Showing the face of Jesus in our worship

Here's a worthy goal to strive for in our weekly worship service:

... our worship, no different than the rest of our lives, pleases God when we represent his Son through it. This is more than a matter of choosing music that is properly respectful or adequately relevant. Our worship should show the face of Jesus to those who have gathered and to those who need to gather to worship him. They see him when they understand his gospel - making our task to represent that gospel in all we do.

Quoted from Bryan Chapell, "Re-presenting" Christ's Story, in Christ-Centered Worship (Baker Academic).

Horizontal and vertical dimensions of worship

It is easy to react against the so-called "seeker sensitive" worship services by swinging the pendulum to the other end: that worship is purely about pleasing God, not about us. Bryan Chapell points out that Christ-centered worship demands that we hold on to both:

The horizontal and vertical dimensions of worship actually cannot be isolated in any aspect of worship. Prayer is directed to God (recognizing his glory) but offers petitions for his people (expressing human love). Preaching that fails to show love for God's Word fails to bring him glory, but preaching that fails to express love for God's people also fails to glorify him. Praise glorifies the greatness of God, and simultaneously encourages God's people with the implicit message that such a great God still delights to hear them. Worship must be offered with concern for God's glory and the good of his people. Worship cannot be a reflection of the gospel without both concerns.

Quoted from Bryan Chapell, "Re-presenting" Christ's Story, in Christ-Centered Worship (Baker Academic).

Seminary: A place to prepare pastors?

A recent conversation with a seminarian friend highlighted that it is no easy task for seminaries and Bible colleges to figure out how to remain faithful and effective in preparing pastors and gospel workers for the churches in the coming years.

In his inaugural address as Professor of Practical Theology at Westminster Theological Seminary, Philadelphia, entitled "Seminary: A Place to Prepare Pastors?", Timothy Z. Witmer draws out "Four Imperatives Required to Improved the Seminary as a Place to Prepare Pastors":

Imperative 1. Renew the Commitment to the Mission to Prepare Pastors

"Forming men for the ordained Gospel ministry as pastors, teachers, evangelists, missionaries, and other tasks specified by the church" ... is not the only thing that we do, but it is the heart of what we do and always has been since the seminary opens its doors.

Imperative 2. Embrace a Holistic Picture of Ministerial Formation

Our goal is to form a person, not a professional. Our commitment must not be merely the transmission of information but the transformation of character.

Imperative 3. Accomplish the Mission in Partnership with the Church

A vital partnership with the local church must be cultivated.  "It takes a flock to shape a shepherd".

Imperative 4. Review Our Approach in the Classroom

John Frame defines theology as "simply the application of Scripture to all areas of human life. We do not know what the Scriptures say until we know how it relates to our world" ... We must strive to answer the "So what?" question.

Read Dr Witmer's full lecture at Westminster Theological Journal 69 (2007): 229-46.