Worship FAQs, part 4 – What is the role of music in worship?
In the Bible, music is regularly mentioned in connection with both public worship services and also people’s private worship lives. In the Old Testament Bible stories, in the books of the poets and prophets, in images of heaven, in Paul’s letters, and in the life and ministry of Jesus, music was understood as a natural part of being both human and also God’s child.
To properly understand music’s role in our worship, we must first correct some misperceptions that are promoted in the media. First, music is not something God only gives to certain people. Music is God’s gift to all people. To be sure, some people have been given more musical talent than others, but this does not mean music is only for the ones with more talent. Music is for all people, especially in God’s family. All people are musical (at least a little), and all people can grow in their musical skills.
Second, music is about more than just performance or entertainment. Music is about communicating in ways language alone cannot, especially when the message we want to communicate is God’s message. Music is also about strengthening relationships in families and communities and about connecting with other believers in our church, around the world, and across the ages.
Third, music in worship is not intended to market Jesus, the faith, or our church. It is not primarily about attracting people, getting people excited, or making people want to come back to worship again. Only God’s Word truly has the power to do these things, so the primary goal of music is to connect people to Jesus through his Word, whether through songs we sing with our children at home, songs we listen to at work or in the car, or songs we choose for worship services in our congregation.
Speaking of worship services, the music selected should usually be familiar or relatively easy to catch on to, so that it does not become a distraction from Christ and his Word. More difficult music can still be included by using choirs or soloists. However, all believers are priests with direct access to God, so as often as possible, the worshipers should be directly involved in the music.
Exact styles of music for worship are not prescribed by God, but picking the “correct” style of music for worship services is not as simple as some would like it to be. Future editions of this column will discuss in more detail this question of how to select styles of music for worship.
Most importantly, all music in our lives of worship will bring glory to Christ by connecting people to his Word. God bless your music-ing for Jesus!
Sunday, December 20, 2009
Wednesday, November 25, 2009
What makes up Christian worship?
Worship FAQs, part 3 – What makes up Christian worship?
The specific way Christians worship is not prescribed for us in Scripture. In reality, Christian worship has taken and can take many forms. No matter what form true Christian worship takes, however, there are some definite elements that will always be included.
In Christian worship, God is the chief actor. He is the focus, in the Word and Sacraments. In worship, God’s Word is read, recited, sung, and explained in its truth and purity. God’s Word is where Christ, the chief cornerstone of the Church comes to us personally. God’s Word, correctly divided into Law and Gospel, shows us who we truly are and what we truly need. God’s Word is where we find the strength to go out and share God’s love in our daily lives.
God’s Word gives the washing of Baptism its power and makes it a source of rich blessings. True Christian worship highlights this washing, whether it is actually celebrated in a given worship service or simply remembered in the invocation and confession and absolution of sins.
God’s Word unites the bread and wine in the Lord’s Supper with the true body and blood of Christ. True Christian worship highlights this foretaste of heaven; for that reason, more and more Christian churches around the world are returning to the historical practice of celebrating the Lord’s Supper in every regular worship service.
Where these essential elements are at their best, we will always find other closely related elements, as well. Prayers and thanksgiving are the natural results of listening to God’s Word and joyfully receiving the blessings of the Sacraments. Music plays an integral role not only in our response to God’s Word, but first and foremost in our proclaiming of that Word. Patterns in worship, such as familiar liturgies, focus us on God and his actions on our behalf instead of on the worship itself or on the worshipers or on “what I got out of worship this week.” Christian worship recognizes that an assembly of believers, whether large or small, provides encouragement we cannot find in our personal worship lives. That assembly of believers participates actively in the speaking and singing of worship as part of the “priesthood of all believers.” Worship is guided by a skilled and dedicated shepherd, or what we call a pastor. And worship ends with the sending of the people out into the world.
While exact forms of Christian worship vary greatly from place to place, all true Christian worship includes these essential and closely related elements.
Reference: Lathrop, Gordon. What are the essentials of Christian worship? Augsburg Fortress: 1998.
The specific way Christians worship is not prescribed for us in Scripture. In reality, Christian worship has taken and can take many forms. No matter what form true Christian worship takes, however, there are some definite elements that will always be included.
In Christian worship, God is the chief actor. He is the focus, in the Word and Sacraments. In worship, God’s Word is read, recited, sung, and explained in its truth and purity. God’s Word is where Christ, the chief cornerstone of the Church comes to us personally. God’s Word, correctly divided into Law and Gospel, shows us who we truly are and what we truly need. God’s Word is where we find the strength to go out and share God’s love in our daily lives.
God’s Word gives the washing of Baptism its power and makes it a source of rich blessings. True Christian worship highlights this washing, whether it is actually celebrated in a given worship service or simply remembered in the invocation and confession and absolution of sins.
