What moves us to worship?

I taught Sunday school today based on the the scripture of Revelation 4. I wasn't thrilled when I first heard that the Sunday school curriculum for the next several weeks would be coming from Revelation -- I certainly don't feel equipped to teach from Revelation.

Chapter 4 of this book is the descirption of a vision John has of worship. It lead the author of the curriculum to write a lesson based on worship. As I was reading it, and wondering how to approach the lesson, I was impressed with the idea that the vision of worship in Revelation is of a "congregation" that is very diverse.

What is our response to diversity in our congregations?

At first look (and at many other looks) our congregation is no very diverse. But as one examines it, diversity in age, diversity in talent, and diversity in economic status make themselves known.

If we believe that God is worthy of worship, and we believe that that means that we work in obedience to him, then what is our response to diversity in worship?

I think that it means that we love God and that we love each other. I think that that means that we place the needs of another person ahead of our own.

So when the youth are moved to worship by music which does not appeal to us, we still support the effort, because the youth are placed in our minds ahead of us. By supporting the youth in our worship, we are showing them that we love them. Notice the picture above. It's from a beautiful sanctaury, but notice where the organ is located. The organ has been built above the cross. We should not let our comfort in a particular type of music override our ability to love others -- over our ability to be Christ-like.

Image: Altar area at First UMC, Ashland.