The bible says that God inhabits the praises of his people. So with our worship we are building his temple. But how are we building it? What are we building it with? And what are the skills and right attitude needed to build it? Is there a biblical standard for these? And lastly, how does God expect this "temple" to function? Or, simply, what does God plan to do with it?
These are some tough questions. But I really believe they are all answered in a particular passage of the Old Testament. I'm refering to the entire 29th chapter of 2 Chronicles.
NOTE: I suppose any translation would do, but I find the New Living Translation says it more clearly than any other version. So if that's not the translation you read, don't worry. You can at least look at the NLT and compare it to your bible. Even though the NLT uses different words than, say, the KJV or NKJV, I'm certain it's no cause for any doctrinal dispute. I think you'll find that the "spirit" of this particular passage holds true no matter what translation you read.
And so, on with it...
Here, the bible speaks of King Hezekiah as he reopens the temple of the Lord after years of disuse. If you can make a leap with me here to see the physical temple of the Lord (the one Hezekiah is reopening) as the one we create with our worship on Sunday, and our church musicians as the priests and levites Hezekiah commands to get it ready for use, what you will see, I hope, is a clear expression of...
1. the right attitude of a worship leader (or any other church musician - we don't all have the position of "leader" but we are all leading someone);
2. the function of worship within the context of corporate worship;
3. the exact duties of a worship leader or church musician;
and finally, what I believe to be God's intention...
4. the result of having done all these things excellently (both, done with the right attitude AND simply done right, to the very best of everyone's ability).
Let's take a look.
________________________________________These are some tough questions. But I really believe they are all answered in a particular passage of the Old Testament. I'm refering to the entire 29th chapter of 2 Chronicles.
NOTE: I suppose any translation would do, but I find the New Living Translation says it more clearly than any other version. So if that's not the translation you read, don't worry. You can at least look at the NLT and compare it to your bible. Even though the NLT uses different words than, say, the KJV or NKJV, I'm certain it's no cause for any doctrinal dispute. I think you'll find that the "spirit" of this particular passage holds true no matter what translation you read.
And so, on with it...
Here, the bible speaks of King Hezekiah as he reopens the temple of the Lord after years of disuse. If you can make a leap with me here to see the physical temple of the Lord (the one Hezekiah is reopening) as the one we create with our worship on Sunday, and our church musicians as the priests and levites Hezekiah commands to get it ready for use, what you will see, I hope, is a clear expression of...
1. the right attitude of a worship leader (or any other church musician - we don't all have the position of "leader" but we are all leading someone);
2. the function of worship within the context of corporate worship;
3. the exact duties of a worship leader or church musician;
and finally, what I believe to be God's intention...
4. the result of having done all these things excellently (both, done with the right attitude AND simply done right, to the very best of everyone's ability).
Let's take a look.
(Check back soon. I will be completing this post over the next several days.)
