BY DAVID A. PENDLETON

Worship the Lord in the splendor of his holiness; tremble before him, all the earth. Say among the nations, "The Lord reigns." . . . Let the heavens rejoice, let the earth be glad; let the sea resound, and all that is in it; let the fields be jubilant, and everything in them. Then all the trees of the forest will sing for joy (Ps. 96:9-12, NIV).

IFFERENT PEOPLE IMAGINE DIFFERENT things when they hear the word worship.

Some think of a family gathered around the family heirloom Bible in the evening hours before retiring for the night. Others picture a gray-haired pastor illuminated by colored light streaming from stained-glass windows and standing behind a polished pulpit, poised to deliver a sermon. Still others imagine young jeans-clad thirtysomethings with guitars, leading out in songs with such words as "Our God is an awesome God" or "Shine, Jesus, shine."

However different these conceptions of worship, they are all worship.

So what is it that makes something worship? What are the essential ingredients of worship?

For one thing, from the moment one walks in the door of the church or gathers with others in the living room for a small group Bible study, it should be apparent that what is about to happen will be more than a program. "Program" all too often connotes the idea of a spectator sport, inviting mere observation. Worship, on the other hand, whether in an ornate sanctuary or humble home, should be anything but a spectator sport. It should be a participatory experience. The goal should be to involve all who are present. The target ought to be to engross all of the senses through light, color, sound, smell, and perhaps even taste--all of the ways in which God speaks to us and makes His presence known in our lives.

Worship--whether comprised of speech, visible acts, or numerous symbols--has been given to us in order that we may more easily lift up our hearts and minds to our heavenly Father and incline our beings to the contemplation of eternal matters.

Countless Christians believe that there is only one true way to worship, that there is a right way and a wrong way. Seventh-day Adventists know (or should know) that this is a mistake. With 13 million members spanning hundreds of countries around the world, we recognize that the Lord created us with our differences.

God relishes the vast variety of creation and is eager to accept our worship, whether with pipe organs and candles or tambourines and drums; whether in formal settings with coats and ties and King James English responsive readings, or in informal settings with contemporary drama and aloha shirts. Everything offered up to God in a spirit of genuine worship, authentic praise, and sincere thanksgiving is received with divine favor. The worship of a sincere believer is music to God's ears.

The Essential Elements
What matters most is that the worship experience lift us up--even if only occasionally and for a passing moment--from this world into the next. What matters is that from the opening song to the benediction, from hymn singing to sermon or brief devotional, all eyes are on the awesome God from whom we came, to whom we belong, and in whose presence we long to be.

Worship is about God, not us. What matters is that from the commencement to the conclusion our hearts are ushered into the very presence of God. We know that where two or three are gathered in His name, there God is. We know that even when we see but a single pair of footprints in the sand, God is there--in fact, that is when God carries us in His arms. We know all that. Yet sometimes we fail to perceive His presence. When that happens, the problem is not with God, but with us.

The Lord who promised never to leave us nor forsake us keeps His promises. When we pray to the one named Immanuel, born of a virgin, we pray not to a distant God far removed from the environs of humanity, but to "God with us" (Matt. 1:23). Worship, then, enables us more intensely to appreciate the reality that God is here, that He is not absent. Worship does not change God. It changes us.

Worship is a very human act--perhaps the most human act there is. Other species in the animal kingdom have language, utilize tools, build communities, and defend themselves against rival species. That humans do these things too does not distinguish us from the rest of creation. But worship! There's something uniquely human. The act of worship springs forth eternally from what's known as the imago Dei, the image of God in us. Scientists have found animals doing many things (bears can ride bicycles, for instance), but never have they found animals worshiping their Creator.

Worship is the natural response of the created to the Creator, in whom "we live, and move, and have our being" (Acts 17:28). It is the spontaneous cry of "Abba, Father" that leaves our lips in times of praise or peril, happiness or hunger.

