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In my (perhaps not so humble) opinion, the issue of worship is not something as mundane or miniscule as music style, or even worship practice. I choose not to use the term "worship style" because, like so many terms finding their way into our church vocabulary, the expression is too easily made to mean whatever we want, and if you don't agree with me then one of us isn't in the Spirit -- baloney! Let's use terms specifically and consistently. There, done with that little soapbox.
The issue of worship is about our relationship with God. It is about what we are really interested in bringing to Him. Worship is for God's pleasure, God's enjoyment, God's glory -- not ours. The minute we make ourselves the priority of worship, we dethrone God in our hearts. And if we're getting hung up over music styles (a more responsible expression), that is exactly what we are doing.
Worship is not limited to music; whether you're out on visitation, or on the mission field, or watering your lawn -- all are to be done to God's glory, and that's worship. We don't (or shouldn't) worship, or be caught up in music styles, because of what we enjoy; it isn't about us! How arrogant of us to assume that our worship is biblical based on whether or not we're "moved." What does that mean? Worship isn't done for us. I can't state this often enough. Worship isn't about what our people like or don't like; if they're not made uncomfortable, or if they aren't talking about what the sacrifice of praise costs them, can we really say that there was worship happening, or just a fun sing-along? ("Sacrifice of praise" -- we like to sing about it, but do we really have any idea what it means?)
Unfortunately, the very people who we expect should be the most informed on the issue of worship -- our senior pastors -- are the ones from whom I'm always hearing lines like, "Well, we're looking to grow our church, so we're going to a contemporary worship style." This seeker model has its place, but not in the mainstream church. I'm sorry, but the purpose of worship in a service is not to entertain or "warm up the audience" for the speaker. Of course, what he really means by "worship style" is a music format vastly limited to anything written since 1970, which would not be so bad if all facets of Christian living were addressed in this body of song (which they aren't).
And where in the Bible does it say the only way to grow a church is to use contemporary song? (The psalmist says, "Sing unto the Lord a new song," not "Sing unto the Lord only a new song.") Don't misunderstand me, I love contemporary music, and the music that I write is, in the truest sense of the word, contemporary. The fact is that we sing not just to unite our hearts in love, but to sing the truth of God and our gratitude for His covenant back to Him. The body of contemporary music has not yet grown to address all of those issues, and we're sharing an incomplete gospel in our song to the very people we presumably are "seeking" if that's all we sing. Of course, this may also be why the primary means of church growth is by another church's attrition, but that too is an issue for future discussion! ;)
Is anyone else sick of this argument? I know I am, but the "movement" is only gaining momentum. I don't want to be confused with those against contemporary church song; their opinions are not based in scripture (however much they want to bend and twist it to support their flimsy and uninformed arguments -- another future article!), and the issue really boils down to an irrelevant one of taste. They don't like contemporary music, and that's okay. I do. Doesn't matter either way. But we must not "drug" ourselves into thinking it is God's will we make such paradigm shifts in our concept of "church" that all of the old must go and be replaced by the new. If you do that and still want to retain a body of song that adheres to the necessary scriptural doctrines, you're going to be singing from precious few PowerPoint slides! If you don't care as long as everybody's enjoying the beat, I hate to say but that you deserve the congregation you'll get.
My prayers are for you and your congregation; please be sure that stylistic changes you're making are informed by the Word, not the beat. Don't go for numbers; the Bible can't be made to support this as the primary drive (we're to make disciples of all men, not merely "members" of all men). Be clear with your terminology; don't be afraid to say so when you're talking about worship, or so timid as to feel the need to veil your arguments with generic terminology. Speak your mind, and speak the truth in love. Just make sure you're speaking the truth.
In love (and in Christ),
Michael Mays
June 5, 2003