As an educator, it amazes me
how the wording of educational concepts is continually evolving. And since I
will be using a few choice expressions used within the educational setting, I
want to make it perfectly clear at the onset, that my blog contains my own
thoughts. In no way is this entry reflective of the institution for whom I
work—in either a positive or negative means.
It is simply my own personal observance of a unique correlation between
one specific educational term—and its direct relationship to a more
church-oriented term.
Here is my general observation: There seems to be no shortage of instructional
books for teachers regarding the engaged reader/learner; or, on how
to engage
one’s students in the educational setting.
Strategies include everything from capturing the attention of students
with a wide variety of kinesthetic (that means “hands-on”) activities -- to
modified creative marketing tactics using craft demonstrations and explanations
to “guide” students in self-learning.
The educational theory has its
foundation in the premise that students do not always learn as they should
because teachers fail to engage them in the learning process. Stated in the reverse, if teachers would engage
their students, then students would be more apt to learn.
Already, I have used the word engage
at least half a dozen times. So what does the word engage mean? Most definitions relate the verb form of engage
to attracting and holding the attention of someone for a specified reason.
Other definitions imply making a choice to commit oneself to someone or something.
It is at this point my thoughts
drift to Sunday morning worship. The
question occupying my thoughts is this:
Who engages whom? In
education, the onus is on the teacher to create lessons designed to engage
their students. It would not surprise me
if seminaries also taught pastors to create sermons designed to engage
their congregations. If the truth be
told, this is probably why many people attend church. They are waiting for someone or something to engage
them—someone or something to capture and hold their attention (aka
“entertain”) them.
Ah, and therein lies the rub—It
is my opinion that we do not, and should not, attend church to BE engaged,
but rather TO engage. I would submit
that it is not God who engages us in worship, but rather it
is we who should engage God in worship.
We are His creation and it is our responsibility to worship (which means
give reverent honor and homage to--) God.
Our purpose for attending worship should be to ENGAGE: capture and hold God’s
attention through prayer, praise, the reading of His Word, music,
and the bringing of our tithes and offerings. Our total and complete desire
should be to ENGAGE: commit ourselves to Him. Furthermore, our goal
should be to leave Sunday morning worship still fully engaged in worship—ready
to capture and hold God’s attention throughout the entire week as we continue
to pray and praise Him in all aspects of life.
If you have read any of my
former blogs, you know I tend to leave you with a thought-provoking twist. Could it be that when you leave church on
Sunday morning, and you are feeling less than satisfied, that the onus is
actually upon YOU as a worshiper? Could
it simply be that you forgot to engage God in your multitude of worship
activities? If you expect God to respond
to you, then make certain everything you do, everything you think, everything
you say, everything you pray, and everything you sing—is something that will ENGAGE:
capture and hold God’s attention, as well as, demonstrate clear
evidence of your ENGAGEMENT: commitment to Him.
“May the words of my mouth and
the meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, O LORD, my Rock and my
Redeemer.” Psalm 19:14 (NIV)
“And whatever you do, whether
in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God
the Father through him.” Colossians
3:17 (NIV)
Respectfully written and submitted by:
Dotty Willmon, Resurrection Christian
