Any time two or more people simultaneously share a space (whether it be tied to shared geography or shared time), there are critical differences in perception; visible & hidden differences in:
1) The way the space is perceived
2) The way each person is perceived
3) The expectations each person holds for themselves and for others and for the space they share
4) The IQ, Emotional IQ, personality, upbringing, Christian testimony, etc. of the people
As you consider this list, you probably already have a fairly good temperature reading regarding your own likes or dislikes. You probably have good reasons for why you like, dislike, are indifferent towards considered things. You may not necessarily associate your likes, dislikes, or indifference to your unique blend of IQ, Emotional IQ, personality, upbringing, or Christian testimony. But these “hidden” aspects of “you” are most definitely playing a role in how you think & how you feel about your immediate environment, what you’re experiencing in your personal world, and, what you feel about and how you relate to God and others. You are an individual with an outward appearance, an inner personality, and innumerable expressed/unexpressed/repressed emotions and thoughts that constantly ricochet through your mind which is, at some level, always processing and thinking.
NOW:
If you’re a Christian, think “corporate worship at my church”.
If you’re a Christian and a member of a worship team, think “corporate worship at my church”.
If you’re a Christian, think “global/universal worship”.
Dependent upon the number of people reading this article and the roles they may or may not play in worship in their church, there were probably several different “temperature readings” that just registered.
The individual perceptions of : the service, the people involved or uninvolved in the service, the expectations each person holds for those attending or leading the service, and the unique blend of IQ, Emotional IQ, personality, spiritual maturity, Biblical understanding, etc. all play a role in creating your inner response to your church’s corporate worship.
To be continued…
Wanderings & Meanderings 