The role of worship

When I was in college, I had a professor who could draw the history of theology on three sections of chalkboard so that I understood it. I think that was the first time that I really experienced the power of schematics to help people understand something.

So this weekend, I set out to communicate through schematic. How could I communicate the role that worship plays in the life of the church? How could I help people to see its central role? I used the following schematic:

What role does worship play in becoming Christ-centered communities?

Worship is the center, without which study (under which I include preaching) becomes intellectual pride, prayer becomes religious duty, and witness becomes a social program. When Christ is central, the Spirit is given space to create worship. When worship is integral, it catalyzes other facets of Christ-centered life, which in turn kindle more worship. It incites us to study to know Him; and as we study, our hearts turn to worship Him. True worship calls us to trust Christ in prayer; when we ask and receive, our hearts flow back to Him in praise. Likewise, when we are most full of love to God, witness is the overflow of our joy in God; when He converts the lost through us, and strengthens the weary, our hearts are again lifted to worship Him.

I was amazed at how much the schematic helped me to understand better the role worship plays in the life of the church. I guess I am a more visual/spatial person than I had thought.