|
December 2003 Table of Contents
Special Feature
True Worship
By Mike Speck
What do you think the most controversial subject in Christianity currently is? Is it ordaining women into the ministry? Is it or abortion? Is it the relaxing of standards and convictions? Is it whether you can lose your salvation? All of these are controversial in certain religious circles but the most controversial--according to 100 percent of those who conduct national polls--is MUSICAL STYLE and its role in worship.
Dr. John Bisagno, former pastor of First Baptist, Houston, Texas, recently preached a wonderful sermon on the subject "True Worship." His text was from John 4. It's the story that is told in the song "There Is A River." Jesus stops at Jacob's well, in Samaria, to speak to a Samaritan woman. Soon, the story progresses to where Jesus reveals that He knows about this woman's five previous husbands and her present condition. She quickly changes the subject and starts questioning Jesus about worship (John 4:20). She makes the statement that her ancestors worshipped on the mountain where she and Jesus were sitting; yet the Jews said that Jerusalem was the proper place of worship. Is not the controversy today similar to what this woman was asking Jesus? She wanted to know the proper place of worship. Today, we want to know the proper style of worship.
Jesus said, in essence, it's not about loud or soft, standing up or sitting down, organs or drums, new or old, robes or jeans, it's about the heart! For those of us having a hard time with the new songs of praise and worship, remember that times force us to change. We are no longer riding horses and buggies; we no longer get up in the middle of the night to walk to an outhouse (well, most of us don't). We have learned that the calculator in our computers is actually quicker and usually more efficient than a pencil (and our brain). How many of you are no longer using eight tracks?
Please keep in mind that music is a very tiny part of our worship. God is far more interested in us being obedient than hearing us sing! Worship involves serving the Lord. It involves giving of our time, talent, and resources. True worship is living a life that is pleasing to the Lord, moment-by-moment and day-by-day.
What is the meaning of the word "worship"? The word "worship" comes from the "Old English" word "worth-ship." It refers to the "worth" of a person. To "worship" means to adore, to honor, to revere and yes, to praise. There is a concern on my part when a song, regardless of its music style, fails to show reverence and respect for the Lord. Our Heavenly Father, Creator God isn't "the man upstairs!"
Jesus said that the "true worshippers" will worship in sprit and in truth (John 4:23-24). Spirit is the heart, the life, the sincerity, the passion, and the willingness to obey. It is the part of us that give away our lives in reckless abandon to God. Truth is the sound doctrine of God's Holy Word. In order for music to be "worshipful," it must be emotionally charged and theologically sound.
Jesus was once asked, "What is the greatest commandment?" He answered with "thou shalt love the Lord thy God will all thy mind, all thy heart and all thy soul." The mind is the seat of knowledge, the heart is the seat of emotions, and the soul is the seat of the will or choice (in other words where we make decisions). Real worship is emotionally (with your whole heart) acting upon what you know about the Lord from willingness to obey and walk pleasing to the one whom you worship. Our worship services should not be about musical preferences. They should not be determined by what you like or don't like. It should be about the people of God coming together, with one central focus…The Lord.
Dr. John Bisagno says, "Real Worship" is from the heart, grounded in the Word, spoke (sung) through the lips, to the Lord, and lived out in the believer's life." What should we do about the new music? I know that many of you find the new worship and praise very distasteful. Can we not find ways to marry the great hymns and gospel songs to the new choruses? At the present time, I am working on a project just like that. My next choir book, which will be published by Lillenas Publishing in April of 2004, will feature just those kinds of combinations: Southern Gospel Heart songs, hymns, and choruses--all songs that will be theologically sound and emotionally stirring.
It is good to reflect on the reasons the great hymns and gospel songs are so precious to many of us. For many, they are the songs we were "raised on" and have known for all our lives. They are comfortable to us Many of the "favorite hymns" we sing have meaning and memories tied to them. Another reason why the hymns (and gospel songs) are important is their lyrical content. We older adults learned much of our theology from the great hymns of our faith.
Contemporary worship and praise is relatively new (when you consider it's been a form of worship for the past 25 to 30 years) compared to the hymns and gospel songs (that many have been sung for the past 100 years). Most are songs sung to the Lord, instead of being about the Lord. The vast majority of contemporary praise and worship music is scripture. They are nothing but the bible set to music. Many of the new converts have little history of our great hymns and gospel songs. The new worship and praise music is passionate and filled with placing trust and confidence in the only one who can bring security, hope, and consistency to a person's life. This is the style of music they understand. This is the music they have been raised on.
The Apostle Paul said I am become all things to all men, so that I might by all means win some. If we are going to communicate with any one in our culture, old or young, we will have to talk and sing to them in their language.
Once again, I humbly ask worship leaders and pastors to remember the diversity of those in your congregations and give yourselves too much prayer as to how you can provide opportunity for worship to everyone. It is a serious responsibility. You are to lead the entire flock of God to a place where they can truly worship. I love you and know your task is not easy. You saints in the pew…be patient!
Back to Top
|
