Corporate Worship and Why it Matters

“So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God” (1 Cor. 10:31). Giving glory to God, our worship, can and is to be done in every aspect of the Christian life. The application of doing all to the glory of God is both individual and corporate. When considering a corporate worship setting the apostle Paul states: “But all things should be done decently and in order” (1 Cor. 14:40). “Decently and in order” is more than a foundation, it is a driving force for corporate worship. Like the individual Christian life, corporate worship is meant to bring honor and glory to God in all its aspects. Corporate worship is of utmost importance. Corporate worship matters.

The Glory of God in Corporate Worship

The opportunity to honor and glorify God is available in every aspect of the Christian life. “So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God” (1 Cor. 10:31). Application of this verse concerns the individual believer and the church corporately. Specifically concerning corporate worship, the Apostle Paul states: “But all things should be done decently and in order” (1 Cor. 14:40). Both verses serve as a foundation and driving force for corporate worship. Worship is ascribing adoration to God, giving all honor and glory to the Lord. That which does not conform to these things must not be a part of the corporate worship setting.

A theology of corporate worship considers these verses and several others, and follows the example set in the book of Acts: “And they devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers” (Acts 2:42). Although the times and cultural settings are different, the idea remains the same. In corporate worship services, we too are to be devoted to the apostles’ teaching. No longer are those teachings authenticated by the “many wonders and signs” that “were being done through the apostles” (Acts 2:43). Instead, we have their writings, which are inspired by the Holy Spirit, being breathed out by God (2 Tim. 3:16). The apostles’ teachings, preserved in the New Testament canon, is the authenticated message to which we devote ourselves.

Worship is not limited to being devoted to the apostles’ teaching, but to the entirety of revealed Scripture. “For whatever was written in former days was written for our instruction, that through endurance and through the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope” (Rom. 15:4). The Apostle Paul is referring here to the Old Testament, which is the Word of God, written for His purposes at the time and for us today.

That which does not conform to “the glory of God” and “decently and in order” must not be a part of the corporate worship setting.

Another aspect of a theology of corporate worship, taken from Acts 2:42, is being devoted to fellowship. The word for fellowship used here is koinonia, which means unity, participation, sharing, or partnership, and refers to involvement in the lives of others. The implication is more than a gathering of like-minded people. Christians are to be devoted to this kind of fellowship.

The body is also to be devoted to the “breaking of bread.” In the context of Acts 2:42 the breaking of bread is referring to communion, although it could also be a gathering for a fellowship meal. Communion (also referred to as the Lord’s Table or Supper) is to be observed regularly and takes place according to 1 Corinthians 11:17-26. As prescribed, communion is done to remember the Lord’s death until He returns (1 Cor. 11:26). This function is vital to the church body as it is one of two ordinances of the New Testament church, the other being baptism.

Christians differ regarding personal preference in a corporate worship setting. However, it ought to be the desire of the church to place its focus on glorifying the Lord, and not on any personal preference. Our worship must be mindful of anything that might be misunderstood and therefore cause a believer to stumble, or an unbeliever to be distracted from the purpose of the service. “Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ, from whom the whole body, joined and held together by every joint with which it is equipped, when each part is working properly, makes the body grow so that it builds itself up in love” (Eph. 4:15-16). In this way, we seek to ensure that our corporate worship services are glorifying to God and are decent and in order. Colossians 3:16-17 states: “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs with thankfulness in your hearts to God. And whatever you do, in word or in deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.” As the purpose of corporate worship is to bring honor and glory to God, looking at each aspect of the worship service is essential to ensuring this happens.

Aspects of Corporate Worship

Corporate worship services have many aspects which can include a call to worship, announcements, worship through song, prayer, sermons, the public reading of Scripture, communion (on designated Sundays), baptisms (performed as needed), and giving. The desire is that the following guiding principles will maintain decent and orderly worship services that give glory to God. Although, from church to church these aspects may look different or come in a different order, they must be applied in a purposeful manner in guiding the congregation in God-honoring worship.

Call to Worship

A call to worship at the beginning of the worship service is designed to call attention to the purpose of the gathering. The church is set apart from the world. Therefore, when worshiping corporately, there is to be a recognition that we are worshipping the Lord. Psalm 29:2 says: “Ascribe to the LORD the glory due his name; worship the LORD in the splendor of his holiness.” The purpose of the call to worship is to orientate the mind as to the purpose of why the congregation has gathered: to worship God.

