Here's another rare guest post in which I know the guest poster on a personal basis. Craig and I were in college together, and spent nearly an entire year traveling cross-country together in a quartet.

Craig and I recently reconnected after a decade-and-a-half through the wonder that is internet social media. I've enjoyed getting back in touch with him, and reading about his experiences over the years.

I'd encourage you to check out his blog. You'll find a link at the end of the post.

Craig McDole: What Worship Means to Me

When I was asked by Jeff about the possibility of writing a Worship Wednesday post a couple weeks back, I wasn’t sure exactly which direction to take. I, like Jeff, grew up in a church setting that was ultra-conservative, with nothing done out of the ordinary—the “way it’s always been done”.

I talked a bit about that thinking in a recent post, but don’t want to stay in that mode. Over the years, I have broadened my horizons, so to speak. Being a child of the 80’s, you would think that would come easy, but old dogs can be hard to train new tricks.

Worship is an all-encompassing word that means so much more than my finite words and thoughts can express. It refers to our giving, expressions, praise and deeds. I find that when I try to box in what my worship to God is, I hinder the Spirit’s working through me.

From my upbringing, I found that any expressions of clapping, raising hands, or other “distracting” things were frowned upon. Who do we think we are to hold back someone else from worshiping their own way? Now, granted I may not have the rhythm to lead worship, clap, do motions, etc. at the same time—I know that surprises many of you—but if I felt led to, I would.

Looking in John 4:23, we see that we are to worship in spirit and in truth. Some of us may want to raise our hands in worship, some may feel comfortable standing still, while others may move bit (okay, dance). My biggest thing with our actions in worship is being real. Not just going through the motions to be seen.

Matthew 6:5 talks about those that pray and worship in public to be seen. They have their reward. And, it is by being looked at by others. God honors true worship…genuine worship.

Don’t even get me started on instruments…

To sum it all up, worship is our giving back to the Lord of what we have been given. Some may be in singing, reading scriptures or poems, sending cards, drawing sketches or paintings…my biggest problem is that we put boundaries up to make us comfortable, which can actually hinder other's abilities to worship.

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Craig is Minister of Music and Education at Emmanuel Baptist Church in Altus, OK. He is currently working on completion of his Bachelor of Science degree in Religion through Liberty University. His duties include oversight of Sunday School, leading Adult and Children’s Choir, VBS Director, and visitation coordinating.

He has been in the ministry at Emmanuel for the past 4 ½ years, with the past 2 ½ being full-time. Craig has been married to his wife Lindsey for 5 ½ years and has two children (Tyler and Trinity). You can find more writings by him at his personal blog Doorkeeper's Journal.

Jeff M. Miller \\ Consuming Worship
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