Too often debates between traditional and contemporary worship parallel the question of the Samaritan woman. I know some advocates of traditional worship forms who believe that the moving grandeur of Bach's St. Matthew's Passion is a divinely inspired means of grace. Many among this group will argue for such pieces not necessarily because they are the most godly and Christ-saturated music in Christian hymnody, but because the style appeals to their own tastes. They also seem to think that God has not visited the congregation in his grace unless specific words have been uttered. In short, they see their liturgies or forms of worship not as the best way of preaching Christ, but as nearly magical formulas for regulating divine presence. So, if the standard procedures are followed, God is present. If they are not, he is absent.
Proponents of contemporary worship are remarkably like their critics. The difference is that they think they have God in their control by negating everything the traditionalist holds dear. They too seem to believe that their novel forms are the keys that unlock the Holy Spirit's gilded imprisonment in classical idioms. They believe that by not uttering specific words, by not using classic hymns or choral arrangements, by not following any particular structure or pattern, their spontaneity and honesty will be rewarded by the Spirit. They have made themselves "open" and "available" by getting rid of written prayers, learned sermons, richly biblical hymns and formal opportunities for public confession, Scripture reading and the declaration of forgiveness.
The question is not whether we worship God on this mountain or another, whether we follow the formalism of yesterday or the novelty of today. The question is whether we are joining the heavenly choir in joyful assembly around our crucified King and ascended Lord, directed by the heavenly conductor through his Word. We should ask: Is our worship directed by this world or are we attempting to mirror that heavenly Jerusalem that is coming down out of heaven?
May we more earnestly pray, "Your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as it is in heaven."