Where did we ever get the idea that worship should be safe? One hour, four songs, a sermon, a hug and then off to lunch. As Labberton confront us in The Dangerous Act of Worship, we try to domesticate God. His presence in our worship is more than welcome, so long as fits within our framework. When safety is the organizing theme of our worship, we become inured to be in awe of false dangers rather than being in awe of our God. The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge…(Proverbs 1:7)
What are these false dangers? Mark lists six:
- Worship that is not under control
- Worship that doesn’t seem relevant
- Worship that doesn’t meet expectations
- Worship that isn’t popular
- Worship that isn’t comfortable
- Worship that’s unfamiliar
- If you are involved in planning worship, leading worship,
If you lead worship, plan worship, or just show up at worship, you cannot help but read this list and see our guilt in pushing God’s dangerous presence out of the worship that is supposed to be directed at Him. I was humbled and convicted as I slowly read each section and realized how our worship services had become conformed to the wishes of man rather opened up to the arrival of God. The question we are forced to deal with then is what will happen within our churches if we rid ourselves of these false dangers and open up the worship to the awe of God? We can almost immediately picture in our minds those who will leave because things are not in control, they are not comfortable, the songs are oddly chosen, etc. I suppose the very fact that this is our thought points to how far away from true worship we gone. Shall we repent together?
LOVE | ACCEPT | FORGIVE 
I read with great interest the entry about getting past servant evangelism, externally focused this and that… totally agree! As one of the pioneers in this area this sentiment has been my goal from the beginning some 20+ years ago honestly. I have been frustrated with the perception of many that serving is somehow connected with an organized “program” – I have NEVER thought such a thing – all such thoughts have been miscues from my heart. Programs don’t work – never have – never will. The only place in the Church world one can even find a program is in North America where the Church is obviously stuck in all conceivable ways.
In recent publications I have made this abundantly clear (I hope!) In Outflow this message has been taken to the individual level – no big plan, no program… as written on this site a couple of weeks ago, it is just loving the next person in front of us… connecting with already existing groups in town – by the power of Jesus in us! His love flowing through us.