The Centrality Of The Church Is Christ

"For we preach not ourselves but Christ Jesus the Lord..." (II Corinthians 4:5)

At GLCC we want Jesus Christ to be the central focus in our worship. We do not allow any practice or behavior that would distract people from focusing on Him. For example, we cannot allow someone to stand up during our singing while everyone else is sitting down. The moment he stands, those near him will become aware of him and begin to wonder, "Why is he standing"? The focus is taken off Jesus and placed onto the person who is standing.

If someone does stand up, an usher needs to approach him and invite him into the back of the church and in love tell him, "that we do not practice this because we have discovered that it draws peoples attention away from Jesus and we know you would not want that to happen?" If they get upset it will only show that they were doing it in the flesh. Anything that distracts from Jesus needs to be stopped whether it is someone raising hands in worship, a crying baby or a restless child.

The church is not a place to show case someone's talents, nor is it a place where talented musicians are to perform. We are not to be drawing attention to ourselves. Jesus warned of this when He said, "Take heed that ye do not your alms before men, to be seen of them, otherwise ye have no reward of your father which is in heaven" (Matthew 6:1). We need to remember that worship is not about us, but it is about Jesus and our only job is to point people to Him. Like it or not if people are watching you they are not focused on Him.

When Jesus is the focus and He has central place in our worship lives will be changed and the church will grow. Jesus said, "And I, if I be lifted up from the earth will draw all peoples to myself" (John 12:32). One of the surest was to quench the Spirit of God in our services is by allowing things that distract. Jesus must remain the central focus in our worship. He will not share His glory.
 

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