God’s Word unites the bread and wine in the Lord’s Supper with the true body and blood of Christ. True Christian worship highlights this foretaste of heaven; for that reason, more and more Christian churches around the world are returning to the historical practice of celebrating the Lord’s Supper in every regular worship service.
Where these essential elements are at their best, we will always find other closely related elements, as well. Prayers and thanksgiving are the natural results of listening to God’s Word and joyfully receiving the blessings of the Sacraments. Music plays an integral role not only in our response to God’s Word, but first and foremost in our proclaiming of that Word. Patterns in worship, such as familiar liturgies, focus us on God and his actions on our behalf instead of on the worship itself or on the worshipers or on “what I got out of worship this week.” Christian worship recognizes that an assembly of believers, whether large or small, provides encouragement we cannot find in our personal worship lives. That assembly of believers participates actively in the speaking and singing of worship as part of the “priesthood of all believers.” Worship is guided by a skilled and dedicated shepherd, or what we call a pastor. And worship ends with the sending of the people out into the world.
While exact forms of Christian worship vary greatly from place to place, all true Christian worship includes these essential and closely related elements.
Reference: Lathrop, Gordon. What are the essentials of Christian worship? Augsburg Fortress: 1998.
Saturday, October 24, 2009
Why worship?
Worship FAQs, part 2 – Why worship?
The question of “Why worship?” takes us back to the foundations of our faith, for worship is central to our faith. As discussed last month, the entire Christian life can be wrapped up in the word worship. And worship services follow closely then as a central activity of our renewed lives as God’s children.
God’s Word says it best: “In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth. … Then God said, ‘Let us make man in our image.’ … Male and female he created them. God blessed them. … God saw all that he had made, and it was very good” (Genesis 1, selected verses). “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. … Through him all things were made. … In him was life, and that life was the light of men. … The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory” (John 1, selected verses).
“All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23). “Whoever keeps the whole law and yet stumbles at just one point is guilty of breaking all of it” (James 2:10). “The wages of sin is death” (Romans 6:23). “But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us” (Romans 5:8). “The gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Romans 6:23).
“So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live in him … overflowing with thankfulness” (Colossians 2:6-7). “Sing to the Lord a new song, for he has done marvelous things; his right hand and his holy arm have worked salvation for him” (Psalm 98:1). “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God” (Colossians 3:16). “Sing and make music in your heart to the Lord, always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ” (Ephesians 5:19-20).
“Remember the Sabbath day by keeping it holy” (Exodus 20:8). “I rejoiced with those who said to me, ‘Let us go to the house of the Lord’” (Psalm 122:1). “Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us [meet to] encourage one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching” (Hebrews 10:25).
There we have it! A life of worship, built out of regular attendance at worship services. And we gladly say with the hymn writer, “Were the whole realm of nature mine, That were a tribute far too small; Love so amazing, so divine, Demands my soul, my life, my all” (Hymn 125:4).
The question of “Why worship?” takes us back to the foundations of our faith, for worship is central to our faith. As discussed last month, the entire Christian life can be wrapped up in the word worship. And worship services follow closely then as a central activity of our renewed lives as God’s children.
God’s Word says it best: “In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth. … Then God said, ‘Let us make man in our image.’ … Male and female he created them. God blessed them. … God saw all that he had made, and it was very good” (Genesis 1, selected verses). “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. … Through him all things were made. … In him was life, and that life was the light of men. … The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory” (John 1, selected verses).
“All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23). “Whoever keeps the whole law and yet stumbles at just one point is guilty of breaking all of it” (James 2:10). “The wages of sin is death” (Romans 6:23). “But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us” (Romans 5:8). “The gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Romans 6:23).
“So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live in him … overflowing with thankfulness” (Colossians 2:6-7). “Sing to the Lord a new song, for he has done marvelous things; his right hand and his holy arm have worked salvation for him” (Psalm 98:1). “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God” (Colossians 3:16). “Sing and make music in your heart to the Lord, always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ” (Ephesians 5:19-20).
“Remember the Sabbath day by keeping it holy” (Exodus 20:8). “I rejoiced with those who said to me, ‘Let us go to the house of the Lord’” (Psalm 122:1). “Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us [meet to] encourage one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching” (Hebrews 10:25).
There we have it! A life of worship, built out of regular attendance at worship services. And we gladly say with the hymn writer, “Were the whole realm of nature mine, That were a tribute far too small; Love so amazing, so divine, Demands my soul, my life, my all” (Hymn 125:4).
Wednesday, September 23, 2009
What is worship?
Worship FAQs, part 1 – What is worship?
