Previous Challenge Entry (Level 1 – Beginner)
Topic: GRATE (11/19/15)
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TITLE: Worship or Warship? | Previous Challenge Entry
By D. Michael Newell
11/25/15 -
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I know that music is not the only part of worship, but it sure grates on more peoples’ nerves than anything else. The youth think that the old hymns belong strictly to the past, where they were sung by small groups hiding in dark caves from would-be persecutors.
The older ones in the congregation can’t understand what is being sung, as they say “for all the noise”. They don’t like the drums and some of the other instruments. After all the Apostle Paul didn’t have electric guitars. Forget that the Saxophone is less than one hundred and fifty years old. The highly repetitious phrases don’t seem to help them either.
I’ll admit that sometimes I put my hearing aids into my pocket to keep what little sanity I have left. Then I remind myself that worship is not about me, but about who Jesus is, our Lord and King.
I know that in heaven we will all worship together. So why can’t we here? Do we have to split the church because someone doesn’t like the style of the music? Do we have to have two different services based on the music we sing? Can young and old worship God together?
Perhaps if both sides understood what worship really is, we could come together in our worship and be more effective in our outreach. In the process we would see God glorified.
So, how do we bring the two sides together? Is there any way to bring them together? How do we get BOTH sides to understand the part music has to play in our corporate worship?
I believe that there is a way. And when we do come together in worship there is more glory for God.
I have been in churches that have five different languages spoken that have beautiful worship services. English is the most common language. The sermon is delivered in English. But each group likes songs in their mother tongue. Care is taken to see that no group is left out of the song time. Some songs may be common to several language groups, and everybody sing in his own language. Each group knows that they are important because they get to sing their songs.
How do they decide which songs to sing? That is the easy part. The songs are chosen on a basis of theological correctness. Therefore, the song lends themselves to worshiping God. After all, who are we worshiping?
Here are some principles that I believe will accomplish HARMONY IN WORSHIP.
1. Worship belongs to God alone.
2. Worship is not entertainment.
3. Worship is not a spectator sport. Get involved.
4. True worship comes from the heart. A heart free from sin.
5. Judge the song by its’ theology, not its’ age. (There are bad old songs and there are good new songs.)
6. True worship will unite us. (See the worshiping that takes place in the Book of Revelation.)
7. Educate your church as to what worship is: prayer, Bible reading, offerings, (yes giving back to God should be worship); as well as the music.
8. If there is a problem with the worship at church, pray about it when you are alone. God can help those responsible to see what the problem is and correct it without causing a greater problem. (Like a split in the church.) If God asks you to speak up, by all means “speak up”. Just make sure you are talking to the right person, and you have the right attitude.
“Dear Heavenly Father, help us to learn what true worship is. Lord we want to see you glorified through our worship. We truly want to be seen as the family of God. We desire unity. For we know that where there is unity, there is blessing. (Ps. 133)
“Lord help us not to offend someone with an unkind word about the worship style. Instead make us an instrument of peace, Your peace.
Lord help us to properly worship you in our private times. Help us not to lose our focus just because we are in Church. Help us to display a proper attitude of worship at all times.
“Lord we know that as we lift you up in worship that you will bring others to yourself. And the Church will become complete and you will return for us. We long to see you glorified. Amen”
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The word saxophone didn't need to be capitalized.
I was surprised to read this, as I thought the issue of church music had resolved some time ago. Nevertheless, you were able to bring a fresh approach to it. I'd have liked even more of a personal approach, perhaps through more of your own story as it relates to church music, or through the stories of actual people you've known who have had strong opinions one way or another. You hinted at that in your paragraph where you mentioned earplugs--that sort of personal touch was well done, and more of that will make your writing more compelling.
In #5 on your list, you use the word its' twice. That's not a word; you wanted the possessive its which uses no apostrophe at all (think of it like his or hers). It's with an apostrophe between the t and the s is a contraction for 'it is' or 'it has.'
Thanks for this thought-provoking article, and for your obvious desire for unity in the Body of Christ.