We worship our Creator and Redeemer who so loved us that He gave Himself a ransom for us to set us free from the dominion of darkness! (Cf. John 3:16; Mark 10:45; Colossians 1:13.) As such we become more and more full of grace and self-giving love.

(Humans must worship wisely because we inevitably grow to become more like the person or thing to which we attribute ultimate worth. If, for instance and to use extreme examples, one worships animals one tends to become like them in spirit; if one worships demons one is influenced to become like them; if one attributes ultimate worth to material possessions one becomes a materialist. Some humanists suggest we worship ourselves or our potential but we can never become more ourselves then when we worship the One who made us and is redeeming us to be restored to the fullness of His purpose in creating us in the image of God.)

Worship of the True and Living God who saves us in Christ can be expressed in many ways. The Christian community has moved generally in three broad streams, all of which are rich, deep and wonderful expressions in both corporate and personal worship:

• Liturgical: in this stream, songs and prayers are prepared in advance and we can become so familiar with the pattern that we are led by the worship leaders as the words and truths of God's character are drawn into us without great effort on our part. The traditional denominations largely follow this approach.

• Contemplative: in this stream, we are largely still and wait for the Lord to speak or members of the gathering to share those things they believe the Lord has given them to contribute in worship. This stream draws it's inspiration from the description shared by Paul in 1 Corinthians 14, particularly vs. 26-33. Some brethren and house-church movements tend towards this approach.

• Ecstatic: in this stream, worship tends to be louder and more spontaneous and expressive as we "lose ourselves" in the Glory of God. Many Pentecostal movements follow this approach.

Many worshipping communities share elements of each of the above streams in varying proportions. Whether you find deeper engagement in the Lord through one expression or another may be related to the way God created you - i.e. your personality type. I encourage you to experiment and draw benefit from each stream and approach as you learn to worship transformatively and engage in the Glory and Grace of God!

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While music is only one aspect of worship, it is powerful and I've organized a very few of my favorite songs, hymns and prayers as they contribute most directly to a specific focus of worship:

• our deep awareness of personal need,

• our all in all, the Lord Jesus Christ,

• God revealed in creation

For an aid in preparing to lead corporate worship in a pattern inspired by the Tabernacle or "meeting place" of God with His people, please click here.