Of late I am wondering if I am attending a concert when I meet with God's gathered and we engage in what we call worship? I know that worship is more than music/singing. I probably play that horn louder than most. All of God's people gathered is doxological. I even think proclamation is doxological. But specifically, I am wondering about what happens when God's people gather and some form of music and singing is the focal point. It feels a lot like I am watching a concert. The musicianship is sometimes outstanding (okay sometimes it's not great) but there are some talented people out there holding guitars, playing keyboards and singing into microphones. The videography via powerpoint rivals National Geographic photography. The sound systems are usually above adequate. It reminds me of some concerts I have been to. It's auditory as well as visual.

But is it worship? I know the answer to every question in the 21st century is "it depends". Let me be bold and say "no". There's a couple of reasons. One of them is the simple understanding that in our tradition the centre of the worship is in the worshipping community. As people sing, as people say "amen", as people experience the presence of the Holy Spirit--there is worship. If the centre is on the platform or at the front then we've moved the centre. If people aren't singing, then it's moved from worship into performance art. Another reason it might not be worship is because people are like the unlearned in 1 Corinthians 14, they don't recognize the tune and because of that cannot say "amen". That's a bad thing according to Scripture. Creativity is good, but if we are so creative that we move beyond the worshippers and their ability to enter in, we've lost worship. Another reason is that we have simply outvolumed the worshipper with amplification and electronic systems. No longer can the worshipper hear himself sing. The speakers drown him out. It's not intended to but it silences the worshipper. I think that devalues worship. Maybe a final observation about worship in our faith communities is that we've lost the idea of leading the congregation in worship. We invite people to stand, sit, lean, or "do whatever you feel to do". I think the choirs of heaven which are our doxological model are a little more disciplined than that. As a worship leader, I need you to guide me into appropriate behaviour as I worship. Inviting me to stand, or remain seated-- is guidance. Inviting me to sing quietly-- is guidance. Inviting me to praise God with a loud voice-- is guidance. Don't leave me to do what I want to do. I know where my heart is.

So, is this a diatribe? Or a lament? Or a chastisement? Or an appeal to some common sense? I appeal to the congregant. You ARE there to express ultimate glory to a Holy God. It's His expectation, not your personal gratification. I appeal to the worship leader. You are there to lead people to throne of the Holy God. It's not "their" problem if they don't worship. An old friend of mine used to remind me that a teacher hasn't truly taught until the student has truly learned. A worship leader hasn't truly led until the worshipper has truly worshipped.

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written by Naomi Pearson, March 08, 2010

I was a worship leader when worship leading just started. Things that I thought important then, I no longer do. I still value excellance in music but can we not worship through silence? Can I worship at my kitchen sink? Can I worship corporately when I hate the music? whether it be too stodgy for my taste or too riotous for my ear? We are to worship in spirit and truth. I feel the problem is we do not care what truth is but are carried along by feelings. We do not seek the truth and are happy in our lukewarm, warm fuzzy, critical hearts and choose to blaim...... the worship leader, or the band or the church when really it is our own hearts that do not know how to worship. In many cases, I believe the church has lost sight of its purpose. It is to disciple so that we can reach out to our unsaved people we brush shoulders with each day. Many churches have replaced the Word of God with artistic expression to "reach the lost".Too many today have lost sight of the lost, have become comfortable in their sin, and don't really care about the hope we have in Christ as they are too comfortable in their lives to care about eternity for themselves or others in accountability and the need to know the truth. I do not say this critically but with a broken heart.

My desire is to be a worshipper in every hour of my life. To live like I believe God cares how I do, to plan each day to be a blessing because of He who lives within me, and that I will keep my eyes fixed on the end of the story and not get caught up in a lie that will someday not matter.

I have been through the deepest pit and have come out the other side knowing without a shadow of a doubt, God does not change. He is the only thing worth putting my faith in, I am nothing without Him, I am everything because of Him, I am equipped for battle, and I win in the end.....because I can worship in spirit and truth.

Have a good one. Naomi

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