Liturgy: Start Here

The longer I lead worship the more heavily I lean into liturgical rhythms and practices. I have seen in my own life how deeply formative these practices slowly, consistently, and over time transform my affection and attention. But if you say ‘liturgy’ or ‘liturgical’ in some contexts, they immediately think Catholic. But liturgy has nothing to do with style, nothing to do with denominations. The word liturgy is Latin for ‘the work of the people.’ Every gathering is formative whether it is shaped by smells and bells, or loops and lasers.

When I served on staff at a church in the UK, apart from the Church of England and the Catholic Church there really was no context for liturgical rhythms and practices. So when I started bringing up the idea of corporate confessions, responsive readings, and scripted prayers, I had to spend time helping our people grasp the purpose and intention behind incorporating elements that were immediately associated with churches to which they intentionally did not belong.

But discipleship is the long game, so just because you serve in a context where there may be misunderstanding or immediate resistance to incorporating new rhythms does not mean you should not try. If you are looking to create liturgical rhythms within the community you serve, I think the church calendar is a great place to start. Engaging the seasons of Lent and Advent. So if you’d like to dip your toe in the water of more intentional liturgy, here are a few things I’ve written that can get you started:

• Creating Liturgical Rhythms

• Liturgical Resources

• Identifying Church Culture

• Know Your People

• Shifting The Culture

What Is Lent?

God has designed our world to be shaped by seasons: Spring, Summer, Fall, and Winter. Our lives are also shaped by seasons - made up of times of abundance, joy, and celebration, as well as times of suffering, pain, and loss.

This is why our calendars are filled with holidays, literally meaning holy days. These are days set apart from all the rest. We mark the days that have marked us. These holidays remind us every season of who we are, where we have been, and who we desire to be. So too with the Church calendar. Followers of Jesus have designed and followed the Church calendar to mark their lives and days by the arrival, life, death, resurrection, ascension, and return of Christ.

Beginning on Ash Wednesday, for forty days during Lent, we strip away some of our usual comforts (often through fasting) to create more space for reflection, repentance, and refining. These days ready our hearts to gaze upon the gore of Good Friday, and the glory of Resurrection Sunday.

Although there is no biblical mandate to celebrate the season of Lent, there are countless calls to remember. During Lent we remember our sin, we remember the suffering of our Savior, we remember his triumph of Christ over satan, sin, and death - and that is why Lent is not sullen, but sobering.

Beginning on Ash Wednesday, Lent is the period of forty days (excluding Sundays) leading up to Resurrection Sunday. These forty days represent the forty days Jesus spent facing temptation in the wilderness preparing for His earthly ministry and the ultimate purpose of his Advent: his death, and resurrection (John 6:38, Matthew 20:28). We trace the shadow of our sin through the shadow of Christ’s cross and empty tomb. This season invites us to acknowledge, expose, grieve, lament, and repent of our sin, and to our Savior once again.

30 January: Tuesday Refocus

‘God with us:’ this is hell’s terror, the sufferers comfort, eternity’s sonnet, heaven’s hallelujah, the shout of the glorified.’ - Spurgeon

During the Advent season, we sing of Emmanuel, God with us. God with us in the straw and swaddling clothes is the beginning of God with us in the tomb and grave clothes. Because the aim of Christmas is ultimately the cross and resurrection. In Christ, “…though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.” Philippians 2:6-8

This is the mystery into which angels long to look (1 Peter 1:12), this is the new and eternal song of heaven (Revelation 5:9-14): that God is with man so that that man might be with God again.

Jesus, you are God with us so that we might be with God - thank you, thank you, thank you. Amen.

Amen and amen,

AB

Postures in Worship

Shout

Sing

Silence

Fall down

Lift hands

Kneel

Dance

These are just some of the physical postures of worship we see throughout Scripture. But often it is not Scripture, but denominational affiliation or culture (family, church, city, country) that carries a greater influence on our physical posture during the gathering.

