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I have served as a worship leader for a number of years and much of that time at a fairly progressive church. In my time serving as a worship leader I saw an evolution of musical style and approach to worship ministry. Ironically, I still serve on the pastoral staff of the above mentioned church that I was formerly Music Director/Worship Leader at for nearly five years. Despite the sometimes awkward attempts at forming a relationship with the folks that now do what I used to do, I find them to be sincere lovers of God. Their love for God is somehow unaffected by their musical preference. Some of these folks are even fierce intercessors that walk in the presence of God and rend the heavens with their prayers.

Perhaps to start, an analogy would be fitting on this topic. Most people (with a shred of dignity) try to wear clothes that are acceptable within the boundaries of their particular social culture. I am a child of the 80’s but I would not dare to wear the particular styles of that era today. Well, unless I was going to a costume party. If I did not progress with the clothing trends of the two decades since then I fear some would recommend me for the straight jacket or else I would be reduced to making frequent appearances on one of those cable TV shows celebrating decades gone by. We all make efforts to engage social trends whether with clothing, home décor, automobiles, hairstyles or…music. Could you imagine using the fabricated keyboard string or horn sounds that were available 15 or 20 years ago to produce your record today…? Perhaps the most definite changes in culture occur with language. The great preachers of old such as Whitfield, Edwards, and the like would almost certainly think our current vernacular to be simple-minded, contemptible and irreverent, unfit to duly present the most glorious news given to men on earth. Yet, can you imagine your pastor coming before your congregation today with an Edwardsean type sermon…? Before we snip and poke at a particular style of music I think we should perhaps take an unbiased look at why this style of church music is emerging. However interesting that might be that would make this a dissertation length piece. (Which this is seemingly already approaching.) Not to mention there are much more astute people than I who have written volumes on the topic already. Let us just suffice to say that serving the Church in the position of Musical Director or Worship Leader goes way beyond being a “fan” of a particular type of music. If that is the basis of your church music ministry you have failed before you have even begun.

The most important facet in leading a church music/worship ministry is that the music you do engages the congregation and moves them to worship. Whether that means distortion guitar, folksy and acoustic “just me and my guitar” kind of music, a gospel choir that is clappin’ and swayin’, or the melodic and majestic sounds of piano and pipe organ do not matter. If the congregation is moved to worship you are doing your job. In church music you set your particular tastes and favorites aside for the sake of the Body.

So as for our rockin’ brothers and sisters, though their music may be loud and their under developed melodies might be swallowed up by the ferocious rate of speed an electric guitar player is producing notes, their lyrics are raw and heartfelt, like a page ripped right out of the journal entry they wrote last night. There is an authenticism in their music that far exceeds the impotent lyrics and cliché phrases that I have heard for too long in the church. (Some of which I have written unfortunately…) This emerging worship music bears the marks of relationship not just a religious rhetoric spewed out by “Joe Christian.” Though some of its themes may seem spiritually or doctrinally immature I think the “old-school” folks should take note of this new paradigm in church music.

Although, to you, young zealous worship leader, as you take your guitar in hand to lead and write songs for your congregation, please, keep them in mind. Write for them…Write to them…Write about them…Just don’t forget they are there! If you neglect them they will neglect your leadership. I have seen the effects of the type of worship that is so intensely personal that it certainly penetrates the heavens but fails to communicate corporately. I have watched a congregation that I (and others) formerly lead in lively, heart-felt, participatory corporate worship shrink in number and worshipful expression as this raw, personal worship music is presented as the primary diet for the hungry hearts of worshipers. You neo-worship leader trend setters tread the same dangerous ground that your narrow-minded predecessors have. This isn’t Burger King…! You can’t always have things “your way.” Praise God for the times your musical taste buds are satisfied but praise him more when the people worship in unity. That is your role and service to your congregation. Be ever aware that of two people sitting next to one another in a meeting, one may be inwardly singing “Jesus loves me this I know, for the Bible tells me so…” while the other sings, “Prone to wander Lord, I feel it, Prone to leave the God I love…” You cannot become content with just singing your personal love song to the Lord or as I’ve heard Mike Pilavachi of Soul Survivor Watford, UK put it, “Jesus is my girlfriend” songs in the gathering of saints. There is a time for that in the context of corporate worship but for the most part save those songs for your personal time with the Lord. When you are put in front of a congregation sing songs that convey, “How good and pleasant it is when the people of God dwell together in unity…” (Ps. 133) and you will take the Church by storm.

In conclusion, no one can provide a method or style that is 100% proven in any corporate worship setting. The greatest challenge of the church musical director is the span of musical styles he/she must master. You may have a preference but that really has very little bearing on the task at hand. Get to know your congregation and speak their musical language… However many dialects you have to learn do it. You may even have to bring in interpreters if you just can’t learn to speak “Emo” but it is all for the sake of the Kingdom of God and the community of Believers so by any and all means, just do it!

Reader Comments

I agree w/ your statement, Keith, regarding the difference between what is needed in a worship service and what is appropriate for a recording. The differences are many. Primarily, a project is for listening and worship is for participation. Those are two distinctly different experiences. A recording project is to geared to take full advantage of a single sense...Hearing. Worship (when it's done well) engages multiple senses. Please realize that when I say "worship" I am not just speaking of music. If you are interested, there is a great book on that topic titled Experiential Worship. The author's name has escaped me but it is really a good read.

Thank you for your comments and affirmation of this article. Also, thank you for sending the article to some pastor friends. Pastors need to hear this message and sometimes the only way they will give any attention is if it comes from a third party or a credible resource. God bless you and your ministry...!

Aaron

Dr. Smith,
What information are you speaking of...?

Cyndi,
I'm not exactly sure what you are getting at? Could you perhaps expound a bit? In what way(s) do we need the Holy Spirit to have greater say in what is and is not done...?

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