amen!!! i grew up in a pentecostal church, and heard and experienced so many unfortunate misconceptions about worship. i laboured under the wrongful conclusion that if i did not weep, or was not at least very emotionally stirred, as a result of worship, that i had failed to truly commune with the Lord. it was so demoralising, week to week, and even daily in my devotions. i praise the Lord that He showed me what His Word has to say on this topic, and that i no longer “labour” in worship. i certainly have to work constantly at appropriately worshipping in Spirit and in truth, but it is no longer a burden i bear in church. i am a member of a PCA church, and though our worship is quieter and seemingly not as shiny as from where i came, i rejoice that it is biblical. what an important post, thank you for writing this and compiling such a strong, biblical defence for true worship. i pray the Lord takes this article and uses it to help open the eyes of our fellow brothers and sisters in Christ who need to be equipped to worship well.
amen!!! i grew up in a pentecostal church, and heard and experienced so many unfortunate misconceptions about worship. i laboured under the wrongful conclusion that if i did not weep, or was not at least very emotionally stirred, as a result of worship, that i had failed to truly commune with the Lord. it was so demoralising, week to week, and even daily in my devotions. i praise the Lord that He showed me what His Word has to say on this topic, and that i no longer “labour” in worship. i certainly have to work constantly at appropriately worshipping in Spirit and in truth, but it is no longer a burden i bear in church. i am a member of a PCA church, and though our worship is quieter and seemingly not as shiny as from where i came, i rejoice that it is biblical. what an important post, thank you for writing this and compiling such a strong, biblical defence for true worship. i pray the Lord takes this article and uses it to help open the eyes of our fellow brothers and sisters in Christ who need to be equipped to worship well.
A much needed conversation in our time, and especially our Appalachian culture. Great job!