Let me be clear: our outward posture does not (always) equal inward posture of heart. And very clearly in Scripture, we see wild, exuberant postures of worship, as well as stillness, and awe. Too often as worship leaders, we use external signs as validation that we have done our jobs. Some people are naturally expressive, and others are naturally reserved. Certainly, there are days, songs, seasons, and times when our congregations respond in ways that we would not expect - in expression, volume, general engagement, and enthusiasm. Do we encourage silence without feeling the need to fill with pads, or piano, as much as we encourage people to sing out and raise their hands? Physical posture is not the sole indicator of true worship, but it may be a window into the hearts, lives, and cultures of our community.

How can you encourage a fuller understanding and expression of postures of worship in your gathering? How might you invite people to move out of their comfort zone (whether toward silence, or expression) not in response to the worship leader, but in response to God?

Tuesday Refocus: August 8

“Receive the gospel with gratitude, marveling that there is a God who loves us so much as to allow Himself to be devoured by death so that we might live.” - D.J. Marotta

The Gospel is not just for the moment of salvation but for every moment in the life of a believer. The person and work of Christ, the beauty and wonder of God’s saving work is something no mind can fully grasp. The gospel is something in which angels long to look and understand, and it will be the song of heaven for all eternity - but does it move you to marvel today? Has the gospel become commonplace - remembered in a prayer of thankfulness - but nothing that reorients our gaze, our affection, our attention, or our time? 

“Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world—the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride of life—is not from the Father but is from the world. And the world is passing away along with its desires, but whoever does the will of God abides forever.” - 1 John 2:15-17

Father, may we marvel today at the gospel. Your life laid down so that we may live. And may our song echo the Psalmist: “I shall not die, but I shall live, and recount the deeds of the LORD (Psalm 118:17).” Amen.

Marveling, 

AB

Tuesday Refocus: May 16

“Thankfulness is the fuel for living worship.” - Matt Boswell

Whether attending a corporate worship gathering or living a life of worship - right worship is always a response to God’s revelation of Himself.

I am made in the image of God (Genesis 1:27)

I am fearfully and wonderfully made (Psalm 139:14)

I am a child of God (1 John 3:1)

I have Christ as my brother (Hebrews 2:12)

I am adopted by God (Ephesians 1:5)

I am coheir’s with Christ (Romans 8:17)

Though my father and mother forsake me, the Lord will take me in (Psalm 27:10)

I belong to Christ (1 Corinthians 3:23)

I am a new creation (2 Corinthians 5:17)

I no longer live, but Christ lives in me (Galatians 2:20)

The Son of God loved me and gave Himself for me (Galatians 2:20)

I am given eternal life in the Son (Romans 6:23)

I am able to share in the inheritance of the saints (Colossians 1:12)

I am given all things in Christ (Romans 8:32)

I am the workmanship of God (Ephesians 2:10)

I have been created in Christ for good works, which God has prepared beforehand that I should walk in them (Ephesians 2:10)

I am a son of God through faith in Christ (Galatians 3:26)

I am buried with Christ in baptism into death, and raised to newness of life (Romans 6:4)

I am a partaker in the divine nature (2 Peter 1:4)

I am being conformed to the image of the Son (Romans 8:29)

Nothing can snatch me out of the hand of Christ (John 10:28)

Lord, may the reality of your heart, and unchanging character be fuel for me to live in worshipful response in song and in the most mundane moments of my life. In Your name, amen.

In response,

AB

Embodied Worship

We know that worship is more than a song. That in fact worship is the offering of our whole lives in response to God. And throughout Scripture, specifically the Psalms we see that worship is expressed through our bodies:

Singing (Psalm 9:11).

Dancing (Psalm 149:3).

Playing Instruments (Psalm 150:4).

Bowing your head in worship (Psalm 95:6).

Clapping your hands (Psalm 47:1).

Shouting (Psalm 66:1).

Being silent (Psalm 62:5).

