This is the second part of an interview with Bob Kauflin. You can read the first part here.
What if I’m not really comfortable being expressive in worship. What if I don’t like raising my hands or clapping or shouting. Is that something I really need to be doing in worship?
True worship of God begins in the heart. But it’s inevitably revealed through our bodies. It may not look the same for every person, or for one individual at different times. But God intended us to glorify him with bodies. We aren’t Gnostics who think that the highest expression of spirituality is that which is totally disconnected from our physical bodies. Our bodies, along with our voices, should draw people’s attention to the reality, greatness, and goodness of the God we worship.
What that looks like will be affected by factors like the kind of church I’m in (traditional, formal, informal), my temperament (extrovert, introvert), and how I’ve been taught. But my ultimate concern shouldn’t be what makes me comfortable, but how I can use my body to persuade others that God truly is more precious and satisfying to me than anything else.
Why do we sing so much about the cross? Shouldn’t we be singing about other things?
I don’t assume that every church sings a lot about the cross and what was accomplished there. But they should. The substitutionary death of Jesus Christ on the cross is the means by which can know we’re forgiven and reconciled to God. We wouldn’t even be worshipping God if Jesus hadn’t endured God’s wrath against our sin and purchased us for His Father’s glory (Rev. 5:9-10). Jesus’ death on the cross is also our means of access to God. (Heb. 10:19-22; Eph. 2:18).
Singing about the cross is also an effective way of preaching the gospel to ourselves. His atoning death addresses issues like condemnation, guilt, feeling distant from God, suffering, and a host of other things we can struggle with. Of course, an emphasis on the cross neither minimizes the need for Trinitarian worship (Eph. 3:18), or celebrating the risen Savior. But it’s significant that the hosts of heaven in Revelation never seem to get over worshipping Jesus as the Lamb who was slain. Should we?
BONUS QUESTION: Do you regret calling your only solo album “Heroic Piano”?
No. It’s a great title and I’m not even sure why you’re asking me the question. We wanted to communicate that this wasn’t some sleepy instrumental CD that sounds good in an elevator. “Heroic” captures that brilliantly. Don’t you think?
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{ 2 comments… read them below or add one }
I appreciate Mr. Kauflin's encouragement: "True worship of God begins in the heart. But it’s inevitably revealed through our bodies."
This is a lesson I'm seeking to learn. (Even though my progress is pretty slow!) The fear of man must be killed! I know that my heart is drawn to praise when I see others worshipping in a visible way.
Anything with 'Heroic' or 'Epic' used to describe it, is clearly something special!
'I'm about to have dinner and then help at the youth group tonight' would sound so much better as: "I'm about to have an epic dinner and then heroically help at the youth group tonight'….
Have really enjoyed the (two part) interview with Bob. I've learnt a lot from him over the past few years in terms of leading a corporate worship time, but also for my own life of worship to Jesus. I'm always challenged and encouraged by Bob's (and C.J.'s, in fact) passion for keeping the cross the focus in all we do.
Thanks for the posts….how's the mancave coming on?