Some Thoughts on Worship Music

3 Comments

I’ve read a couple of articles lately about worship.  In church circles, that is quite the hot topic these days.  The first article is one by LifeWay President Thom Rainer concerning what attracts the Millennial Generation (those born 1980-2000) to worship.  You can read it here.  The second article, written by Christian layman David Murrow, ponders the reasons most men do not sing during worship times in church.  You can read that article here.

Both articles were very insightful and both challenged me and encouraged me.  As a pastor, I want to see my congregation genuinely worship God in a way that pleases Him primarily and edifies us additionally.  The problem with most worship discussions, I believe, is that we focus on how to please the wrong audience.  We discuss what music appeals most to a certain generation, demographic, or other affinity group.

We debate whether we should sing hymns, contemporary songs, or both sung from hymnals or projected on screens, while played by bands or organ and piano.  The deciding factor in those determinations is usually the preference of the majority of people in the church or the perceived attraction of a target group. The truth, however, is that our worship needs to focus on an audience of ONE – God himself who alone is worthy of our praises.  Instead of considering the preferences of our majorities or target groups, we should be asking ourselves if our worship pleases God.  Does our selection of songs communicate genuine and substantive praise TO GOD?  Is the effort with which we engage singing worthy of the ONE to whom we sing?

The key is not hymns, contemporary songs, books, screens, bands, or organs, but about singing upbeat celebratory songs that are easy to sing, knowable or learnable, and that have rich theological meaning, not fluff or gimmicky.  That is the kind of music that reverberates through the corridors of heaven and exalts our Lord.  It’s about HIM not me.

Worship leaders and Pastors; ask yourselves some questions as you prepare the worship service.  Do the songs we will sing make sense?  Do they really say the things God wants to hear?  Can the average person sing this song? Are we celebrating the glory of God or singing for the beauty of the song? Is the song keyed properly? Are the words simple to sing but substantial in meaning? Is God basking in the attention He is getting from my worship?

Worshippers, connect with God this Sunday when you worship.  Don’t just stand there, sing…sing to God.

Shout for joy to God, all the earth;
sing the glory of his name;
give to him glorious praise!
Say to God, “How awesome are your deeds!
So great is your power that your enemies come cringing to you.
All the earth worships you
and sings praises to you;
they sing praises to your name.”  – Psalm 66:1-4

How to Pick a Fight with a Christian

1 Comment

The fastest way to start a fight with a Christian is to engage him or her in a conversation about music – music for church as well as what they play on their mp3 player or in their car.  The hymns vs. praise song battles are well documented and that is a can I will leave closed for now.  Most would be surprised, however, to find that many believers are just as defensive about their personal choice of music AWAY from church as they are about the kind of music they prefer IN church.

When King Saul rebelled against God, the Bible says the spirit of the Lord departed from him and a “harmful” spirit from the Lord tormented him (1 Samuel 16).  Without going into the exegesis of the “harmful spirit,” suffice it to say, Saul was miserable.  His advisors suggested someone come and play music in order to soothe his spirit.  By God’s designed, the greatest worship song writer ever, David, came to play for Saul.

“And whenever the harmful spirit from God was upon Saul, David took the lyre and played it with his hand. So Saul was refreshed and was well, and the harmful spirit departed from him.” 1 Samuel 16:23

David’s music affected Saul in three positive ways: emotionally (refreshed), physically (was well), and spiritually (the harmful spirit departed).

Because music has access to the deepest resources of our being, we need to be aware of its effects on our lives and be more discriminating with the music to which you listen.  Worldly music exposes us to worldly values, and Biblical music exposes us to Biblical truth.

I am not referring to style, but rather to message.  Musical tones and sounds are the vehicle in which thoughts and ideas travel to the deepest resources of our being.  I challenge you to pay more careful attention to lyrics.  Do away with junk and instead choose music that exalts Christ, is consistent with Biblical truth, and brings your thoughts captive to Christ.

Turn off the world’s garbage and choose instead to listen to good “Christ-centered” music.  You will find it amazing how beneficial truth accompanied by music can affect your mood, thinking, and ultimately your actions.