Raising up your hands (Psalm 134:2).

Maybe these outward expressions of embodied worship do not represent the body of believers you serve, your church background, or your theological bent. But perhaps we who declare worship as more than a song need to acknowledge that the praise of God must be embodied as much as it is sung.

“Let everything that has breath praise the LORD! Praise the LORD!” Psalm 150:6

September 20: Tuesday Refocus

“May I seek after an increase of divine love to thee, after unreserved resignation to thy will.” - Puritan Prayer

Love and surrender walk hand-in-hand. Because sacrifice is an indication of the depth of love: “Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends.” John 15:13

If we truly understood the depths of God’s mercy, we would have no hesitation in offering ourselves as a spiritual act of worship (Romans 12:1). If we saw how deeply Christ had served us, we would wholeheartedly serve others (Matthew 20:28). If we knew that God first loved us, how constant we would love in response (1 John 4:19).

“Take my will and make it Thine; 

it shall be no longer mine. 

Take my heart, it is Thine own; 

it shall be Thy royal throne.

Take my love, my Lord, I pour

At Thy feet its treasure store.

Take myself, and I will be

Ever, only all for Thee.”

Frances R. Havergal (1836-1879)

May it be so, Lord. Surrender and love are the obvious outward of Your generous love towards us as Your people. In Christ’s name, amen.

Ever, only, all for Thee,

AB

Revelation and Response

Worship is more than a song, more than a period of time on a Sunday morning, more than the exclusive act of musicians. Worship is a rhythm of revelation and response. And we see this rhythm all throughout Scripture – people going about their normal lives, then God breaks in reveals Himself and everything changes:

Noah – a man who found favor.


Abraham – a pagan called out to be a blessing


Joseph – a not so self-aware little brother who God used for the provision and protection of many – setting the stage for a rescue and redemption for God’s people after 400 years of captivity.


Moses – a runaway called by God back to His people to lead them out of captivity and toward the promised land.


Rahab – a prostitute turned believer, and protector for God’s people.

Hannah – a mother who gladly gives back to God the child her heart desperately desires.


David – a boy called from the sheep field to shepherd and lead God’s people
Isaiah – a prophet who sees God, and is joyfully sent to proclaim

John the Baptist – set apart from before birth to make straight the path to Christ


Mary – a teenage girl who’s response was ‘let it be done to me as you have said.’

Joseph – a man whose plan for a quiet life was interrupted to become the adopted earthly Father of Jesus
Zacheus – a tax collector and crook, in repentance became generous

A woman at a well – completely seen, completely known, completely accepted, completely loved

The sick, the lame, the demon-posed, the blind, the cast-offs, the least of these, the little children, the poor, the sinners – all finding their wholeness when God meets them.


Saul turned Paul – a murderer of Christians, and the instrument of God to take the Gospel to the gentiles.

Let’s plan and prepare. Let’s give our people words and songs that reveal the heart and character of God. Let’s be expectant that God will move and reveal Himself, and that everything will change.

26 June: Liturgy + Set List

• BEFORE THE THRONE

  Call to Worship: Psalm 73:25-26, 28

  Every one of us moves through our lives seeking strength, security, and refuge. Whether that is in ourselves, or in something or someone outside of ourselves. Part of what we do when we gather with the people of God is to confess and profess that everything and everyone - including us - will fail. But God will never, can never, and has never failed. So we can join our hearts with the Psalmist saying, who do we have in heaven beside you? God, we desire to desire you more than all things. Let’s let these songs not just shape our time together this morning, but our lives lived in response to our God who cannot fail.

• GRAVES INTO GARDENS

• HIS MERCY IS MORE

  Sermon: James 4:1-12

  It is the kindness of God that He reveals our sins to us. When we cover our sin, God exposes our sin. When we uncover our sin, God covers us in Christ’s completed work on our behalf. And it is God’s kindness that He reveals Himself to us as the One who satisfies the desire of every longing heart. Maybe you need to use this time to sit and continue to reflect, remember, and repent. Maybe you need to sit quietly and allow these words to wash over you. Maybe you need to stand and celebrate the One who satisfies your soul. But let’s continue to respond together.