Debate About Time and Place
The time and place of worship periodically comes up for discussion. My particular church begins at 9:00 a.m. and is followed by Sabbath school, which ends before 12:00 noon. For our members this is not an issue. But we have from time to time had visitors ask, "Why is your order of service backwards?"

The when of worship was never much of an issue for the Jews in Jesus' day. The Ten Commandments made clear the appropriateness of the Sabbath as a time of worship. On that day one remembered that one's origin traced back to God (see Ex. 20:8-11) and that one's liberty and salvation--whether from Egyptian bondage or this fallen world--were found only in God (see Deut. 5:6, 7).

Questions for Reflection or for Use in Your Small Group 1. Of the different styles of worship mentioned by the author, which most appeals to you? Why? 2. The author suggests that animals do not worship. Do you agree or disagree? What biblical (or other) reasons do you have for your position? 3. The author's local church begins with what we usually call "the worship hour," followed by Sabbath school. What do you think of this approach? What practical reasons might lead you to prefer either that way or the traditional practice? 4. What in the article did you find most helpful to you personally?

Sabbath was the time for worship, but not the only time. Its observance was necessary, but worship was not seen as exclusive to it. In fact, it's quite clear that a great many of Jesus' nights in prayer were indeed, as my son calls them, school nights. And Paul's Epistles chronicle the times the early Christians gathered daily for worship and prayer, and when in their delight in the Sabbath rest they sought to extend worship beyond the close of the day.

As Sabbatarians we are blessed to appreciate and observe the Sabbath as did Jesus. We nevertheless should be more than "Seventh-day" Adventists. Rather, we should be Adventists all seven days of the week. The seventh-day Sabbath is a very special day, and yet no day falls outside the purview of our Creator. All time should be sacred and lived to the glory of God.

The where of worship was a matter of discussion among first-century residents of Palestine. Samaritans had their preferred venue of worship, and of course the Jews argued that Jerusalem was the sacred site. Both were wrong to the extent that they suggested that there was a place where one could not worship. Of God the psalmist says, "If I go up to the heavens, you are there; if I make my bed in the depths, you are there" (Ps. 139:8, NIV).

Hence, true worship can take place in a cathedral with flying buttresses, but also around a campfire in the great outdoors.

One More Thing
How about the question of "inspiring worship"?

The fact of the matter is that what counts as inspiring may vary with gender, race, ethnicity, or personalities. Generation X has gotten much attention lately, as though they constitute the only group to differ from a previous generation. And certainly we must keep them in mind as we provide a variety of worship formats and styles for our diverse congregations and all generations attending our services.

But the Adventist Church has striven to worship in a manner that is inspiring and meaningful to all. Adventists have always understood that changes in the form and style of worship are to be expected. Just as our early Adventist pioneers did not worship exactly like the first-century apostles, neither should we expect twenty-first-century Adventists everywhere to worship like nineteenth-century North Americans.

Yet regardless of the form worship may take, we as a "peculiar people" have steadfastly maintained and conserved the substance of our worship, its inner core. Whatever the time or place or manner of worship, we have tried to ensure that our worship is inspiring and that it is of God.

The word inspiration comes from a Latin word that means "to breathe." And true worship is like life-giving breath. Without it we die. The person who fails to worship will eventually perish. But those who truly worship will live.

Worship should not be done to please or entertain ourselves, but rather to raise up a joyful noise to the Lord, whether with African drums, grand pianos, or the simple unaccompanied human voice. In the diversity of the rainbow and the multiplicity of its colors and shades, lies its luminous beauty.

May what happens this Sabbath and every Sabbath continue to reveal the beauty, glory, and grandeur of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. May our worship serve to underscore the truth that God alone is deserving of our praise. May all that we do lead to the experience of His presence.

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David A. Pendleton, who is also an attorney, pastors the Waiola Adventist Worship Center in Kaneohe, Hawaii, and serves as a member of the Hawaii House of Representatives.