First, I cannot help but be a little cynical as I talk about the frequent modern Protestant use of the term "worship". Let me preface this by saying that I don't intend to attack anybody with these comments, but rather just to get a point across. For example, I really like my own church a great deal, but of course no church is perfect. However, I constantly hear the phrase, "What kind of worship are we going to have?", "Let us enter into a time of worship now", "What a wonderful time of worship", etc. Of course, these phrases are almost always used in the context of music. Even the people that know better still use similar terms to describe this kind of "worship". Now, if you asked some of those people to define this word, they might use more inclusive terms. Yet the common perception is that somehow "A time of worship" is synonymous with a band singing some "Praise and Worship" songs. It has gotten to the point where I believe that several detrimental things have happened as a result.
First, my own experience has involved a lot of upbeat, modern music. In this experience, many common songs are often repeated. Sometimes these same songs are used so much that they can easily become trite and meaningless. I can't count how many times I've been singing "I could Sing Of Your Love Forever" or "Amazing Love" or others and thinking about something totally different at the same time. Of course, this is me, not everybody, and there is certainly nothing wrong with any of these songs in themselves. I think the point is clear though that any music, done too frequently, can lose whatever meaning it may have had when it was new. I firmly believe that true worship should come from the heart (See John 4:24, Matt 22:37, etc). Even if music can be used to worship God in this way, everybody will express their hearts differently to God, and singing the same songs will never accomplish this. For example, I may have more passion and heart connection with God while screaming along with the hard rock band Disciple. However, another person may love the old hymns, and their heart with God is there. Very different music, but both people are singing from their hearts.
The second aspect of musical "worship" is a tendency to make a kind of idol out of the music. It seems that churches/ministries feel like they just have to have music as a part of their presentation, or...what? People will hate them? God will smite them? I'm not sure exactly. If somebody suggested replacing music with something else, the other person will look at that person as if they were crazy. "What, not do music? What are we going to do for worship?" Maybe I stretch this a bit, but not too far. Certainly, music is nice to have, but to insist that we have it in our times together seems to say that we are a bit more focused on the music itself than the Spirit of the God it is supposed to be uplifting.
Third, but going along with "worshipping" the music, is that music can often be a distraction from other aspects of the Christian life. For example, a church wants to have a great band of musicians. This is not wrong. However, think of what all goes into making this music become reality. First, musical equipment is very expensive (I know, I play guitar) and professional gear can easily run into the thousands of dollars. Then, once a group has the gear, they have to practice. This can easily go several hours per session (Again, I know, I've done this). Finally, when it comes time for performance, the band may play/sing anywhere, on average, between three and 10 songs. This could run up to another 20-30 minutes easily. Thus, in the end, all of this music ends of being a great investment in time, money, and energy. Certainly, this is not all in vain. Much good has come out of music in the Church throughout history. However, think of it this way: If we as believers took those same thousands of dollars and many hours per week, and seriously devoted them to evangelism and relationships with others, especially unbelievers, what could we see happen? Another example: Few people realize how far American dollars will go overseas. $5 dollars can buy a Bible for Chinese Christians who desperately want to have the Word. Or a few dollars can buy a great deal of Christian literature in Asian nations. Finally, a Asian missionary can give a whole month of passionate ministry to his own people for a total of $90/month. The whole point here is this: We could reach out to the world very easily if we wished, and I think when we focus too much on things like music we neglect these other areas of our Christian duties.
Fourth, and finally for now, I believe that a lot of modern music, in contrast with many older hymns, have very little substance. I could go through my song folder and prove this. Try it yourself: take you average "worship" song and compare its lyrics with an older hymn. For example, "In Christ Alone", "Be Thou My Vision", "Come Thou Fount" and a personal favorite, written by St. Francis of Assisi, "All Creatures of Our God and King" are all wonderful hymns that have powerful, deep lyrics. I think that many - not all - modern songs lack this kind of substance. Decide for yourself.
First, my own experience has involved a lot of upbeat, modern music. In this experience, many common songs are often repeated. Sometimes these same songs are used so much that they can easily become trite and meaningless. I can't count how many times I've been singing "I could Sing Of Your Love Forever" or "Amazing Love" or others and thinking about something totally different at the same time. Of course, this is me, not everybody, and there is certainly nothing wrong with any of these songs in themselves. I think the point is clear though that any music, done too frequently, can lose whatever meaning it may have had when it was new. I firmly believe that true worship should come from the heart (See John 4:24, Matt 22:37, etc). Even if music can be used to worship God in this way, everybody will express their hearts differently to God, and singing the same songs will never accomplish this. For example, I may have more passion and heart connection with God while screaming along with the hard rock band Disciple. However, another person may love the old hymns, and their heart with God is there. Very different music, but both people are singing from their hearts.
The second aspect of musical "worship" is a tendency to make a kind of idol out of the music. It seems that churches/ministries feel like they just have to have music as a part of their presentation, or...what? People will hate them? God will smite them? I'm not sure exactly. If somebody suggested replacing music with something else, the other person will look at that person as if they were crazy. "What, not do music? What are we going to do for worship?" Maybe I stretch this a bit, but not too far. Certainly, music is nice to have, but to insist that we have it in our times together seems to say that we are a bit more focused on the music itself than the Spirit of the God it is supposed to be uplifting.
Third, but going along with "worshipping" the music, is that music can often be a distraction from other aspects of the Christian life. For example, a church wants to have a great band of musicians. This is not wrong. However, think of what all goes into making this music become reality. First, musical equipment is very expensive (I know, I play guitar) and professional gear can easily run into the thousands of dollars. Then, once a group has the gear, they have to practice. This can easily go several hours per session (Again, I know, I've done this). Finally, when it comes time for performance, the band may play/sing anywhere, on average, between three and 10 songs. This could run up to another 20-30 minutes easily. Thus, in the end, all of this music ends of being a great investment in time, money, and energy. Certainly, this is not all in vain. Much good has come out of music in the Church throughout history. However, think of it this way: If we as believers took those same thousands of dollars and many hours per week, and seriously devoted them to evangelism and relationships with others, especially unbelievers, what could we see happen? Another example: Few people realize how far American dollars will go overseas. $5 dollars can buy a Bible for Chinese Christians who desperately want to have the Word. Or a few dollars can buy a great deal of Christian literature in Asian nations. Finally, a Asian missionary can give a whole month of passionate ministry to his own people for a total of $90/month. The whole point here is this: We could reach out to the world very easily if we wished, and I think when we focus too much on things like music we neglect these other areas of our Christian duties.
Fourth, and finally for now, I believe that a lot of modern music, in contrast with many older hymns, have very little substance. I could go through my song folder and prove this. Try it yourself: take you average "worship" song and compare its lyrics with an older hymn. For example, "In Christ Alone", "Be Thou My Vision", "Come Thou Fount" and a personal favorite, written by St. Francis of Assisi, "All Creatures of Our God and King" are all wonderful hymns that have powerful, deep lyrics. I think that many - not all - modern songs lack this kind of substance. Decide for yourself.
Ok, this is all I can think of for now. I may add more later. However, this is just what I find wrong with the modern idea of "worship". I'll write the next part about what the proper, Biblical definition of worship really is. Until then, grace and peace.
Phil
Phil