A doxology (from the Greek word doxa, meaning glory + logia, meaning declarations or testimonies) is the affirmation of God’s glory by way of all that He is and has done. In other words it is what we commonly refer to as “Worship”.
Traditionally, a doxology is categorized as a hymn that is often sung or recited in Protestant churches, signaling the ending or dismissal of a service. The most common of these is known as “Praise God, from Whom all blessings flow”, written in 1674 by Thomas Ken. To many, “The Doxology” is the comforting summation of our corporate liturgy and to the remainder, a song given new life by more modern groups such as the David Crowder Band.
Presently there are many opinions regarding the definition of worship and our responsibility in it. Men and women have spents countless hours deciphering what it means and how it ought to look. However, I do not believe there is a more accurate exposition than this: Worship is what you do with what God reveals of Himself.
Our worship is an echo, not only in who He is, but also in what He has done, is doing and will do in the future. Worship requires action! – Often but not limited to a response with our mind, such as our belief in God’s worthiness, our emotions, such as love and trust, our deeds and our words. Our heart commonly expresses itself in poetry and song; our mind is active when we desire to comprehend the will of God and our bodies and strength are involved when we obey and when we serve.
What are YOU doing with what you believe?
“One day all Christians will join in a doxology and sing God’s praises with perfection. But even today, individually and corporately, we are not only to sing the doxology, but to BE the doxology.”
- Francis Schaeffer -
When I was a child, I thought it was a very strange way to start church..Back in those days, all children sat in regular church and behaved themselves, me especially, as church was such a treat for me; my neighbor brought me, and while she never missed sunday school, church could be iffy….
After Pastor Christensen came in the side door of the sanctuary the choir followed him in singing this strange song to no music, then paused and we all rose when Paster C lifted his hands in the air and sang it too….I can only remember the funny looks from people around me as I was an “enthusiastic” singer even as a child; He alone remembers what words I sang until I could read the words to learn the song!
Side note: Pastor Christensen came to the hospital the nite Jordan was born to bless him for me, and Jeremy used to “sling his spidey-web” at the pastor’s wife when she wouldn’t let him hold the offering church for the pennies in the morning.
Anyway, in sunday school we sang, Praise Him, Praise Him, all ye little children, God is Love, God is Love! (repeat), so I remember asking Mrs. Hanscom, the wonderful neighbor who took me to sunday school with her, if I was “a creature from below, a host or a ghost” when I praised God…. I wish I could remember what her answer was…
Glad I could help!
I’m not sure where you are getting your info, but good topic. I needs to spend some time learning much more or understanding more. Thanks for wonderful information I was looking for this information for my mission.
I would love to share…
Dear Mr. Corzine,I’m sure you don’t remember me but my fimlay lived next door to you for a few years on Bowie St in Harlingen. It had to have been about 20 or more years ago. My little sister Alaina and Marlee were friends and often played together. My parents were always strong in their Christian faith and raised us to be also. Although we didn’t go to a Pentecostal church, my parents allowed us to attend VBS during the summer at your church. I am 30 years old now with children of my own and I just wanted to tell you that I still remember going to your church services and it played a big role in my decision when I chose a church home for myself and my children. I was only 8 or 9 but I remember the happiness I felt when I attended those services. I accidently came across your name while I was researching some information and felt like it was God telling me to thank you for the influence you provided even though I’m sure you were unaware of it at the time.Thank You,Penny Biggerpbigger@ivytech.edu
Well if we are talking about lost kids that don’t have godly panerts… as a missionary (now SAHM and wife to a missionary) with Child Evangelism Fellowship I must say you (the church) must go to the kids. It’s not good enough to teach sunday school classes of kids “About” Jesus. You MUST share the Gospel with them! Most of our churches teach Bible stories to children… which obviously I have no issues with… but I bet the reason these kids end up leaving is because they never became Christians! As someone who taught kids sunday school for a long time I can tell you most of the curriculum DOES NOT share the gospel… or it does once every 5 weeks or something like that. That isn’t good enough! You can’t expect kids to stay in church if they never accepted Christ as their personal Savior. For kids outside of the church? Go to where they are. Schools (yes you can do it, visit cefonline.com) community centers, parks, wherever kids are and tell them why Jesus came.Kids should know Bible Stories but if they don’t know the Gospel then they can’t be saved and won’t stay in church.
