What is the role of music in worship?

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!