We are all different and music that draws one of us closer to God may not draw another. This is fine when we are listening to worship music daily on our own. However, what do we do when we gather together to worship with others which is what we call corporate worship? Because now we have the person who likes fast music, the person who likes slow music, the person who likes country, the person who likes opera, the person who likes jazz, the person who likes rock n’ roll, the person who likes easy listening, and so on all under one roof trying to worship together. And where ever we have people gathered together, we have problems!
We tend to forget that when we gather together in a church environment it is a shared experience. We don’t come just for our benefit but the benefit of others – the fellowship of the saints. Corporate worship is for everyone gathered together, not just us.
Now the purpose of this blog is not to put us on a guilt trip if we gravitate towards a church that has the kind of music we like. However here are a few points to help us think about corporate worship in a different way.
Two People Can Be at the Same Event and Feel Entirely Different About It
Just because a worship service isn’t touching us, doesn’t mean it isn’t touching the heart of others. Not every song sung will be our favorite but it might be someone else’s favorite. Remember that corporate worship is a shared experience. Most of us think God likes what we like in music. That may be true, but guess what? He likes what the other guy likes, too. And how do we know the songs sung we didn’t like were not some of God’s favorites?
Not All Change Is Bad
Just because that’s the way we’ve always done it doesn’t mean that’s the way it should always be done. Models for corporate worship are just that – models. The format we use is not holy. We don’t worship the format or the model. The same applies to new songs. The old songs we sing are not holier that the new songs or vice versa.
Be Careful in Judging Someone’s Motive in Worship
Worship is a heart thing. God may be convicting someone’s heart to lift his hands, another to cry, another to move joyously – all at the same time singing the same song. As individuals we express ourselves in different ways. It’s okay. God made us that way. Everyone doesn’t need to raise hands. Everyone doesn’t need to clap. The danger is when we judge others who do or those who don’t.
Just because someone isn’t very expressive or demonstrative when they worship doesn’t mean they aren’t spiritual. Just because people sit during worship instead of stand doesn’t mean they are less spiritual. They might just be tired, or old, or sick. God knows the hearts of others and we don’t.
Think About What Is Sung But Don’t Dissect It
The melody might be nice but it’s the words that carrying the meaning. We need to think about what we sing so we can absorb the words and what they mean. Some love the old hymns, but sometimes we know them so well we go on auto pilot when we sing. New songs keep us alert. And if you don’t know the music you can still absorb the words.
Songs should be theologically sound but some get hung up on the use of a word or phrase even though it might be biblical. We forget that the Bible is in many ways a metaphor – God as a Father, a King, a Rock. We know God is not a literal rock. Bible authors took metaphorical and poetic license and so do song writers. Do the songs honor God, or give him praise and adoration, and thanksgiving? Are the songs about God and what he’s done and who he is? Do they tell the story of the Christian and why he/she loves God? Do they speak of our forefathers and lessons learned? Just remember, if you dissect everything, you end up with nothing.
Shift from What Pleases Us to What Pleases God
Believe it or not, God should be our focal point, not us. We must shift our emphasis from whether we are pleased to whether or not God is pleased.
Worship isn’t about us and our feelings. We don’t worship because we feel like it. That’s why we are admonished in 1 Thessalonians 5:15-18 to give thanks all the time – not just when we feel like it. Rejoice all the time – not just when we feel like it. Pray all the time – not just when we feel like it. Worship is the same way. We choose to worship. We can choose not to get so caught up in our likes and dislikes during corporate worship that we don’t focus on the one it’s all about! Worship is about GOD!
Conclusion
Today we live in the era of the individual. It’s a me, me, me society and this definitely spills over into churches. The emphasis in churches is no longer meeting with a community of fellow believers. Somewhere it all went wrong. Church became about the building, the preacher, the talent, the church’s ability to meet our needs and the music. Many churches now exist to entertain us and make us feel good. They are no longer gathering places where we can worship together, pray together, serve, share and give of our lives, gifts, and talents to others – all for the glory of God.
