One day not long ago I received a note from a couple with an unusual request. Here's their letter:

Dear Pastor Wagner, we have attended your church on several occasions. While both of us come from a religious background, we are not sure if God exists, and if He does, can He be known? We would like to know if it is permissible for us to continue to attend Calvary Church. While we are not sure about the answers to our questions, we have sat next to some folks each Sunday who appear not only to believe that God exists, but who actually know Him.

I couldn't wait to give these folks a call. What a delight not only to be able to speak with such honest individuals but also to hear of the impact that authentic worship has on those with questioning hearts and minds. Reality and authenticity are powerful evangelistic tools!

I believe that one of the most evangelistic tools the church possesses, one desperately needed in today's society, is authentic worship. People want to know, first of all, if God exists; then second, can they relate to Him? If God exists, is it really possible to connect with Him in a vibrant, dynamic way? In genuine, authentic worship, observers see real people connecting powerfully with the real God.

Unfortunately, the current seeker-sensitive model -- at least as many churches have practiced it -- has led to a weak and anemic view of worship and prayer. That has led to weak and anemic relationships, both with God and with other believers. But the situation does not have to remain unchanged.

The outflow of a focus on God, a submission to the real Jesus, and an emphasis on ever-deepening relationships is an energetic, joyful, Spirit-filled, congregational worship of the triune God. Genuine celebration erupts when God's people discover who they are in Christ. Powerful prayer arises from the hearts of those who have truly entered the presence of God.

If these elements are understood and rightly practiced, they will lead to a growing sense of community and connectedness. They are the essence of biblical community.

Authenticity in Worship

I'm thankful for the current emphasis on worship, but I confess that I have grown weary of all the discussions on form that miss the point of meeting in authenticity with God.

We all have met inauthentic people. Maybe you sat down with them over a cup of coffee, you talked for a few minutes, they gave you a really good line, and you walked away saying, "You know, they're not real. They're not authentic. They're playing the role. It seems as though they have something to sell."

Perhaps they're politicians, or perhaps pastors trying to recruit us for the church. They're like the salesman who says sixteen times in two minutes, "Let me be honest with you." Now, why does he have to tell me he's going to be honest with me? If he keeps telling me that, it probably means he's not been honest with me most of the time.

Authenticity in worship occurs when we don't play a role, because God is not playing a role. We come with an open heart, we lay ourselves open before God, and a divine and a sacred transaction takes place.