Church worship has dramatically changed over the last 10 years for good and bad.  There have been great strides to pull the church out of the “dark ages” and to show church members and visitors that worship can be made more “user-friendly”, but I’m not convinced this has all been done in a way that is reverent to God.

I’ve visited a lot of different churches over the last decade as part of church plant training and from a personal perspective of finding a church home.  These churches varied in denomination, style, and size.  And what I have discovered is that what once seemed cool and hip is really becoming a distraction instead of drawing me into a place where I can worship.  Let me elaborate.

Going to church is not about creating or crafting an experience that we feel comfortable in or that meets our needs.

A worship service is about giving God glory — through reverence, love, prayer, hearing His Words, submission, respect, and praise. There is no doubt that this can be achieved in a variety of styles or methods including loud music, soft music, no music, video, preaching, drama, art, standing, sitting, or kneeling.  My argument is not that there is one specific way to worship but that some church services have now become more about meeting our desires and not that of God’s.  The question is worship getting too relaxed?

People now loudly talk to each other throughout the service or consume massive amounts of coffee or snacks. Being at least 10 minutes late seems to be en vogue.  Playing with your cell phones and technology is a part of worship.  Pastors must be part preacher, part entertainer, and part guru.  And for whatever reason, I see as much cleavage and thongs as Victoria’s Secret advertises.  There is just something very wrong with this! Church service is NOT supposed to be a movie, snack bar, or lingerie show.  I think that the seeker movement may have done more damage, than good.  It’s very concerning.

There have been amazing leaps made with technology and the casual attitude.  I don’t discredit that and am truly thankful.  I just wonder if the “come as you are, be who you are” mantra has fostered an environment and attitude that is not worship to an awesome God, but worship to our worldly desires instead.

What is worship to you and do you agree with the relaxed mind set that we should feel comfortable at church?