The light of Scripture has lost out to light shows and special effects. The preacher's stage presence is scrutinized more than his sermon. Time once reserved by the pastor for teaching has been whittled to a few paltry minutes of home-spun humor and chat. Strikes me as a decorative pillar that doesn't support much weight and never quite reaches the ceiling. Another area pushed onto the fringe of the worship services is the ordinances.
Scripture is clear.
Baptism and communion are integral to church life and should have a high profile in worship. But some churches have all but abandoned baptism and communion, dooming them to mid-week services where they're less likely to offend unbelievers. What's more, the meaning of baptism and communion seldom is taught, which condemns them to a slow death at the hands of obscurity and neglect. One other area of worship in the church that has lost much of its meaning may surprise you. It's one I don't speak of often, but one that has been vital to my church and ministry since the beginning.