Worshiping God together in a church service should always be an exhilarating hour of joy. Yet sometimes we can allow our personal judgments to get in the way of all that worship really means – and that’s sometimes true for congregants and worship artists alike. If we are more concerned with a critical spirit than we are with the Holy Spirit, then surely we’re dragging our feet instead of racing towards an encounter with God.
Pope Francis remarked recently that Christians might need to rediscover the joy of praising God. Worship music can’t save us, but it does point us towards the One who can!
As congregants, when we hear worship vocalists sing a traditional hymn put to a new melody, are we excited that we are singing a new song to the Lord - or are we thinking, “That’s not the way the song goes”? If we can’t accept a different arrangement of a song because it doesn’t sound exactly like a recording, we may as well stay home and listen to that recording – as long as we realize that we’re foregoing fellowship and unity by doing so.
As worship artists, we need to drop tired buzzwords from the recent past – because “authentic worship” and “musical excellence” are always in the ear of the beholder. Instead, we should ask ourselves: “Are we called to this ministry?” and “Has our gifting been affirmed?” Music in church should not focus on notions of an individual’s “authenticity” or “musical excellence” at the expense of its true purpose – sharing the Good News in a way that draws people closer in Christ’s embrace. When our eyes are locked on Jesus, it’s all good.
Psalm 133 says, “Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity!” There is something wonderful about brothers and sisters in Christ standing together and singing His praises. Let’s not let anything stand in the way of our worship. Let’s not wait for the unity that may come someday – let’s find it on Sunday!
Pope Francis remarked recently that Christians might need to rediscover the joy of praising God. Worship music can’t save us, but it does point us towards the One who can!
As congregants, when we hear worship vocalists sing a traditional hymn put to a new melody, are we excited that we are singing a new song to the Lord - or are we thinking, “That’s not the way the song goes”? If we can’t accept a different arrangement of a song because it doesn’t sound exactly like a recording, we may as well stay home and listen to that recording – as long as we realize that we’re foregoing fellowship and unity by doing so.
As worship artists, we need to drop tired buzzwords from the recent past – because “authentic worship” and “musical excellence” are always in the ear of the beholder. Instead, we should ask ourselves: “Are we called to this ministry?” and “Has our gifting been affirmed?” Music in church should not focus on notions of an individual’s “authenticity” or “musical excellence” at the expense of its true purpose – sharing the Good News in a way that draws people closer in Christ’s embrace. When our eyes are locked on Jesus, it’s all good.
Psalm 133 says, “Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity!” There is something wonderful about brothers and sisters in Christ standing together and singing His praises. Let’s not let anything stand in the way of our worship. Let’s not wait for the unity that may come someday – let’s find it on Sunday!