What we are individually, twenty-four hours a day, is more important than what happens in church once a week. The secret of acceptable worship lies in how we are at home, or at work, and when we are alone and nobody knows what we are doing.

It lies in our total lifestyle. Jesus said, “He that is faithful in that which is least is faithful also in much” (Luke 16:10).

If we don’t get our act together before we come to church, we can’t expect to worship at church. We can’t expect something magical to happen once we’re inside the church doors.

We mustn’t think, “All I need to do is get to church,” because it doesn’t work that way. If we are hypocrites, if our profession of faith lacks reality, when we come to church to sing and worship we will be out of tune, and will not be making music pleasing to God.

from Worshipping God: Rediscovering the Full Dimension of Worship

—————————
Gender-inclusive version:

What we are individually, twenty-four hours a day, is more important than what happens in church once a week. The secret of acceptable worship lies in how we are at home, or at work, and when we are alone and nobody knows what we are doing.

It lies in our total lifestyle. Jesus said, “Whoever is faithful in a very little is faithful also in much” (Luke 16:10 NRSV).

If we don’t get our act together before we come to church, we can’t expect to worship at church. We can’t expect something magical to happen once we’re inside the church doors.

We mustn’t think, “All I need to do is get to church,” because it doesn’t work that way. If we are hypocrites, if our profession of faith lacks reality, when we come to church to sing and worship we will be out of tune, and will not be making music pleasing to God.

from Worshipping God: Rediscovering the Full Dimension of Worship