• I SHALL NOT WANT

• I STAND AMAZED (HOW MARVELOUS)

  Benediction

Romans 12

After years of reading definitions of worship by others, I have settled on a definition that has stolen the best parts of the definitions of others:

Worship is the right response, of our whole lives to God’s revelation of Himself.

Now, I say this is a definition stolen from lots of definitions, but in reality, we have all stolen our definition of worship from the Apostle Paul:

“Therefore, brothers and sisters, in view of the mercies of God, I urge you to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God; this is your true worship.” (Romans 12:1, CSB)

Romans 12:1 shows us the rhythm of worship: God reveals, we respond.

Real worship, true worship, right worship always and only begins when God reveals Himself - when God acts first. Romans 12:1 is no different, showing us the rhythm of revelation and response. In this passage, God has revealed Himself as merciful. Certainly, we see this throughout the previous 11 chapters of Romans, but we also see this throughout the entirety of Scripture. In fact, when Moses asks to see God’s face, God allows His glory to pass before Moses (because no one can see His face and live), and God reveals something about Himself at that moment:

‘The LORD, the LORD, a God merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness, keeping steadfast love for thousands, forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin, but who will by no means clear the guilty, visiting the iniquity of the fathers on the children and the children’s children, to the third and fourth generation.’ (Exodus 36:6-7).

The second rhythm of worship we see in this passage is our response. The offering of our bodies as a living sacrifice. Not just our time or talent, but our very lives. This is not worship relegated to a Sunday service or a mid-week bible study, but an all-encompassing response to God that is evidenced by loving the

‘Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind, and your neighbor as yourself.’ (Luke 10:27)

For those of us who lead corporate sung worship, we have a responsibility to help people see that our songs of response are only that - a song of response. True worship is the right response of our how lives to God’s revelation of Himself, and there is no corner of our lives that God is not displaying some aspect of His heart, and character. Let’s be worship leaders who help people lead lives of worship, not just worship leaders who help lead songs of worship.

January 19: Tuesday Refocus

‘Then they believed His words; they sang His praise.’ - Psalm 106:12

We are people always responding.  We engage, interact, entertain, ignore, and are transformed by what we see and experience all around us.  If we cannot help but respond to the created world, how much more are we compelled to respond to the Creator who has revealed Himself?  Matt Redman often says ‘Seeing is singing.’  When we believe His word, our hearts cannot stay silent:

He is the Bread of Life - satisfying our deepest hunger, forever (Jn 6:35)

He is the Light of the World - illuminating the narrow road (Jn 8:1, Matt 7:14)

He is the Door - through whom we have access to the Father (Jn 10:9)

He is the Good Shepherd - He lays down His life to rescue His wayward sheep (Jn 10:11)

He is the Resurrection and the Life - He has died, but is alive forevermore holding the keys of death and hell (Jn 11:25, Rev 1:18)

He is the Way, the Truth and the Life - everything we seek is found in and through Him (Jn 14:6)

He is the True Vine - abiding perfectly in the life and love of the Father, inviting us to abide in Him (Jn 15:4-11)

He is the One who emptied Himself, took on flesh, became sin, offered Himself as the Perfect Sacrifice, died the death we deserved, is raised and is seated at the right hand of the Father interceding on our behalf (Phil 2:7-8, 2 Cor 5:21, Heb 10:10, Rom 4:25, Acts 13:30, Mark 16:19, Rom 8:34)

And He can always be trusted because His word always proves true (Proverbs 30:5).  Believe and respond.

Lord, give us a greater glimpse of the reality of Who You are, and what You have done.  May we believe and respond with lives of continual worship.  We love you, amen.

Seeing and responding,

AB