Why open worship?
In the Brethren church I’m from, a segment of the service is called open worship. During this time, members of the congregation, as led by the Holy Spirit, can share a testimony, a passage of Scripture, pray or choose a song to sing. This, I think, stems from the biblical emphasis on the priesthood of all believers.
Perhaps because of a lack of awareness of the purpose and its biblical roots, and also out of shyness and reticence, the tradition of open worship seems to be languishing. More subtly though, I believe another cause is the rise of individualisation in modern culture. This is diametrically different from the Jewish culture of community against which the bible’s teaching about the church is taught.
I’m guilty of all the above! Often hesitating to go up to speak openly, out of fear and indecisiveness, I sometimes wonder if I would be encouraging or coherent at all. And the short segment is over before I know it.
This blog is for posting all those testimonies that courage might fail me to share, because I deeply desire to praise God’s name, his goodness and his glory. For if I should keep silent, even the stones will cry out! Hopefully over time I will be more than ready to do so in my church to edify and encourage with love.
1. hello world! « only by grace | July 6, 2009 at 11:22 am
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Ivan | October 1, 2009 at 10:00 pm
I would like to initially express my utmost thanks and gratitude to you and Graham who though i have never met face to face, have encouraged me countless times in my walk with God.
Firstly, i attended a church in Malaysia throughout the most of my whole life. In the darkest times of my life, where i have sin in the most hypocritic ways, i was blessed to come apon graham choo website. After that, he encouraged me to learn the guitar and the same time, to be amazed by both your good walk with the lord.
I met many other people who soon after became my mentors in the faith. It came to a point where i testified to the entire youth of my sins and the overwhelming feeling of love i felt from Jesus. I felt forgiven and my life have been different since then.
Worship is an action that is pleasing in the sight of god. I pray that my testimony can encourage you as you guys have encouraged me. Finally, I pray for greater blessing in your upcoming marriage.
(2 corinthians 1:3-4)
Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Chirst, the father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God.
3. want to see the glory of God? « only by grace | November 16, 2009 at 1:52 am
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