piper on the state of worship in america

For thousands of people, and many pastors, the event of “worship” on Sunday morning is conceived of as a means to accomplish something other than worship.  We “worship” to raise money; we “worship” to attract crowds; we “worship” to heal human hurts; to recruit workers; to improve church morale; to give talented musicians an opportunity to fulfill their calling; to teach our children the way of righteousness; to help marriages stay together; to evangelize the lost; to motivate people for service projects; to give our churches a family feeling.  In all of this we bear witness that we do not know what true worship is. WORSHIP is for the sake of magnifying God, not ourselves, and God is magnified in us when we are most satisfied in Him.  The essence of worship is heartfelt satisfaction in the glory of God. 

John Piper