WORSHIP IN THE LOCAL CHURCH

       (This Blogger is a life-long Southern Baptist)

 There will,  for the foreseeable future, exist a ten-
sion between traditionalists, peacemakers and the 
folks who would completely renovate  the worship
style of the church. This is a national issue. 

     Since there is no hierchy in  our organization, 
it must be addressed at the local church. A better understanding may be gained if we consider each
of our assemblies is autonomous and is linked by
an  interest in  propagating  the Gospel of  Jesus
Christ cooperatively through the support of evan-
gelism, training, and missions.  No organization,
individual or other body is in  authority  over the
local church and each is responsible to our Lord
as we understand the Scripture and each is auto-
mous.  There are influences  from nearby assem-
blies  as well as other organizations who  furnish
literature  and  sevice  helps, and  our denomina-
tion  has, over the  years  established Bible Colle-
ges, universities and charitable organizations.
These entities have some influence; no authority.

    No  individual or other body is in a position 
of authority over the local church.  Worship is
planned and carried out by a local leadership. 
There  are, of course, influences  from  nearby
assemblies,  as well  as organizations who are responsible for literature and other helps. Our
denomination, over the years, has started and supported Bible colleges and universities.They 
have influence  with  local assemblies, with no authority.

The most compelling reason for a smaller con-
gregation  to begin to cross over from traditio-
nal worship to a more contemporary style may
be the evident success of a neighboring congre-
gation.  This may be  the poorest reason, but it
is inevitable, given the human nature  at  work.
This also works out in youth ministry, outreach
emphasis and sports program.  At times a con-
gregation  will look with  envy at the  apparent
success of a  sister church.  Appraisal is made
of the situation and the struggling  group tries 
to bring theirs into  conformity with other suc-
cessful  groups.  If  there is true success in the assembly being copied, it's unlikely the reason 
for their success will be apparent to a Confor-
mer.  We look on the  trappings and organiza-
tion while the true reason may be  Spiritual in 
nature and not outward.  If the assembly, tries
to conform, or even copy the other, comes to a
Scriptural or Spiritual  approach to  their own
problems it is more likely to succeed.  Each  of
our congregations is unique,  having  differing
needs.  Would it not be better if there were var-
ied  programs in a community  rather than  for
groups to copy each other?
 It is possible, even likely, our Lord would have
local neighboring churches with contrasting or
complimentary styles than identical worship. It
is certainly a truth, that differing styles appeal
to many  persons and  following the leadership
of the Lord God is better than copying another
local assembly as to worship content and style.
When Jesus Christ is truly worshiped in Spirit
and in truth, success as God sees it, is guaran-
teed.  The media, or vehicle of the message, is
important in that it presents the Gospel of our
Lord Jesus Christ in  an appealing format and
the power and wisdom of the Holy Spirit.  Our
Lord will  bless such an  effort as it  is  Christ
centered and actuated by His Holy Spirit. The
music, worship styles  and organization within
our assemblies may vary widely, but truth as is
found in God's Eternal Word is not optional.
          AMEN...donporter    ed.  12.18.14, 7.28.16