A good of definition of worship is showing how much something is worth to you. We are constantly worshiping as we make decisions about how to spend our time and money, how to use our talents and abilities, and where to put the focus of our minds and priorities. God commands us to show in our every action and decision that he is worth more to us than anything else in all creation. This is our daily “worth-ship, and we carry it out as we put God first in our conversations with others, our planning of our weekends, our budgeting of our bank accounts, our regular reading of our Bibles, our raising of our children, and our choices for entertainment. Jesus reminds us, “You cannot serve both God and money [or any other created thing]” (Matthew 6:24). Because of sin, we daily worship many created things more than our Creator. But because of God’s rich grace and mercy in Christ Jesus, God forgives our sinful worship of created things, cleanses our daily worship of our Creator and Redeemer, and grants us power to improve our daily worship.
So then, if worship takes place every day—indeed every moment— of our lives, then what makes worship services so special? We often call them by the nickname “worship,” and they are indeed an extension of the worship that takes place in our daily lives. But worship services are also unique and special in many ways.
Worship services connect us directly with the only source of power and strength that helps us improve our daily worship—the Gospel—along with the Law of God, which leads us to treasure that Gospel. We are “not ashamed of the Gospel, because it [and it alone] is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes” (Romans 1:16). In worship services, that life-giving Gospel permeates the Scripture lessons and Sacraments, is explained and applied in the sermon and liturgy, and is responded to in the music and prayers. In worship services, special encouragement is passed among the worshipers as we are reminded that we are part of a vast family of believers, many of whom are already enjoying eternity with Jesus, and all of whom will gather together around Christ’s throne very soon for the ultimate worship experience. In worship services, we are reminded of Christ’s resurrection and his promise to take us to be with him. In worship services, God brings us the closest to Heaven that we can possibly get while on Earth.
So, look forward to worship services as God uses them to strengthen each of us for our daily life of worship!
A good of definition of worship is showing how much something is worth to you. We are constantly worshiping as we make decisions about how to spend our time and money, how to use our talents and abilities, and where to put the focus of our minds and priorities. God commands us to show in our every action and decision that he is worth more to us than anything else in all creation. This is our daily “worth-ship, and we carry it out as we put God first in our conversations with others, our planning of our weekends, our budgeting of our bank accounts, our regular reading of our Bibles, our raising of our children, and our choices for entertainment. Jesus reminds us, “You cannot serve both God and money [or any other created thing]” (Matthew 6:24). Because of sin, we daily worship many created things more than our Creator. But because of God’s rich grace and mercy in Christ Jesus, God forgives our sinful worship of created things, cleanses our daily worship of our Creator and Redeemer, and grants us power to improve our daily worship.
So then, if worship takes place every day—indeed every moment— of our lives, then what makes worship services so special? We often call them by the nickname “worship,” and they are indeed an extension of the worship that takes place in our daily lives. But worship services are also unique and special in many ways.
Worship services connect us directly with the only source of power and strength that helps us improve our daily worship—the Gospel—along with the Law of God, which leads us to treasure that Gospel. We are “not ashamed of the Gospel, because it [and it alone] is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes” (Romans 1:16). In worship services, that life-giving Gospel permeates the Scripture lessons and Sacraments, is explained and applied in the sermon and liturgy, and is responded to in the music and prayers. In worship services, special encouragement is passed among the worshipers as we are reminded that we are part of a vast family of believers, many of whom are already enjoying eternity with Jesus, and all of whom will gather together around Christ’s throne very soon for the ultimate worship experience. In worship services, we are reminded of Christ’s resurrection and his promise to take us to be with him. In worship services, God brings us the closest to Heaven that we can possibly get while on Earth.
So, look forward to worship services as God uses them to strengthen each of us for our daily life of worship!
Monday, August 24, 2009
Overview
My plan is to cover some worship and music topics in the form of FAQs. Below is a tentative list (subject to change) of FAQs I would like to cover. If you have additional topics you would like me to cover, or if you would like suggestions for additional reading, please let me know.
What is worship?
- In my personal worship life
- In a worship service
Why worship?
- Our great need
- God’s great worth
What makes up a worship service?
- The Gospel is central, in both Word and Sacraments
- Closely related elements
What is music’s role in worship?
- In a worship service
- In my personal worship life
What communication goes on during worship?
- Between God and me
- Between me and the other worshipers
What does “liturgical worship” mean?
- Narrow definition: a historical form of worship
- Wide definition: worship is the work of the people
How is flow important to a worship service? What disrupts this?
- Flow allows God to be the focus
- Many things can disrupt the flow of a worship service
Why don’t worship forms and styles change more quickly? OR Why do they have to change at all?
- Worship forms and styles do constantly change
- Worship forms and styles don’t change quickly
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