Living in Cincinnati is wonderful, especially in the Spring. Late March/early April means Opening Day, the parade through downtown and all the festivities that surround the first game of the Major League Baseball season. But no matter how numerous and excited the fans are, only eighteen players will take the field. All the fans can do is watch and cheer. They can only observe and never participate, despite their approval or protest.

Some forms of worship lead to observation rather than participation. During my seminary career I was blessed to sit at the feet of Donald Husted (his books, Jubilate I and Jubilate II). During his class on the history of church worship, we traveled to different congregations to experience their worship style. I vividly remember the trips to the orthodox churches, one Greek and one Armenian. 

At the Greek Orthodox congregation the people didn’t seem deeply engaged in worship. The reason was that on the platform, behind the dais, there was lots of action. Priests would come in and out of view performing different tasks not always in sync with worshippers. The idea was to create the illusion of heaven’s worship during the corporate worship of the church. I’m sure they didn’t mean for their congregants to disengage, but that appeared to be the result. 

The same is happening to modern Protestant churches. We are enthralled by the artistry of music and performance which strips us of our responsibility to participate. A live band on stage tends to create a concert effect which must be watched. 

This loss of participation allows worship to be dumbed-down into feelings rather than affirmations. Don’t get me wrong. I like to feel the hand of the Lord, too, but worship is an act of faith. If I don’t have goose bumps I don’t question the experience. The need for an emotional response is the result of creeping Pentecostalism’s encroachment on orthodox Protestantism.

Another problem is that some of the music is questionable. See Editor Joshua Abaya’s article, “Elevation Worship's 'See a Victory' Reminds Us Why Theology is Important.” Abaya presents a clear argument that questions the current prosperity-pentecostal music sweeping through the church.

I won’t go into all the theological problems, but let me encourage you to read Todd Wagner’s article, “Should We Use Bethel Songs in Worship? 4 Diagnostic Questions.” Wagner gives helpful suggestions for believers, especially those leading worship, to judge the healthfulness of their church music. For more on the theology of Bethel see Samuel Farag’s article, “Bethel's False Gospel.” Farag outlines the dangerous teachings of Bethel’s pulpit.

Besides changes in affection and theology, there are other consequences to creating an observer- effect. For one [thing], an inappropriate type of pressure is placed on preaching. If the music is high-energy and entertaining what does that ask of the pastor who has to follow? He is forced into a position to either maintain the emotional zest or use it to manipulate his listeners. Otherwise, the watching worshipper will judge him and the sermon and find them lacking.

If the music is all about victory and blessing and the pastor has prepared a sermon on suffering for Christ and dying to self, what will be the effect? A dissonance is set up between what the attendee wants to hear and the truth of God’s Word as the Spirit of God has inspired the man of God. 

As the apostle told us, the above approach does not bode well for the church. “For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but wanting to have their ears tickled, they will accumulate for themselves teachers in accordance to their own desires.” (2 Timothy 4:3 NASB)

The same thing happens to every element of the service. The bar is raised and production value overtakes any biblical quality. In other words, it becomes nothing more than a performance; another concert judged by the “feels” it produces.

Please don’t hear this as “all praise and worship is bad.” It’s not. I’m not advocating that the baby be thrown out with the bath water. We, as churchmen, must be more discriminatory about what we allow before our people. 

The online church is another way in which we have abandoned participation in favor of observation. This is nothing new. Since the advent of television, churches have broadcast their services in an effort to share the gospel and to provide for the shut-in member. However, this quickly became an excuse for some not to participate as worshippers in-person. 

In “5 Biggest Online Churches,” Andrew Conrad lists the mega churches with the largest online campuses. The philosophy is simple. Give the people what they want. Conrad points to generational change as a culprit in this trend. He says, “. . . the allure of connecting online rather than face-to-face has become too prevalent for church leadership to ignore.”

Churches that create online campuses destroy the ancient understanding of what it means to be a congregation. They take the observation model to a new height. This creates several problems:

• Fellowship is ruined. Corporate worship is “dirty business” because there are people involved. Virtual worship sterilizes the human element.

• It turns corporate prayer into private prayer. This robs the worshipper of the blessing of Matthew 18:19-20.

• Giving becomes a convenience rather than an act of worship.

That being said, there is a place for virtual communion. The Covid-19 outbreak has created a condition for congregations to find new ways to gather.  

However, the virtual church is so popular now that you can buy an online church starter kit complete with ordination certification, legal help, website development tools and all for a “low, low price.” There is no physical plant required, no messy membership problems, and no face-to-face meet ups.

Such a trend is not healthy. We know that willingly separating ourselves from corporate worship is not the will of the Lord. “Not forsaking our own assembling together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another; and all the more, as you see the day drawing near.” (Hebrews 10:25 NASB)

Where does this leave the small-member congregation that cannot afford an online campus or the expense of a full band with all the accouterments? Is this model really meant for them? Of course not. The megachurch easily slides off into the observation model while the small church depends on participation. If you don’t participate in a small setting it will be noticed. This is a good thing as it guards against the trend of non-involvement.

True worship should be different. It is never meant to be observed. So what does participatory worship look like? A beautiful picture of worship is penned in the 1689 Baptist Confession of Faith: 

The reading of the Scriptures, preaching, and hearing the Word of God, teaching, and admonishing one another in psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs, singing with grace in our hearts to the Lord: as also the administration of baptism, and the Lord’s Supper, as all parts of religious worship of God, to be performed in obedience to Him, with understanding, faith, reverence, and godly fear; moreover, solemn humiliation, with fastings, and thanksgivings, upon special occasions, ought to be used in an holy and religious manner. Chapter 22, “Of Religious Worship and  the Sabbath Day,” paragraph 5.

Notice the phrase, “to be performed in obedience to Him.” We are jeopardizing our obedience by drifting more and more toward the observation model of worship. 

So what do we do? Let me give seven suggestions:

• Be deliberate about worship. Slow down and think about every element. The Lord is teaching us through these forms.

• Come to church willing to engage. Look for ways to participate during the service. 

• Don’t seek the outward expression of the “show”—seek to make much of Jesus.

• Enjoy the technology, but remember that it is not necessary for worship. 

• Be doctrinally aware. If the latest and greatest worship song does not stand squarely on the Bible, ask your worship leader not to use it. 

The modern church loves trends, but just because something is trendy doesn’t mean it’s healthy. If we don’t check ourselves and police our own doctrine and practice, no one else will. Let’s climb down out of the stands and onto the field, to give glory to the Lord in obedience to Him.