What's The Purpose?

(Author unknown)

An Old Farmer went to the city one weekend and attended the big city church. He came home, and his wife asked him how it was.

“Well,” said the farmer, “It was good. They did something different, however. They sang praise choruses instead of hymns.”

“Praise choruses?” Said his wife. “What are those?”

“Oh they’re okay. They’re sort of like hymns, only different,” said the farmer.

“Well, what’s the difference?” asked his wife.

The farmer said, “Well it’s like this. If I were to say to you: ‘Martha, the cows are in the corn,’ well that would be a hymn. If, on the other hand, I were to say to you:

Martha, Martha, Martha, oh, Martha, MARTHA, MARTHA,

the cows, the big cows, the brown cows, the black cows,

the white cows, the black and white cows,

the COWS, COWS, COWS are in the corn,

are in the corn, are in the corn, are in the corn,

the CORN, CORN, CORN.

“If I did that; then repeated the whole thing two or three times, well, that would be a praise chorus.”

(And now for the other side of the story)

A young, new Christian visited relatives one weekend and attended their small-town church. He came home, and his wife asked him how it was.

“Well,” said the young man, “it was good. They did something different, however. They sang hymns instead of regular songs.”

“Hymns?” said his wife. “What are those?”

“Oh, they’re okay. They’re sort of like regular songs, only different,” said the young man.

“Well, what’s the difference?” Asked his wife.

The young man said, “Well, it’s like this. If I were to say to you, ‘Martha, the cows are in the corn,’ well, that would be a regular song. If, on the other hand, I were to say to you:

O Martha, dear Martha, hear thou my cry;

Inclinest thine ear to the words of my mouth;

Turn thou thy whole wondrous ear by and by

To the righteous, inimitable, glorious, truth.

For the way of the animals who can explain;

There in their heads is no shadow of sense.

Hearkenest they in God’s sun or His rain,

Unless from mild, tempting corn they are

Fenced.

Yea, those cows in glad bovine, rebellious delight,

Have broke free their shackles, their warm pens

Eschewed.

Then goaded by minions of darkness and night,

They all my mild Chilliwack sweet corn have chewed.

So look to that bright shining day by and by,

Where all foul corruptions of earth are reborn,

Where no vicious animal makes my soul cry

And I no longer see those foul cows in the corn.

“Then, if I were to do only verses one, three, and four and do a key change on the last verse, well that would be a hymn.”

We laugh at this great analogy of how hymns or contemporary songs can be viewed based on cultural influences. But instead of giving a lesson on how culture changes our perception, I would like to talk about how particulars can distract us from our main purpose. I used the illustration from worship music, and for the sake of argument I will continue with the worship trend but like any proverb its moral is universally applied.

The styles of worship music have been widely debated but the problem is not with the style, archaism, or repetition of music. Those are specifics. The problem is defining what the purpose of worship is. When we reflect on the purpose it will reveal more truth. But sadly we many times just assume the purpose without carefully analyzing it.

For example, here are two false purposes attributed to worship music: One, music has been viewed as mostly secular and two, worship has been viewed as mostly religious. Both are common misconceptions that are not true but because no one addresses the purpose they become commonly accepted.

Music is not mostly secular. In actuality, there is no sacred secular divide with music. By this I mean music is neither sinful nor holy. Truth, it is what you make it. Music can be used as one of many tools to amplify the worshipful experience or it can be used to prolong an emotional fantasy. The music will reflect what you want to make it and amplify that desire. This is why it is more important to understand what worship is because music will only embellish your preconceived idea.

Worship is not just for the religious but worship is a predetermined fate. Everyone worships because everyone chooses. The lifestyle you choose determines what you worship. Everything that chooses immediately has the obligation to worship something. Even in the crazy form of deciding not to worship, you still choose, therefore you worship still. Your form of worship is simply pleasing yourself because you see your decision as the highest form of choice and therefore you obey your impulses. This is an abstract concept that many don't understand. But until we understand our purpose as worshipers, we will always debate about the particulars of worship songs.

Your purpose for worship is simple. It is experiencing God or the work of his hands and responding.

If you aren't experiencing God or you don't have an idea of what to worship God for, then how can you worship someone you don't know, experience, or even enjoy? Many people don't enjoy God. I love John Crowder's quote from his book, The Esctasy of Loving God. He says, "The thing from which you derive the most pleasure is the very thing you worship." I know many Christians who don't find pleasure in God. This makes me wonder if they are experiencing the same God I am because my God gives me enjoyment and fulfillment. I can worship Jesus and I can do it for hours, days on end. It's my life. My God gives me purpose.

In conclusion, I challenge you to let go of the nitpicking and go to the root or purpose of your given situation. Hopefully you will find the Creator and the work of His hands and worship Him.

Short story from:

Kraeuter, Tom. Guiding Your Church Through a Worship Transition: A Practical Handbook for Worship Renewal. Lynnwood, WA: Emerald Books, 2003. (pages 163-165 Guiding your church through a worship transition by Tom Kraeuter)