A comment on a previous post the other day prompted me try and tackle this subject (as if I have all the answers). I’ve wrestled with this question on a number of occasions to almost always find myself right back where I started.

It is both.

Why do i feel that way and how can I support that with scripture? Well…that is what I hope to do over the next few posts. But I’ll start with this. God is the author of all things and anything that can be used to enhance a worship experience should not be overruled just because it is most often associated with rock concerts, leotards, theatrical productions or anythign else outside of the church. In addition, no one should believe any amount of any material thing is necessary to worship God at any moment. There is no one way to worship, but there is, however, only one thing that should be worshipped. And if you are a part of any church or service that consistently creates an environment that distracts you from focusing on God and God alone, you need to reevaluate why you are there.

Distractions are the worship killer. Some people don’t like a rock concert-like setting with lights, smoke, and loud music. I personally don’t like being forced to listen to a bad choir, out of tune string section, or songs that were written for a generation i can’t even trace ancestory back to. Now, I’m not saying either way is right but I am saying any kind of distraction can keep you from truly worshipping God as we are called to in John 4:23-24. Yes, I understand, I (and everyone else) should be able to block out those distractions. But serisouly, out of tune strings…yikes.