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WORSHIP

‘It’s not about you’

What an awesome Worship Expo our music ministers had the opportunity to attend! I was personally refreshed and reminded of elements of worship that I should be including at my church. We were constantly admonished to maintain our personal integrity before God and to let the music be the reflection of our personal worship before our Savior.

Mr. Long made some seriously offensive comments regarding music ministers, sacred music, styles and worship philosophy, all of which were so inaccurate that they don’t warrant individual responses (Oct. 16 "Letters"). Had Mr. Long been at the Expo he would have realized the emphasis in no way exalted the music minister. The focus of the Expo was inspiration, education, admonishment toward personal purity, encouragement toward musical excellence, professionalism in every area, music ministry as outreach, and truly biblical worship led through singing, instrumentals, drama, dance and preaching.

My praise is that churches across our state, contrary to Mr. Long’s assertion, are realizing that worship will contain emotion. However you define worship, it involves an encounter with God. One cannot even glimpse His holiness and love contrasted with their sin and not become emotional. Music ministers don’t strive to produce emotion, however. We don’t have to. We lead in worship while God’s Holy Spirit leads the response.

Worship isn’t about a song, a service or a sermon. It’s about so much more. Worship involves encounter and response, both of which have many forms. When it’s not what you approve of, remember, it’s not about you.

Mike Reed
Fernandina Beach

TV ALTERNATIVES

FamilyNet an option

Your recent article on the escalating use of foul language on television—even during the so-called "Family Hour"—underscores the need for wholesome television programming devoid of offensive language and content (Witness, Oct. 9). Some of your readers may not be aware that Southern Baptists provide an alternative television viewing option for today’s families through our own full-time television network—FamilyNet. In addition to a safe haven for family viewing, the Good News is proclaimed in full-length programming as well as spot announcements. And, in concert with the North American Mission Board’s Evangelism Response Center, persons are able to call a toll-free telephone number and talk with someone who cares about them.

From TruthQuest: California—a FamilyNet production for youth done in cooperation with LifeWay and Baptist Press—to Mary Lou’s Flip Flop Shop, a half-hour children’s show with Olympic Gold Medalist (and Southern Baptist) Mary Lou Retton—to Swan’s Place featuring Southern Baptist humorist Dr. Dennis Swanberg, there’s something for the entire family.

For more information, visit our website (www.familynet.com) or call us toll-free at 800-832-6638.

R. Chip Turner
Vice President for Marketing and Distribution, FamilyNet