Some people on Facebook and Twitter do not read comments as a matter of course. Sometimes a comment thread provides useful context but often they just make me angry. I will sometimes argue with strangers on the internet because, you know, you can’t just let people that are wrong walk around thinking they are right. (I say that tongue in cheek.) As brick-and-mortar LifeWay stores come to end they have several deals on Bibles right now online. I have seen ads in my Facebook newsfeed in the past week for a KJV Minister’s Bibles, a CSB “Ancient Faith” Study Bible and the NKJV large print Bible pictured above. There are several different Bibles, some up to 50% off, with many of the sales lasting only 48 hours.
I would have scrolled past the ads and not written a post about them were it not for the comments. Continue reading
I understand the significance of high production value. Our desire is to bring the very best before God in his house. A congregation expects, as well they should, for the preacher to be prepared. Sermon prep begins on Monday or Tuesday (and sometimes weeks or even months in advance) not on Saturday evening or before church on Sunday morning. Bible teachers and worship leaders, soloists, music directors, choirs and praise band members are all expected to put in time working together and practicing. And in this day and age you need the crew in sound, projection and lighting to go over the program, discussing transitions and the order of service. There is nothing wrong and in fact there is a lot right about devoting time and energy to prepare for worship. But what has slowly happened over the past 20 or 30 years, from my point of view, is that worship has morphed into a spectator sport. Authentic worship is not something we are to sit and watch. I don’t know who said it first but the term I like to use for that activity is worshiptainment. I do not believe that is what God desires. 
Paul Wilkinson blogs at 
The Master's Table 