Slaying The Beast

Below is my response to some friends of mine on a worship leader forum that were having a discussion on whether or not churches should offer different services with different musical styles.


Which style of worship does God prefer?

Classical, Chant, Hip Hop, Jazz, Loud, Soft, Complex, Simple, Organs, Guitars, Choirs, Soloists, Eastern, Western, Opera, Country...????


We have created a consumer Christianity monster with our segregated worship. We have made worship about our wants, desires, preferences and conceptions and not about gospel-centered, cross-focused, biblically based corporate gatherings. We have become hypocritical pharisees and tell people that worship is all about God from the pulpit, but then, with our actions, we communicate that worship is really all about them. In fact we believe it so much that we will create a service with ANY style they ask for if we have enough people that demand it. If we want to slay that beast and create a more biblical culture we have to stop defining what church we attend with adjectives like emergent, modern, contemporary and traditional. The gospel unifies the body of Christ - it does not divide.

Every church has a musical center that they orientate around, but the word that describes that center should not be the label we attach to promote our church gatherings. The only word I find in the Bible consistently attached to worship is GOD or a name referring to Him - not a style, method, demonstration, activity, or organization.

In fact - New Testament worship revolves around the reading of God's Word, prayer, exhortation, encouragement, sharing meals together, encouraging one another - the edification of the Body! And the only description of music we find useful to a corporate setting in the NT is when Paul exhorts us to "sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs" (Eph. 5:19, Col. 3:16).

How can the Body be edified when it is separated and divided seeking to satisfy it's own personal desires rather than putting others interests ahead of their own?

I wonder what Paul would have to say to us if he were here in this discussion?

"Beloved - why are you so concerned with meaningless quarrels over musical styles. Is God not infinite? What musical style is there that can, by itself, capture the profound and complete mystery of the Divine? Brothers, do not be mislead into the deceptive thinking that some would have you believe about musical styles. For they say, "This style is better and reaches more people", and, "I prefer this style because it's what I'm used to." No, you gather in the name of the Lord at the foot of the cross celebrating the gospel in which we ALL find forgiveness and redemption. Set aside your petty differences and let the world see the power of the gospel as it unifies and cleanses His bride."

or maybe not...