Posted on I’d must test with you here, which isn’t something I uusally do! I get pleasure from reading a post that will make folks think. Thanks for permitting me to remark!
This is actually steiohmng we have been addressing at our church in the past few months. We have been incorporating more activities for our youth, such as– on a specific Sunday night, the youth conducts our entire service; our music director has incorporated some of the new Contemporary Christian music into our services, which the youth absolutely love. We have also brought a young youth minister in which has been such a blessing!Honestly, I think one of the main reasons the statistics are what they are is because a lot of churches are too set in older ways– not so much catering to the older members, but pacifying them by not incorporating newer ideas and technology into the service, etc. It is absolutely critical that we do all we can to make our young people feel a part of the church because they are the future of the church, and they need all the guidance they can get in this harsh and cruel world!!
I can`t aggree with you. I think other way than you. But it`s nice to read how someone else is thinking. Like it!
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Okay, next to my family and my kids, this is my Passion topic! It’s what gets my jceius flowing.First and foremost, I believe that those statistics are proof that the church has fallen asleep. The church has narrowed itself into a corner and unless willing to adapt to some change, this statistic I fear will grow. Churches have been doing what they do because that’s the way it’s always been done. Some churches hold tight to Tradition. The church can never compete with culture. They will never win. Its just the way it is. But the church can certainly change from “doing” to having a strategy.If You read my “About” section on my blog, you’ll see a line where I wrote, “I bleed Orange.” I encourage you to check out http://www.whatisorange.com to learn more about that and to see where my firm stance on what the church should be doing.We (as in Us, Moms, Parents, etc) put So much responsibility on the Church for those poor statistics. I see it as a 50/50 deal. Parents need to wake up and realize that they are the primary spiritual leaders in their kids lives. The church is a “Partner” to you as a Parent. Or at least it should be. There in lies the problem. Churches are failing to see that they need to come along side of us as parents and support us and understand that what happens at home is far more important than what happens at church. I am a product of Christian parents, christian private schools and church all my life. I saw friends come and go within the church. From my experience, The leadership within the church are all on different pages. Nursery, elementary, youth and “big” church are all doing their own thing. There is no strategy. They are silo’d. I beg of the church to align themselves together with parents and have a strategy for how to get a child from birth through college not ever wanting to leave the church! It is possible. It just means people are going to have to adapt to change and let some things go. Sorry for the rant. I warned you that it was a Passion area for me. I could say so much more…. : )
cool blog and nice post.
As a pastor’s wife- this topic is near to my heart!First of all, I have to say that I do not belveie that the “Church” is at fault!! The Bible is very clear, that it is to be us PARENTS that are to be training our children in righteousness!!! Sunday School & Youth Group were started many, many years later & really were started for the “non-churched” kids! Those statistics are sad, but I think they are a lot due to the fact that parents have been relying on the church to teach their children about Christ- instead of taking an active role themselves (& actually living what they belveie)!A couple things our church does that I LOVE are… when children turn 4, they join their parents in “big” church- children younger than that are certainly welcome, but there is nursery & children’s church provided for children under 4. Although I do understand how difficult it can be for some kids to sit so long (we are all about wiggles at our house), we belveie that having children in the service, plants seeds in their little hearts!
We also have just started a curriculum (our pastors & elders & teachers have created) that lasts 7 years & walks everyone through the Bible… all Sunday School classes of various ages as well as the sermon are focused on the SAME topic… are memorizing the same verse, etc. In this way, children (along with their parents) will go through an in depth study of the whole Bible twice.Sorry, this is getting way too long! 
Great question!Jessica
Thanks a ton for this – love the info and agree with your perspective. However many others will not, so thanks for speaking up. Nice blog, well done!
Now thats an amazing post…Thanks!