It still amazes me after all this time that church members, church musicians and pastors almost always want to talk about music style when you bring up the subject of worship. Because of our worship theme for the year - iworship - Intergenerational, Intercultural, and International, let's once again discuss style a bit.
Mark Epperson in his book on worship says, "If the lifestyles of worship leaders are solid, fashioned with hearts for God; if the lyrics of the song are sound doctrinally and Biblically, and can be understood; and if the leading of worship is sanctified with a sense of holiness, reverence and praise; then style of music doesn't matter." And yet, we still try today to define a church by the way in which they worship.
Style is inconsequential; however, substance is very consequential. In John 4:24, we find stated, "God is spirit; and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth." This should be our basis for true worship: spirit and truth, not style and form. Style is irrelevant; substance is relevant. Let's revisit an old favorite, "Let the word of Christ richly dwell within you, with all wisdom teaching and admonishing one another with psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with thankfulness in your hearts to God." (Col. 3:16)
First, we see the variance of style indicated in this passage, "psalms, hymns, spiritual songs". If we are to be intentionally intergenerational, intercultural, and international in our worship, the variance of style is a given.
Second, lives of worship leaders are solid, "Let the word of Christ richly dwell within you with all wisdom . . . ". All of those who lead worship: worship choir, band, orchestra, worship teams, must have a heart for God with lifestyles pleasing to Him, allowing His word to be completely at home in their hearts. If so, style doesn't matter.
Third, the lyrics must be sound, " . . . teaching and admonishing one another in psalms, hymns and spiritual songs . . ." In any teaching and admonishing ministry of the church, we are always challenged by God's word to be Biblically accurate and doctrinally sound. If so, style doesn't matter.
Fourth, the leading must be sanctified, "singing with thankfulness in your hearts to God." In our worship, the congregation are the participants, prompted by worship leaders and pastor, with God as the audience. We lead our people in worship but singing to an audience of one always. If so, style doesn't matter. Just a thought, style doesn't matter. mjm