Announcements

The corporate worship service is the one time each week when the entire church gathers. Although other means of communication can be used to disseminate information, it is during these times where the most significant, or pressing, announcements can be made. Providing this information to the congregation is important. It reminds us that we are one body, united in Christ (1 Cor. 1:10), and announcements help to facilitate that unity. However, it should not be a distraction or used in any way that detracts from the purpose of the gathering.

Songs

God is glorified through music and singing to Him. When gathered, believers are to sing “psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in our hearts to the Lord” (Colossians 3:16b). The purpose of music is to worship God and is one of many ways in which we do so. Music is a means to worship God; it is not worship in and of itself. The Psalms provide musical and liturgical direction and Psalms 4 and 5 refer to musical instruments in their titles, for example. The purpose is to show that both the lyrics and the instruments have a purpose, and that purpose is to give glory to God. Songs ought to be chosen that are doctrinally sound and are not a distraction from the purpose of corporate worship.

Prayer

Prayer is an essential aspect of Christian life. Christians are called not only to pray, but to pray “without ceasing” (1 Thess. 5:17). Prayer is the means by which the believer in Christ communicates directly with God. Prayer is both individual (Matt. 6:6-8) and corporate (Acts 2:42), yet both are offered in faith (Jas. 1:6). Coming together and praying corporately is powerful. Psalm 34:3 states: “Oh, magnify the LORD with me, and let us exalt his name together.” Prayer brings people together before the Lord as we worship Him.

Sermon

It is the sermon in which the Word of God is communicated directly to the people. The Lord has equipped certain men with the ability to preach for the purpose of equipping believers to do the work of the ministry in order to build up the body of Christ (Eph. 4:11-12). 1 Timothy 4:13 says, “until I come, devote yourself to the public reading of Scripture, to exhortation, to teaching.” Jesus modeled this during the Sermon on the Mount (Matt. 5-7) as did the Apostle Peter at Pentecost (Acts 2:14-36). Scripture’s call is to “preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and exhort, with complete patience and teaching” (2 Tim. 3:2). The preaching of the Word of God provides understanding of its meaning, and therefore guides the congregation in their worship of God.

Scripture Reading

Scripture reading is an essential aspect of corporate worship (1 Tim. 4:13). It draws the attention of the listener to hear directly from the Word of God. Reading Scripture, corporately, places the priority on how we know what we know about God. Without Scripture we would have no knowledge of God, or that salvation is through faith in Christ alone in His atoning work on the cross, or how we are to live considering our salvation in Christ (2 Pet. 1:3). When a preacher preaches, he does not do so on his own authority, but the authority given to him by God and by the Holy Spirit (1 Thess. 1:5; 1 Cor. 2:4). Reading Scripture in a congregational worship setting is essential in placing the focus where it needs to be, on the Word of God, because that is how we know Him and how we worship Him correctly.

Ordinances

The church takes the ordinances, as prescribed in the Scriptures, seriously. As commanded in Scripture, both communion and baptism are observed in accordance with God’s Word. Communion is held regularly in accordance with 1 Corinthians 11:17-26. This ordinance is for believers who are not currently under church discipline or harboring unrepentant sin so that communion is taken in a worthy manner (1 Cor. 11:27). Baptism is an ordinance for those who have confessed faith in Christ (Matt. 28:16-20). Unlike communion, which is taken regularly, baptism is a one-time occurrence for a believer as a public profession of faith in Christ which identifies them with Christ and other Christians (Acts 2:37-38).

Offering

The Bible calls believers to give back some of what the Lord has generously given to them (Deut. 8:18; Prov. 3:9). As the Lord has provided for the believer, the believer can express thankfulness to God and their love to others through giving (1 John 3:17-18). Through giving the believer also supports the work of the local church so that it can continue Christ’s mission (Matt. 28:16-20; Rom. 12:13). Although principles are set forth in Scripture concerning individual offerings, it does not indicate a specific amount to be given (Deut. 15:10; 2 Cor. 9:6-7; Luke 3:10).

Conclusion

A theology of corporate worship serves as a guideline for the church and its many ministries so that they function in a way that honors and glorifies God. All that is done is to be done decently and in order so that the love God has for us is reflected back to Him and to others. Our theology drives our corporate worship. Corporate worship matters because, through our worship together, believers are devoted to the apostles’ teaching, fellowship, prayer, and the breaking of bread, all for the glory of God.