Form or function... which comes first?

Recently a dear friend of mine and I were discussing differences in worship styles. Specifically, we were comparing a more traditional form of worship to its contemporary counterpart. We share the same denomination, but within that denomination there are churches of both varieties. I find they each have their strengths. However, if speaking in complete honesty here, they may also both have some weaknesses. For me, and, please hear me... I'm speaking simply of my own fallible opinion... the effectiveness of any means of shepherding and/or discipling comes down to which of these two things is most important: form or function.

I'm gonna leave it there for just a moment and switch gears a bit.

The other day I happened upon a new Instagram account as I was scrolling through my phone. I usually just swipe and swipe mindlessly, but this square stopped me in my tracks. It was pure eye candy! This gal had talent. She had a genuine gift for putting gorgeous vignettes together. I could have been looking at a display in a high-end department store instead of her home, it was that pulled together.

The first image I saw was of her dining room table. It was brimming with chippy, wooden boxes; candles; glass vases; feathers; birds' nests; and greenery woven meticulously throughout. Providing the backdrop for it all was a perfectly puddled, white cheesecloth cascading to the floor. It was a sight, I tell you, as was the corner chair piled high with overstuffed pillows and a cable-knit blanket... and the pristine bed crowned in the center with a huge rattan basket overflowing with dried hydrangeas!

I was in awe.

I was in awe for all of about two minutes until I got to thinking what a pain it would be to try to squeeze a dinner plate onto that gloriously bedecked table or to squeeze myself comfortably into that chair or onto that bed. I get it. I really do. Instagram is ALL about the presentation. I mean, who wants to see how someone really lives? The perfect squares are about the form; that's what makes something "Insta-worthy."

That's not to say that something has to be over the top to be noteworthy or joy-inducing. There is also much beauty in simplicity. A single stem in a glass vase. White sheets hanging on the line. The first star to pierce the darkness. Spaghetti sauce on an angelic face.

Many times beauty is heightened by the collaboration of form and function together. Think of architecture and engineering. They bring the best of both worlds together. I'm an "all about the beauty" kind of girl, but let's face it, I want that drool-worthy bridge or that breathtaking building to also be sturdy and safe. If I had to pick one to come first...

it would have to be function.

Now, getting back to that first paragraph. I believe God put us on this earth to give Him glory in all we do. I also believe He gave us a job to do, to make disciples of all nations. In my humble opinion, that's the function... the primary function. How we go about that in the way we worship? Again, in my most humble opinion, that's the form. Worship can certainly be heightened by the blending of the two, but who is to say which form delights God more? Is He not just as pleased with tiny voices lifting up "Jesus Loves Me, This I Know" as He is a performance of Handel's "Messiah?" Does He not smile as broadly over hearing a sincere recitation of John 3:16 as He does listening to deep discussions of theology?

My dad had a simple faith; it was simple but rock solid. He grew up Baptist, but became a Lutheran when he married my mother. He never had much formal training in the works of Luther or in the Book of Concord, but he loved Jesus. He talked to Him daily, and Jesus knew him too. They were good friends. My dad strolls the streets of gold with Jesus today. My father's eternity depended much less on the form of worship. It was the function that introduced him to saving grace. It's the function that introduces ALL of us to that same saving grace.

I suppose it boils down to this: the most important thing should ALWAYS be the most important thing...

function first.

When that criteria is met, worship in whichever form brings you the greatest joy.