Worship and Mission
Our guest speaker in the just completed Chapel Service spoke about the Mission of God based on Acts 13 verses 1 to 5. Though the points are unclear, reading the text, the central theme can be justified. On this basis, he could speak of the mission of God as a result of the initiative of church leaders, inspired by the Spirit, and the concrete application of public worship. As such, we can see that mission and worship cannot be separated.
Nevertheless, as I reread the text, the central idea that comes to mind is about worship and fasting, which is rare in Christian circles particularly the last. As for the first, worship disorder is another widespread problem in all periods of human history whether ancient or modern.
What kind of worship do we need today? We can find the answer to this central question based on our text.
Role of Church Leaders
The text talks of church leaders, prophets, and teachers that initiated worship and fasting. Five names were mentioned: Barnabas, Simeon, Lucius, Manaen, and Saul. This tells us the importance of the role of leadership in initiating spiritual activities such as worship and fasting. Whenever we see such initiative, that's a clear indication that the Spirit of God is moving and accomplishing the work that Jesus started (Acts 1:1).
Word from the Holy Spirit
Another important characteristic of the kind of worship we found in the book of Acts is that the Holy Spirit spoke to these church leaders while they were worshipping and fasting. The calling of God is clear. The people who were called were also identified; they are Barnabas and Saul. God told the assembly to set apart these two for Him for that specific task of carrying the gospel to specific people.
How about contemporary worship these days? Do we still hear the voice of the Spirit speaking? Or are the religious activities of the church today filled with something else that leaves no room for the voice of God?
Worship Proven in Obedience
The third and last characteristic of the kind of worship we found in the ancient church is that the worshippers responded in obedience. This tells us that true worship and mission are inseparable. A mission that does not spring from worship can accomplish little for it relies on human wisdom and strength. On the other hand, worship that does not end in a mission is insular and self-centered.
As worship empowers mission, mission on the other hand exists to teach people true worship. John Piper captures this in his popular idea that "mission exists because worship doesn't."
We need the kind of worship initiated by godly leaders that has room for the voice of the Spirit and that results in obedience to the Great Commission. However, the mission field is constantly evolving. Nations with diverse cultures are now in key cities all over the world. This requires the need for urban missions. Currently, the emergence of the idea of digital states, tribes, and communities is also calling for a different response. This is another space that must be reached out with the gospel of Christ.