Worship "Can You Hear Me Now?"

I recently visited a local church for the first time and I was impressed with the friendliness of the brothers and sisters. They went out of their way to make me feel welcomed and to know that I was welcome to come back when I could. They are good people and we have the bond of Jesus that brings us together.

The service started and we had the normal greetings and announcements. The praise group then went to the front to lead us in worship. The first song was unknown to me but they had the words on the screen. Several people had been given tambourines in the congregation which was fitting in that the first song was about playing the tambourines to the Lord, the song was a catchy Jewish sounding song. The group then moved into a spirited and loud song that seemed to move seamlessly into another song and then another. After about an hour we came to the end of the praise and worship time (there was nothing but music). I must say that there were only two distinguishing things that stood out in my mind. 1. The music was Loud and 2. I did not know any of the songs. Oh did I mention that it was Loud... Yes I am old. I played rock music in my younger days and I have worked with a jackhammer so I know when something is loud. My purpose with this post is not to debate the appropriateness of the type or volume of the music we use in worship, but to think about the teaching albeit subliminal that real worship can only take place with a praise band and high emotional expressions. Vance Havner once said, "It is not how high you jump the pew but how straight you land!"

I realize that worship practice has a lot to do with culture and tradition and unfortunately with fads. You know what I mean, you hear someone sing a hit song and they have an unusual or new sound and then the next thing you know the airwaves are awash with copycat singers. It's a passing fad and soon there will be another sound. This happens in the church also, the worship leaders that feel compelled to be part cheerleader while the congregation is singing, the holy vocabulary we use or the emotional way we whip up the congregation.

This brings me to Church Planting, will churches that feel that worship consist of a praise band, backup singers and a worship leader ever be able to plant non-traditional churches in homes,storefronts or other locations?

Some of the richest corporate worship experiences I have experienced have been in small groups in near silence. It is my opinion that many times loud emotional music is an escape so that we will not hear the "still small voice". In my experience the Holy Spirit does not shout but speaks softly through His Word.

What is Worship? Does it always include music? Read the following article that concerns the background of the song When the Music Fades by Matt Redman.  It is well worth your time.
http://www.higherpraise.com/worship/worship_whenthemusicfades.htm  



Grace,
Michael