lift the name of Jesus high, above all other names, with other believers?
2. A fire is lit when we all sing as one. I like listening to the radio in the car, but I get what I like to call the “Holy Ghost chills” when there is a resounding echo of worship in a sanctuary, gym, or even arena, when everyone is singing as one. Each on their own journey, but for that moment, sharing in your stories together.
3. Worship keeps the focus off ourselves and keeps our gaze on God. It’s easy to walk into the sanctuary overwhelmed by life and/or stuck in the mundane. But when the music starts, God created us to be attuned to this type of beauty, and we can’t help but think about Him. His goodness and His presence in our lives, etc.
4. Sanctifying practice. Lyrics are powerful. When lyrics are centered on Scripture, there is a sanctifying/changing act that occurs. God created us to be in communion with Him and when our minds and hearts are inundated with words and music that glorify Him, if our hearts believe in Him, they are bent towards Him. I often tell Mazy it matters what we listen to and this is why. When we hear truth, we speak and believe truth.
5. Mutual encouragement. Sometimes church narthex’s are the most overwhelming place. Who do I talk to? Will I fit in? I don’t dare go into that circle! Church brings in a diverse group of people. But it doesn’t mean we have to feel alone. When we allow ourselves to stand in the same pew or row with someone we may not know, we have to realize that we are all there as servants of Christ, desiring to be with Him, together. Often in church (though they are places occupied by sinners), we are mutually encouraged. When we are all singing the same tune, there is a mutual encouragement that occurs, isn’t there?

I believe worship can happen anywhere! But corporate worship is a gathering of believers; something that can’t happen just via video or on your couch. When I was recovering from my BMT, I missed going to church SO MUCH. I was isolated from society for months and I missed being AT church. My soul missed it. Then someone thought of the idea of putting 3 chairs in the way back of church, away from everyone else, so that I could come. So for months, I came in late, sat with my family in the way back against the wall, but still in the sanctuary, with my mask on, and left early. I couldn’t stay and talk with anyone, but I was there.

I missed corporate worship. I am thankful for the streaming our church had, but it was never the same and it never will be.

God calls us to corporate worship.

Mazy and I had the chance to experience corporate worship in a different setting last week, as we went to a Phil Wickham, Tauren Wells, and Jamie MacDonald concert! A friend of mine, who happened to be my BMT nurse coordinator, now dear friend, found insanely cheap tickets last minute and asked if we wanted to go! It was a solid YES and what a night it was!

Worshipping with over 10,000 others, all lifting God’s name on high, brought me back to the days of convention and those worship experiences as a teenager. This was Mazy’s first concert and even though she ended up coming down with food poisoning, she said it was one of her most favorite times of her life. Like Phil Wickham said, it wasn’t about him or his leading, but about God and that is what was felt. Arms raised in glory and honor to Him!

If you are not part of a Bible-believing church and are curious about learning more, please let me know! I’d love to chat! Or if you’ve walked away from the church and desire to go back, I’d love to hear from you. Or if you’ve never stepped foot in a church, but are curious, please message me! I promise to not have all the answers, but what I have in Christ is something I want you to have too. I know churches can be hard places (we’ve experienced that hurt too), simply because we are all sinners in need of grace. But if church is something that you feel God calling you to, don’t wait! Now is the time!