Line up any ten Christians and you will likely get 15 opinions about what makes something worship. Most will connect worship with music although some will quickly say that it is way more than just a song. They might even quote Matt Redman while they make their point.
If you would ask most Christians, especially those in Pentecostal or Charismatic churches, they would tell you that there is resurgence in worship music in America's churches. Many feel that people are getting set free from stogy hymn books and songs that stifle expression. They would point to all the "worship" albums that are available today as just one sign of America's desire to connect with God and worship Him through song.
But not everyone feels that way about modern "worship" music. Clay McLean, a teacher and Christian counselor, has a different view. In a recent article, Clay wrote about a crisis in worship, and he made some good points along the way. He did not criticize style as much as the heart of worship today and the lack of Biblical truth guiding it.
Here are some statements that he made:
"The focus of nearly every song is not on the Great Eternal God above us, but on the singer's inner psyche."
"Hymns are for the purpose of declaring and embracing truth. And seeking to put such songs to a musical style which diminished the power of the voices declaring the lyrics is a terrible diminishing of the purpose of hymns. For a lesser example that might offer a clear picture, try to imagine the singing of the national anthem to a disco beat, or taps to an overblown rhythm track?"
"Much of what is offered today will not last. It may have meaning for a time, but it will not endure the years, for it does not contain the reality of the eternal that would give it longevity."
"We are to stand in the ancient paths, and at the same time, sing a new song from the Spirit to our hurting generation."
Clay made some great points although some of them seem a bit overstated. Sure, there are a lot of songs without much spiritual depth to them these days. And hymns put to a techno beat do seem to lose some of the reverence that a more classical approach has. But I do believe that some song writers have focused on the greatness of God's glory and character. And at least kids are rediscovering the beauty of the ancient words in hymns even if the melodies are being updated to reflect modern music styles.
The places where music has gone astray really reflects the idolatry and self-centered approach of Western Christianity. If worship music focuses on man more than God, that is simply just a symptom of a deeper problem that extends way beyond just music.
Just for full disclosure, I happen to love hymns and contemporary worship. My favorite tool to help me worship God in song and prayer is an old Salvation Army hymnal. I carry it with me all over the place. The songs, prayers and responsive readings in the book are full of truth. And it is truth about God that should guide our worship. Music and emotion can move our souls, but only God's truth can truly change us.
My most vivid musical worship experience happened around a bonfire in Kenya. Most of the songs were sung in Swahili. I didn't know the lyrics. But it was the unity around Christ that made the experience so powerful. No matter the tempo or words, worship loses its way when it becomes about anything other than Jesus.
Clay's statement about standing in the ancient paths while singing a new song in the Spirit for this hurting generation hits the bull’s eye. It's not about who has the better music. It's about how we can learn from each other while focusing on Christ as the object of our worship.
