Chuck Bridges Blog

I am a big fan of Bill Cosby. I go all the way back to his “Fat Albert” cartoon — (“HEY; HEY; HEY, IT’S FAT ALBERT”) The “Cosby Show” revolutionized sit-com television. This man is not only funny but is quite insightful. He has been praised and ridiculed for some very ‘blunt’ comments towards his own race. (Actually I don’t look at Cosby as an African-American, just a fellow American!)

Anyway, Cosby was doing an interview once and made a statement that has often been quoted. He says: “I don’t know what the secret of success is but I do know the secret of failure — TRYING TO PLEASE EVERYONE!” Even Politicians know that you can’t please everyone. That’s why many of our elected officials have to learn a new language — ‘Double Talk.’ They know how impossible it is for them to PLEASE all of their constituents so they have to give it a good try when actually communicating with those who “HIRED” them. (Sorry, I am “chasing a rabit” again)

Actually, what I want to share in this post is something that I said before we officially began our “Public Worship Service” at Washington Avenue Church yesterday. God really dealt with my heart about some things that needed to be said before we “STARTED.” I really thought about what to say and why I felt so strongly that something needed to be said. I wanted to make sure that what I was going to say was coming from God and not from my emotions.

One of the greatest hinderances in our “Public Worship” Gatherings is Consumerism. This is simply the mindset we use to evaluate our services according to Personal Appeal. Life in America is ruled by Personal Appeal. It is what advertisers study when trying to develop campaigns that will “Sell” their product. It is based on Personal Satisfaction and not necessarily on the quality of what is being marketed. Value and integrity get trumped by “bottom line profits!”

Our Public Worship services will never become the Spirit-Filled, Spirit-Led experiences that we desperately need if we keep attending them and/or leaving them for something newer or better because what is being offered is not “APPEALING!” Our “Consumeristic” tendencies have caused Worship Leaders to focus on PLEASING PEOPLE more than on PLEASING GOD! Yes, no matter how many times we tell ourselves that it is not about us but is All about Jesus, in the back of our minds, songs that are selected, messages that are prepared, orders of presentation, etc. are influenced by the “Consumers” we are “servicing!”

This is the basic information that I shared before we officially began our Worship service yesterday. I was hoping there would be some kind of response from those who gathered yesterday that would be God-Ordained. A few people came to the altar when invited, most remained in their seat. After a time of prayer, we officially started the worship service. For me, my focus took a major shift from concern over what someone might think about our music, the volume, etc. to just pouring my heart out to the Lord. For me, Worship was sweeter and more genuine than it has been in quite a while. For some, I think it really made a difference. For others, not much change from the norm was noticeable. (I know these evaluations of mine would be challenged by some who were there but I just have to call it like I see it. After all, that is what this blog is about)

I don’t know if these “rantings” of mine on a Monday morning help or hurt. Maybe my longings reflect the thoughts of others or maybe I just need to be rebuked! All I do know is that God can and will ONLY BLESS Worship that is Sincerely focused on Him and not on US! I also KNOW that Consumeristic mindsets will grieve the Holy Spirit and hinder worship every single time we gather. While I may not know what someone in the congregation is thinking and/or feeling, let me remind all of us that God Knows what we are thinking and feeling! I just long to see God get all the GLORY, HONOR and PRAISE He deserves each and every time we meet together! How about you?