What is worship?
As a member of a praise team, and someone that aspires to be a worship leader, I always thought I knew what the term worship meant. When I think of worship I see people with hands raised singing to the Lord with all of their hearts, hearts broken with pure passion and full adoration. However, after reading various literature, and participating in multiple university courses, I've come to question exactly what the definition of worship is.
After attending a university music appreciation course, my eyes were opened to the many different possibilities that were available musically, and the historic past of some of my favourite songs. As we studied all different types of music, from the historic Gregorian chants to the previously glorified hymns to the undeniable power of a full orchestra, I found a few questions arise concerning what worship is, and certain aspects that constitute our current stereotype of worship.
At first, my pondering was centered around the style of music that provoked worship. My personal experience is that my definition of worship can only occur with contemporary songs that include synth, piano, guitars, e.t.c. Bands such as Jesus Culture, and Hillsong United are the best examples of this genre of worship. However, after listening to the first musical records we have of chants that constituted the worship of the churches of old, I was challenged to perhaps see a bigger picture. Impacting me even more was learning about how many of the hymns I experience at church were so important to the worship experience only a few decades ago! The style of music has nothing to do with the worship experience, as can be proven by history. The same worship can be offered to the Lord whether it be sparked by chants, hymns, or song. Worship goes much deeper than music style.
I also held the thought process that only unflawed music could produce an atmosphere of worship. Over the past few years, many mentors have helped showed me the falseness of this statement. Worship has nothing to do with the skill, or perfectness of the piece being played. While it can influence us, worship again is more powerful, digging within our own personal desires and emotions for the Lord. The music being played, and the words being sung are only a method of helping us draw closer to God.
This brings up another point. Is worship solely centered around music? If indeed worship goes beyond the notes, and words being sung, it would follow that it can also reach to the happenings of life, the artistic expression of people, and the gratitude and emotions offered up by humble servants. I believe worship can also be shown when someone paints a picture, when someone writes a story, or even when someone falls on their knees and cries out to God.
I have come to believe that worship is the act of praising God, thanking Him for everything He has done, but also more than that. It's the act of submission, the act of offering our gifts to Him, pleading with Him, asking of God, and above all else, showing Him our love. I believe worship should be prevalent in every area of our life, not just the musical experience on a Sunday morning.
In conclusion, worship isn't simply music, or something that happens while others play songs for us. Rather, it is the everyday expression of our discipleship and fellowship with the Lord. Music is an excellent tool to help us drawing into the attitude of worship, and refresh our use of praise, but it cannot be relied on as the sole method. The importance of musical worship cannot be stressed enough, but perhaps it is time we expand our horizons, and look to include worship in every area of our lives, to transform the way we live.
