Guarding Our Worship
By Dr Brian Bailey
As I have traveled the continents of this world this past year, touching down in Asia, Latin America and Europe to minister in diverse church conventions, I have become increasingly aware that the central theme is worship. A sharp division is apparent between those that embrace the so-called contemporary music, and those who seek to worship in spirit and in truth.
An enigma arises so often in churches and countries, and let me explain it thusly; perhaps it was strikingly apparent at a national convention held to celebrate Pentecost Sunday in a European country. Although not the scheduled speaker, I had nonetheless been invited to bring a meaningful word. Upon arrival at the large convention centre, I was escorted by a senior pastor to the foot of the podium to meet the chairman. After having done so, I was amazed then to be escorted back to a large side about halfway from the platform where all the other anointed pastors were sitting. To my obvious show of surprise, I was informed by my guide that it was because of the music. All the pastors were well distancing themselves from the band on the platform. In other words, they were so indicating that their anointing and the so-called worship from the band were incompatible. They were in profound disagreement with the music. In between them and the platform there was a noisy, down-dressed group who evidently identified with the band.
Now my question is this: If the anointed ministers were in opposition to the music, which they obviously knew was not godly, why did they permit it? Was this an isolated case? Certainly not.
In that same country, I was ministering with the so-called celebrity singer in Europe at that time. After his performance, I spoke and then he played for the congregation. I was ushered out by the pastor who again said, “Oh, the music.”
In various ways the anointed pastors in many countries disapprove of the music, their spirit witnessing to the fact the anointing and the music are incompatible. Why have those pastors abdicated their responsibilities?
Here at Zion and in our churches, we treasure worship in spirit and in truth that, like the time of Elisha when the minstrel played, the word of the Lord comes forth (2 Kings 3:15). To quote an old Pentecostal adage, we like to be “under the spout where the glory comes out.” We, the pastors in Zion, must pay attention to worship so that it honours the Lord, and may it ever be in spirit and in truth.
God Bless. Love as Ever,
Copyright © 2004 Cornerstone Community Church : : Singapore
