Hi, Gino -

In response to your question: "In a church, if worship happens, but if it is not forced, faked, or by formula, yet, if it is done decently and in order, can it be alright, or is it still possibly out of place?"  I'd suggest that true worship is NEVER out of place.  It's appropriate in all times and places; in fact - as Paul suggests - ALL of life is supposed to be worship.  I explored the idea of this totality of worship here:  https://stevekerp.wordpress.com/2024/06/28/worship-service/ - The link was posted on Five Doves on June 30th but some readers may have missed it.

What we need, of course, is a clear idea of what "worship" is, and organized religion may have misled many of us on this point.  In John chapter 4 Jesus lays down the bedrock truth, that true worship is "in spirit and in truth."  The spirit as I understand it, is a correct understanding and attitude about the relationship between the worshiper and the One being worshiped, and the truth is fundamentally Jesus, who is "the way, the truth and the life."  The Jews and the Samaritans in those days were centered on location - the appropriate "sacred space" - and ritual or form.  Spirit and Truth replace these.

If your life is worship, there are no "sacred spaces" or "holy ground" or any of that.  The earth is the Lord's and the fullness thereof.  ALL locations are His.  True worship rests on the foundation of an obedient life.  Those who are self-centered, rebellious, or living in sin CANNOT worship.  They can go through the motions, sing with the worship band, preach the message.  They can do all the externals.  I'm sure we know folks like that.  I used to BE "folks like that."

Being in the presence of God is transformational.  If any "worship service" does not transform people, it's not worship.  If in your daily life and daily activities, you are not becoming more Christ-like:  more patient and kind, more loving, less critical, less bitter - then your life is not worship no matter how loud or enthusiastically you may sing.

Life is not compartmentalized.  That is can be or should be comes from the Babylonian/Catholic heritage of today's organized church.  There is nothing wrong with getting together on a regular basis with other believers.  The early church did that, and Paul encouraged it.  But removing mutual edification and replacing it with a liturgical symbolic exercise is actually counter-productive.  Re-read Matthew 24:5.  Professional religious leaders may not be your friends.

I hope this helps and I hope to see you soon.

Best,

Steve