by Susan Morris

After being asked to write an article on worship, I began reflecting on all the different styles of worship that I have been a part of over the last 64 years.

My experience growing up was in churches that used a hymnbook, and the doxology was always sung as the offering plates were brought back to the front of the church.

As a 2-year Journeyman in Brazil, I worshipped under a tree as our church was building its own building. When we moved into the building, someone gave the church an old pump organ and I was the only one in the church that knew how to play it. So, I was “church pump organist”. Someone had to hold it in place while I played, or it would scoot along the floor!

In Texas where Bob pastored, the church really liked quartets and gospel music.

Then came Africa! What a different experience that was! We worshipped under trees, in unheated or unairconditioned buildings for sometimes up to 6-hour church services. Most times there were no instruments. Sometimes there were drums or a keyboard. There is a song between each item on the program. Whoever is going to speak, give a testimony, or sing special music, would start a song for the transition.

My favorite time was the offering. We would dance our way up to the table at the front and slap our money down on the table and then join the circle of those dancing around the table. This could go on for 30 minutes! Sometimes, a song that was started by someone would break into dancing and soon everyone was moving into the isles and joining in the worship.

I always loved to watch the small children as they just seemed to have the beat and would join in. I was always told that I danced like a white person!

So which is the best and right way to worship?

We see this same variety in the scriptures. King David was “leaping and dancing” before the Lord (2 Samuel 6:16). There are times in the quiet of my room I worship from the depths of my heart through song lifted up to the Father.

We were created to worship God. As we worship through praising God and giving Him glory, we express that as an overflow of our hearts. That looks different for each person and I count it joy to have been a part of various types of worship that will prepare me for that glorious day when we all gather around the throne from every tribe and nation worshipping in their own way and in their own language.