We’ve got a problem, everybody.

Maybe you haven’t noticed it yet. I didn’t for a long

At this point, I know what my detractors are thinking, and I want to cut them off at the pass. Emotions aren’t bad, of course. They aren’t bad in general, and they aren’t bad in worship, either. But following unchecked, unbridled emotion is a horrible idea in any case. It will always lead to serious mistakes, and possibly devastating consequences.

No, emotions aren’t bad, but they always need to be ruled by clear, contextual thinking. When it comes to worship, this requires disciplined participation in beautiful, rigorous, biblical liturgy. That’s where we’re taught how to give, how to be the body, how to serve.

Obviously, the commercial Christian worship movement has destroyed this concept, with its jesusy rock concerts. But the false dichotomy pop worship has put into place – the preferentially-based worship formats – has made it a problem on the so-called “traditional worship” side, too. Far too often, when people opt for “traditional,” they don’t opt to submit themselves to historical liturgy, but a “get-all-your-blue-haired-friends-together-and-sing-the-good-old-songs” all-request hour.

It sucks. It’s a complete farce. But, really, we don’t need to wonder why it’s happened, church. We gave it to them. We told them they could have worship their way. So, assuming they ever felt differently, we’ve given them the notion about worship being a discipline, the central act, the Eucharistic feast.

Christ offers us everything in worship, for he offers us himself.

But as usual, we think we can do better.

We’d rather sing

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