PUTTING AN END TO WORSHIP WARS - Elmer Towns

CHAPTER EIGHT
THE BODY LIFE CHURCH
It is almost seven-thirty Thursday evening and six families have already arrived at the
grey brick home at the corner of Elm Street and Maple Avenue. Nine children have gathered
around the television in the basement recreation room to watch a Disney video. Upstairs, their
parents have begun talking informally in the living room. As another couple arrives, one group
member asks the others to share the "high" and "low" of the previous week. One by one, group
members share recent events and news that brought them great joy or sorrow.
As the sharing concludes about fifteen minutes later, another group member reaches for
his guitar as his wife suggests they sing a familiar chorus. During the next ten minutes, the group
sings several praise choruses. Most group members know the choruses well. Those who don't,
quickly catch on to the repetitive words and simple melody. A few group members raise their
hands as they worship in song. Others close their eyes and sing meditatively.
"Just before we begin tonight's Bible study," the group leader announces, "There are a
few things I need to share with you." He reminds group members the children's ministry during
Sunday morning worship could use a few workers. Also, next month their cell group is
responsible for the nursing home ministry in town. The group agrees to bring lunch and eat
together at the church on the appointed Sunday before going to the nursing home to visit. Three
people offer to get together and provide music for the meeting. The group leader asks another
group member if he will share a ten minute message with the seniors. Parents are encouraged to
bring their children with them because the seniors seem to enjoy visits from the children most.
"Let me share something I read earlier this week," the group leader continues. After
reading a short paragraph from a devotional book, the leader continues. "As I read this, I thought
about the chapter we are studying this week in our study guide." By now most of the group have
opened well-worn paperback study guides written by a popular Bible teacher. Looking around
the room, several books appear to have passages marked and highlighted.
For the next half hour or so, the conversation seems to flow well with each group member
taking part. Several share insights that struck them in their personal study during the past week.
Others share experience which seem to confirm the veracity of those insights. Occasionally,
someone raises a question. "That sure sounds good, but how are we going to do that when both
my husband and I have to work forty-hours a week to keep up with the mortgage?" Several
group members nod in agreement as a couple group members suggest strategies which appear to
be working for them.
Throughout the discussion, the group leader has not said much. On one occasion when
the group began wandering off course, he had introduced a new question to get them back to the
study guide. Now he looks at his watch and interrupts again. "This is a great discussion tonight,