There was a book that came out years ago called Worship Evangelism. It had some really great, thought provoking principles and concepts that we needed to hear in the worshipping community. However, I want to enlarge a bit on it and maybe take things in a different direction. These are my thoughts. I want to touch on the intercultural part of our worship theme this year.
First of all, music in general is intercultural. Music tends to bridge gaps between different cultures and different sub-cultures. Music is one of the most obvious worship elements for most people. It speaks across cultural lines, across music tastes, across preferences - if we allow it to.
One reason we can't just sing all hymns in our churches today, even though that might be my own preference, is because we have people coming into our worship center who need to hear that, but also need to hear something that is more akin to their musical ear. I am not getting into the weeds of "bringing the world's music into the church", and I do think we have to be very careful at that point; but I do think we have to give something that they are comfortable enough with that they leave singing a phrase or two from something they have heard in worship. God can use that in their lives throughout the next week. We must walk a fine line between being responsive to the culture around us without literally bringing the "world's" music into the church. This would be something I would term a worship evangelism approach or principle.
Second, I still believe that the principle found in Psalm 40:1-3 still applies to our worship. I think just as important as to style of music or kinds of sounds is what they see in the lives of believers when a seeker or non-believer comes into our worship services. It very clearly states in this passage that the redemptive work of the Lord is seen in our lives as we sing to Him. It also shows that we keep singing that song no matter what is going on in our lives, the good and the bad. They need to see us faithfully singing because the verse says plainly that when they see us "sing the song" they will fear and put their trust in the Lord. That is the bottom line to worship evangelism. As I have said, in worship we are being watched by not only our children, generation to generation, but also we are being watched by the seeker who needs to find redemption through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Our responsibility in worship is to be faithful to sing to Him that all may know! So, let's stretch and sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs in many varied musical languages for His glory! mjm
