Happy Clappy Worship Celebrity
I recently was sent a Facebook invitation to an upcoming Christian concert being hosted by a Christian radio station I worked at years ago in Eastern Canada. After giving the who, what and where of the concert, the invitation read, ‘Most of the world have been worshiping to his music for years now, but we have an opportunity to worship with him LIVE.’
I think I just threw up in my mouth.
The musician they are promoting is very talented. We have one of his albums and his songwriting and lead guitar playing skills are seriously impressive. I also have no doubt that he is a passionate worshipper of Jesus Christ and it’s true that his songs are being used to help the worldwide church focus their attention towards God. But I’m sure that even he would agree that this concert has nothing to do with the opportunity to worship with him, LIVE.
Natalia and I are privileged to know a number of widely known Christian worship leaders whose songs are being sung around the world. Stuart Townend (In Christ Alone and How Deep the Father’s Love For Us), Paul Oakley (Jesus, Lover of My Soul and Because of You), Lou & Nathan Fellingham (Holy Holy and There Is A Day) immediately come to mind. Matt Redman has lead worship at our church on a number of occasions and I’ve been involved in events with worship leaders like Joel Houston (Hillsong), Chris Tomlin and others. In every case I have felt that when these people have lead worship, it has been clear that their focus has not been to glorify themselves but rather to glorify the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Even through I’ve not seen the artist the Christian radio station was promoting, I’m quite certain the same could be said of him.
There’s nothing wrong with ‘Christian’ concerts, although defining exactly what makes a concert ‘Christian’ is rather tricky. But it is terribly unwise, and quite arguably blasphemous, to package that concert as a privileged opportunity to worship along side of another created being.
Our privilege in worship is found entirely in that we, as created beings, can dare to approach the very throne of the one, true, perfectly holy God without being turned into a little pile of smoking ash on the floor. This is only possible because of Jesus Christ, who has made a way for us to approach the throne of God with confidence (Hebrews 4:16). THAT is the privilege we have in worship. It is entirely because of Jesus and not at all because of ourselves.
What do you think?:
Powered by Facebook Comments