Theology and Worship

In theology class, we've been given the assignment of discussing why theology is important in ministry.  I think there is one practical concern that really sticks out to me.  Maybe this is because I've spent over half my life as a Christian leading others in worship (and I believe that all ministers have this charge) or because I found interesting, but I think theology and its relationship to our worship is in fact extremely important.  I'll let someone else consider the implications of what I'm about to say.

Theology promotes a correct understanding of who God is and therefore encourages a proper worship-response to Him.  If ministers are to lead the local body to worship God, it is paramount that they have a correct view of who God is.  Consider the truth contained in John chapter four.  The worshippers that God seeks are those that worship Him in spirit and truth.  Move this into a theological discussion.  Would the worship rendered to a god that did not exist as the Father, Son and Spirit be true worship?  What I mean is that if somewhere in our minds, if when we mention and speak the name of God in worship, we do not think of the Trinitarian God, we are not rendering worship to the one true God.  This is not to say that we cannot worship God as Father or Christ as Son, but that there must be this fundamental understanding that frames our worship.  If not, then I would propose that the worship rendered is in fact to a false "god."  Any person can say that they "worship god," but unless the worship is rendered to the true God, it falls on deaf ears and fails to rise above the head of the one offering it.  Therefore, theology is extremely important from a personal, practical, ministerial standpoint.