Music and worship. Worship and music. The two go hand in hand. Maybe they’re the same…maybe not. But who is the one that gets to ultimately decide?
I don’t know about you but I personally have a difficult time referring to church music as “worship,” because that seems to cancel out a lot of other important things that happen during the church service that are very much worship-oriented.
What about Scripture reading? What about giving a tithe or offering? What about prayer? What about preaching? What about listening to God’s Word being preached? Are these integral aspects of the church service not also acts of worship?
What if the song lyrics are not theologically sound? Is it still “worship” then?
What if the lyrics are watered-down, too sanitary, or just plain lame?
What if the song is a solo performance? Who is the one worshiping if only one person is singing? Better yet, who is the one being worshiped during the solo? (Wait a minute, don’t answer that question! Maybe that’s a different article, altogether.)
Or what if it is an all-instrumental song? Is “worship” taking place if there are no lyrics involved?
Is it only “worship” if it takes place during the main church service? What about music and singing during a Sunday school or Life Group meeting? What about singing in a small group? Does the setting have anything to do with whether or not it is considered worship?
What about congregational singing from the music of pre-recorded CD’s? Does the music need to be “live” or are pre-recordings perfectly acceptable for it to still be considered worship?
If you sing “worship” songs in your car while driving, is that still considered worship?
What is “worship,” anyway?
Ultimately, I guess my question(s) boils down to this: Why would music be defined as “worship” over anything else that happens during your church service?
It has been my observation that music can be a sensitive issue. What I must ask myself in a time of worship is what am I doing or what is happening to me during times of music. Is it a time of spiritual enhancement or am I just enjoying myself. I am there to honor Jesus. It is a time whereby I can hopefully remove myself from the influences of the day to day living in a world hostile to God. I have some difficulty with the entertainment style of music common in many churches today. To have such a great emphasis on group of performers set up before the people draws away from the purpose of worship. It seems to me that each person in worship should all bring their voice to God on the same level. We are lifting up our voice to God, not to ourselves. (Why is it that a congregation claps at a solo performance and not when the whole congregation sings a hymn or other song?) On a personal note, I find much of the verse of the music you have now with the loud background of instruments (the heavy beat) to be rather empty in thought. Much of it is repetitive. This makes sense because with loud, pounding music it makes it difficult to think deeply about the words you are singing, as opposed, say, to a hymn that has whole message right within it. These are just some personal thoughts that are not directed to anyone or any church in particular.
I agree, that church music can and is a very sensitive issue.
I think that many Christians choose or leave a church based on the music more than any other reason. And I also agree that some songs that just sing a chorus repeatedly are seriously lacking.
I also never thought about why people applaud or shout “Amen!” after a person sings a solo versus when the entire congregation sings. Interesting….
Great thoughts, and thanks for sharing!
The bible says that we are to worship in spirit and truth!
psalm 150—praise the Lord! praiseHim with trumpet sound,praise Him with harp
and lyre praise Him with timbrel and dancing..praise Him with timbrel and dancing: praise Him with stringed instruments and pipe, praise Him with loud cymbals:praise Him with resounding cymbals..let everything that has breath praise the Lord.
For so long, I put worship in a neat little box. Worship was that 20 minute song set on Sunday morning, or if I was lucky, at some evening concert with a CCM artist. I just didn’t think about it being anything else. Now that that kind of worship isn’t “working” for me anymore, I’m seeing the error of my thoughts.
The best definition I’ve ever heard of worship is this: “Worship is giving God the best that He has given You.” (Oswald Chambers, from My Utmost for His Highest) This may involve music, and for me being a musician it often does. But for those who aren’t musical, music may not be the “best” they have to give.
I think worship fits into SO MANY things. In answer to some of the questions you posed above; solos, instrumentals, singing along in your car; it’s all worship. Sometimes I worship (musically) best with a secular (gasp!) song playing in my car while driving down a deserted country road.
Basically, worship can’t fit into a neat little box. And I like that.
Here, here! Paul said whether we eat or drink or whatever we do, do it for the glory of God. Worship, then, encompasses many, many, many facets of life. Music just so happens to be a powerful one, as it penetrates emotion.
Thanks Jamie!