Author: Bryan Gibson

Weekly Bulletin
August 12, 2018

What’s Happened to Worship?
by Bryan Gibson
Worship in many churches has become more man-centered than God-centered, more geared to pleasing the audience than pleasing God, more about the worshippers than the One being worshipped. Here is just some of the evidence.
More and more the demand is for preachers who can WOW an audience. You know, the ones who alternate between a wide grin and a pained expression, the ones who speak softly to draw the audience in, and then shout to drive their point home. Throw in a few dramatic pauses and you’ve got the audience on the edge of their seat. Genuine eloquence has its place (Acts 18:24), but not at the expense of building faith in God and in His word (1 Corinthians 2:1-5; 2 Corinthians 4:5). The last thing we want from them is to preach anything hard, lest they drive some people away (although Jesus certainly did that on occasion—John 6:60-66). And they’ve got to make it “relevant,” too, because some might find portions of the Bible a little “dry.” In the end, their preaching sounds more like a seminar than it does a gospel sermon. They’re not likely to make any true disciples (John 8:31-32), but they sure can attract spectators.
Many have “advanced” way beyond the simple singing of New Testament times (Ephesians 5:19; Colossians 3:16). It started with pianos and organs, but those are considered rather bland today. “Contemporary” services often feature a full array of musical instruments, and the musical selection may include some rap, or perhaps some “Christian rock.” Some churches even hold auditions to make sure they get the best musical talent available. In other words, weekly worship services have turned into weekly talent shows. Those who still sing without instruments (rightly so) are not immune, either. Many of these churches have abandoned the deeper, richer hymns for the “campy songs.” It almost makes you feel like you’ve been to a pep rally instead of a worship service. Worshippers may leave without much thoughtful reflection, but they sure had a good time.
The fact that worship is primarily an exercise of the heart (John 4:21-24) is all but forgotten. Thoughtful meditation is no longer the emphasis; we’ve got to get everyone participating—in a physical way. In the minds of many, it’s not worship unless we can get everyone waving their arms, clapping their hands, chanting in unison, etc. Allow me this personal observation. I’ve been involved in worship services before where the only times I expressed myself physically was when I put money in the collection plate, ate the Lord’s supper, and joined with brethren in singing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs to the Lord. But I still participated in everything that was done, from start to finish—with my heart. Hearts engaged with reverence and gratitude to God—that’s exactly where the emphasis needs to be.
May God help us to restore, not just the forms of New Testament worship, but also its very nature.
Different Conclusions From The Same Truth?
by Sewell Hall
Either the Bible is God’s word or it is not. If it is only the word of fallible men, then it should not be surprising that that individuals reading it might come to different conclusions. But if it is God’s word, and God is always true, then His word is truth. This Jesus affirmed in His prayer of John 17: “Thy word is truth.” Anyone who disagrees with this inspired truth turns to fables, not to some other truth (2 Timothy 4:4).
If God’s word is truth, it does not contradict itself. There is only one message in it—“one faith” (Ephesians 4:5). God did not intend for us to draw different conclusions from it. His desire is expressed in 1 Corinthians 1:10, “that you all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment.” If we reach different conclusions, it is either that God could not give us a book that we could agree upon, or the problem is with us in our study of it. I prefer to place the blame on us, rather than on God.
If two of us reach opposite conclusions, one of us is wrong. If each of us quotes Scripture to support his position, one of us is twisting the Scripture. The Scriptures do not teach opposite “truths” on this subject. If fact, the word truth is never plural in the Scriptures…”

Contact Information
	P.O. Box 680872 / Prattville, AL 36067
	(334) 365-5887 / (334) 868-0801
	prattmont@gmail.com / prattmontchurchofchrist.org

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The Prattmont Church of Christ is just what the name suggests, a church that belongs to Christ. We are not a denomination; we are simply a group of Christians trying very hard to practice the teachings of our Head, Jesus Christ. The New Testament offers a complete pattern for what each local church should be like—its organization, its worship, its work, etc. We are committed to following that pattern. We cordially invite you to attend our services. We would also welcome any comments or questions about this bulletin.

TIMES OF SERVICES:
Sunday
Bible Study 9:00 A.M.
Worship 10:00 A.M.
Training Class 5:00 P.M.
Worship 6:00 P.M.
Wednesday:
Bible Study 7:00 P.M.