Proof That Worship is Counter Cultural

America is known for it's opulence. For it's buffet-style choices in everything that we do. Cars, houses, clothes, movies, glasses frames, restaurants... you name it, we've got it with a ton of different customizations.

We also, no doubt, have dozens, if not hundreds, of choices of churches within reasonable driving distance from our homes. And, in that initial choice, we have a grand luxury. We can choose the EXACT church we want to attend.

However, that is where our freedom of "buffet-style" church stops, in many cases. Once we join a particular church, prepare for years of a mono-stylistic approach to worship. Some churches do have choices on Sunday morning - traditional or contemporary - and some even offer "blended". But, let's be honest, few church goers change their Sunday schedule each week to experience different styles, and, furthermore, "blended" usually ends up being a less of a true blend and more of an average between the two "mainstream" styles.

So, exceptions noted, my point is that I think it is interesting that in a culture that craves choices and (as the Barna Institute points out) 2 out of 3 adults (not just Christians) in America are considered "casual Christians", we, as American Christians, seem to get very protective about the style of music and flow of service in our worship times. [Casual Christians are minimally active Christians or moderately active, but theologically nominal Christians.]

I'm not making a judgement call on this - let me be clear about that. I just think that it is interesting that inside the church walls, we crave consistency and regularity, but, outside those walls, I hear people say things like, "No, let's not eat Mexican tonight, I had that for lunch yesterday."

My prayer is just that in the mono-stylistic mode in which churches ultimately find themselves, they are truly creating an atmosphere that allows their congregation to (1) express worship to God in ways that allow individuals to connect their life to their worship, and (2) worship God above all else - most of all, worship God more than we worship our own preferences.