Posts with the tag “worship”

For centuries, Christians have debated how worship through song should look—whether hymns or Psalms, instruments or a cappella, traditional or contemporary styles. Today, those debates continue under the banner of the “worship wars,” but the battleground has shifted: Should churches sing songs written by ministries or authors with whom they strongly disagree? At The Way Church, we recognize the weight of both caution and freedom in this conversation. While some warn against supporting problematic ministries, others remind us that the church has long sung songs penned by flawed people. Our approach is neither dismissive nor careless. We carefully evaluate every song we sing by four priorities: biblical and doctrinal accuracy, gospel saturation, singability, and missional effectiveness. Above all, we believe worship must be God-centered—lifting our eyes to His worthiness while also building up His people. This means that, while we occasionally use songs from controversial sources, we do so selectively and thoughtfully, always aiming to glorify God and proclaim Christ with clarity and joy. True worship, after all, both honors the Lord and benefits His people, drawing hearts to deeper trust and greater delight in Him.  Read More

In Deuteronomy 15 and 16, we're reminded of God's desire for His people to gather in worship, remembering His faithfulness, rejoicing in His present goodness, and trusting in His future promises. The passage discusses some of the key celebrations for ancient Israel: the consecration of firstborn males, Passover, and the Feast of Weeks, and the Feast of Booths. These rituals weren't mere obligations, but invitations from God to experience His presence and goodness. As we reflect on these practices, we're challenged to consider how our own worship today incorporates these three 'tenses' of faith. Are we remembering God's past deliverance, rejoicing in His current blessings, and trusting in His future faithfulness? This message encourages us to view our gatherings not as burdens, but as opportunities to encounter God's love and renew our faith. It's a call to approach our gatherings together as more than just routine, but as transformative experiences that shape our daily lives and deepens our relationship with God.  Read More

Ephesians 5:18-19 (ESV)  And do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit,addressing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing andmaking melody to the Lord with your heart,Something special happens when we sing in worship together, maybe even more special than any other moment we share as Christians. Maybe that’s why God reserved more pages i...  Read More