PUTTING AN END TO WORSHIP WARS - Elmer Towns

CHAPTER SEVEN
THE RENEWAL CHURCH
Even though it is only ten minutes before the worship service starts, the worship center is
rapidly filling and several instrumentalists have already taken their place on the platform. Four
singers, two men and two ladies are moving toward the four microphone stands spread across the
platform. Eight quick strokes on the base drum are a prelude to the full band consisting of two
guitars, one keyboard, a trombone, baritone sax and flute breaking out in song. The singers move
closer to the microphones and begin a rhythmic clap. Soon the whole congregation is following
their lead. The words of a contemporary praise chorus appear projected on the wall as the singers
begin singing. Church is going to begin early this morning.
As the sound echoes throughout the worship center, enthusiasm is evident in the voices of
those singing loudly. Most are smiling broadly. Whatever cares and concerns they may have had
as they entered the building this morning have now been set aside. For the next forty-five
minutes, people are there to worship God.
The worship service seems to flow naturally from one song to another. There are no
hymn books in the building. Instead, the words of each song are projected on the wall as each
new song begins. Most are short choruses sung several times. Occasionally one of the members
of the praise team reads a verse from the Bible or leads in a brief prayer between songs. As the
service continues, the music is becoming slower and softer. At one point, all the instruments
cease playing as the praise team and congregation continue singing. Many sing with upraised
hands gently swaying to the rhythm of the song. At the invitation of the worship leader to
worship the Lord, many begin praying audibly where they are.
Most of the songs sung in this service have addressed the theme of God's holiness. A
female vocalist now moves to a microphone and begins singing softly one of the older hymns of
the faith. "Holy, Holy, Holy, Lord God Almighty . . ." Others in the praise team accompany her
about the third line of the hymn. By the end of the first verse, the worship band is playing softly.
Once again words appear on the wall. The congregation joins in, hands raised, many with eyes
closed, a few with tears resting on their cheeks.
As the worship time winds down, the pastor makes his way to a plexiglass pulpit. He
reminds the church he is in the midst of a teaching series on "Living in the Presence of God." He
begins by reading several verses from various parts of the Bible where people express their
understanding of God as a holy God. "If God is a holy God, he also calls us to be a holy people,"
the pastor explains. In the thirty-five minutes following, he shares seven steps to becoming a
holy Christian. Each principle is stated and drawn from a verse of Scripture. Several members