Authentic Christian Worship

October 17, 2021

“Come, let us worship and bow down;” – Psalm 95:6a

Worship.

It’s a word thrown around churches all the time.

What is worship, anyway?

Worship is defined as an act of religious devotion usually directed towards a deity. An act of worship may be performed individually, in an informal or formal group, or by a designated leader.

Soren Kierkegaard, a Danish philosopher in the 19th century, once clarified the most common misconception about worship using a drama analogy: “When we come to worship God, we generally feel as though the preacher and other ministers are the performers, God is the subject of the performance, and we, as the congregation, are merely the audience…but this is a terrible misunderstanding of worship.”

Kierkegard goes on to say, “Authentic Christian worship is just the opposite. We, the congregation, are the performers. The preachers and other ministers are the directors of the performance…and God is the audience.”

Next time you worship, try this perspective. It will make it a more meaningful experience for you and God will be glorified.