Excerpt from Beyond the Shadows
by T. C. Smith

In 1998 the Barna Research Group polled a cross-section of American Christians concerning their opinions of worship. When asked what worship meant, two out of three said that they did not know, or they offered responses such as "attend church," "being a church," or "believing God exists." Only a fourth said that worship was for the sake of honoring God. Some believed worship was all about a busy round of activities.

The researchers also discovered that some persons evaluate worship on the basis of a large attendance and great enthusiasm. To others, the purpose of worship is to please people. They especially noted the desire for performance-oriented music and entertaining preaching. The report cited that the first criterion of worship should be how many people experience God. Worship experience is more important in Christian development than just a large attendance in the church.

True religion has always been in conflict with a false religion. The religion of reality has always been in opposition to a religion that relies on profession and outward form. What is true of religion in general has also been equally true for Judeo-Christian faith in particular. Jews and Christians of the past and present continue to worship God in the shadows.

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