Why we all need our own “Old Church Basement”
Most of us grew up in that church with that scary basement that nobody liked being in; I know I did.
But the song by Elevation Worship & Maverick City Music mainly speaks of a different old church basement, one that lives anywhere and everywhere.
Worship, in many churches, has evolved in many ways through many different styles of worship. But how has that affected true worship?
Its effect means we need a return to the Old Church Basement.
Now, what does that mean? It means we need a return to more simple worship. That doesn’t necessarily mean in churches alone, but everywhere.
“I don’t see anything wrong with the lights or stages
I even love it when the crowd gets loud singing out God’s praises
But every now and then it can get a little complicated
So I remember when I was in that old church basement…”
When I say simple worship, I don’t mean taking out all the lights, loud audio equipment, or anything else. But allowing ourselves to worship God outside of the typical construction of a physical church. Most of us have grown up thinking that the church is a physical, concrete location that you come and go to every Sunday or any other day your church holds a service. But I’m gonna let you in on a bit of secret, the church isn’t and has never been a physical location. The Bible gives us an example as to what or who a church is in Matthew 18:20 (NIV),
“For where two or three gather in my name, there am I with them.”
The church is where God’s followers are, where the Old Church Basement is, where your Old Church Basement is. Now, your basement doesn’t have to be at a Sunday worship service; it really shouldn’t solely rest on one day. It should be every day.
Psalms 96: 1–2 (NIV) gives us this exact direction from God,
“Sing to the LORD a new song; sing to the LORD, all the earth. Sing to the LORD, praise his name; proclaim his salvation day after day.”
As Elevation and Maverick City sing into the 3rd verse, they sing
“Great is thy faithfulness Lord unto me.
It’s just an old hallelujah with a new melody.”
A return to simple worship can make someone realize all these changes to Christian/worship-style music is just old praise, but with a new sound. Essentially making that “old hallelujah” more impactful with the “new melody.”
The same lyric tells us how great God’s faithfulness is, how vast and how wide it surrounds us. There is no problem, no situation, or loss that can separate us from God’s faithfulness and love. He gives us faithfulness and love without asking, but it is up to us to allow Him into our hearts.
The Bible tells us this throughout the Bible but more clearly in Revelation 3:20,
“Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with that person, and they with me.”
God has already sought us out; it is up to us to open the door and return to the Old Church Basement.
All thanks to Elevation Church for providing insight into this wonderful song and all credit for the song and lyrics go to them and Maverick City Music.
