By the time you graduate from high school, statistics say you will have watched more than sixteen thousand hours of television. You will have spent fourteen thousand hours in an educational institution. And if you go to church for just two hours a week you will have spent under two thousand hours getting spiritual help.
After 23+ years of pastoral ministry and a life spent in the church I would say it is safe to bet that 80% of those that attend Sunday worship services are content to let that one hour a week (2 hours if you count attendance in a small group/Sunday School) account for their total faith development, or relationship with Christ. Okay so let's say I'm way off (if anything I'm low!), what if it's 50%? So 50% of the people come with totally different expectations/motivations. Let's call the Sunday-only folks Group A. And those who spend intentional time with God in addition to church services, small groups and ministry Group B.
Group A needs to be filled, picked up, entertained, and informed. Worship always "has" to be relevant and interesting for them. But Group B comes with a totally different set of expectations/motivation. For them, worship is the culmination of a week already spent with God. There hasn't been a 6-day lag in their time with God. Imagine not speaking to your spouse for 6 days? Okay, so maybe that's not a good metaphor for some, ha. You get the point.
When Group B comes to church they have already spent the rest of the week with God so they are worshipping before they even arrive for corporate worship. The corporate experience comes at the peak of their daily relationship with Christ. Worship is always relevant and interesting for them because even if the worship leaders are off, or have a bad day, they are able to worship because their spiritual development and worship expectations aren't dependent upon anyone else. For example, let's say a musician or vocalist is off on a particular song. Their worship won't be derailed, less than desirable, or flat because of one person. They don't "need" the praise band, or worship slides to be perfect in order to have meaningful worship because the foundation of their worship isn't rooted in an event, experience or feeling. It is built on a relationship forged through quiet time of devotions, prayer and praise that takes place the other six days of the week. God's word is going to speak to them regardless of human leadership because they are already listening to Him. The Holy Spirit doesn't have to provide a highly emotional experience for them because He has already been at work in their life during the week. I didn't say their worship is without emotion!
Now you are a pastor, worship leader, elder or deacon. Which group would you rather lead in worship, teach and serve? It's a no-brainer. What coach wants to lead players that never practice? Group A unknowingly puts enormous pressure on worship leaders to perform, or provide a manufactured weekly high. It takes the emphasis off God and puts the responsibility upon flawed and fallible humans. This group nourishes/feeds the all too dangerous and ever tempting monster of pride that can make human leaders think they are bigger than they are. You are never "good" enough for this group. You can't be. And it's because they are looking to humans to provide for them what can only be provided by God through Christ in an intimate relationship that involves Mondays as well as Sundays.
The Group A make up in every church changes a lot because they tend to hop from one church to another. When your spiritual maturity/nourishment relies solely on a weekly worship service, or experience at some point you are going to be disappointed and you will have to find another, better and bigger show, ur uh worship service to meet "your" needs. However, worship isn't about meeting our needs. It's about God's glory. The focus is on God not my needs. Think Psalm 37:4! Focus on God and He will change your perspective. This hard for the members of Group A who grew up in Baptist, Catholic, or denominational churches that intentionally/unintentionally place a lot of emphasis on spiritual activity, programs and attendance at church functions, or events instead of their relationship with Christ. Even though it's not the agenda what happens is that people often make the assumption that being a "good" Baptist, Methodist, or Catholic, etc., (in their attendance and activity) is what makes you a devoted Christ-follower. A devoted Christ-follower is what makes a good Baptist, Methodist, etc., not the other way around.
Group B challenges those of us in ministry and helps us grow more than we help them. Their spiritual depth challenges you, to study more and prepare deeper. You dig deeper because they do. They inspire, encourage and nurture leaders without even knowing it. They come with sleeves rolled up. You know they aren't going to be impressed with "smoke and mirrors," or anything but the leadership of the Holy Spirit. Their worship experience and fulfillment isn't dependent upon the leaders, it's dependent upon their offering of worship to God. There's another important role Group B plays in the life and witness of the local church.
When you have a strong Group B you are able to reach people in Group C. Group C are the people who are not Christ-followers. They can be attenders, seekers, or people who do not attend church. They are the people we are called to reach. How will you effectively reach them if your church is filled with more people of Group A than Group B? If Group A reaches them they will grow up thinking that attendance, ritual and spiritual activity constitutes a biblical relationship with God through Christ. But it won't. It may grow churches, but they will have no depth. We are called to grow souls and we have to pay attention to our personal soul growth before we can ever help someone else with theirs.
Group A is easier to be sure. Group B is harder and requires a lot more work. But the rewards are far apart. We get what we aim for. Which one are you aiming for?
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