"Praise the LORD! For it is good to sing praises to our God; for it is pleasant, and a song of praise is fitting." (Psalm 147:1 ESV)
I've been leading worship for almost half of my life, and I've come across and held many different viewpoints and experiences of worship during this time. This entry is going to be mainly from my point of view as a worship leader, but I hope you will still read this and grow in your relationship with the Lord.
I think there are many misconceptions when it comes to musical praise and worship. We have a problem with pride and selfishness, and our culture doesn't help us restrain that part of our lives.
Misconception #1-The culture of American Christianity tells me as a worship leader to choose songs for a worship set that will give the congregation a worshipful experience. Now there are two types of worship experiences: worshipping God and worshipping the experience. The latter of the two is what this culture wants me to engage in because it usually brings forth a larger response, but the Bible gives a different instruction. Hopefully you read the verse at the beginning of this entry. You will notice that is says it is good to sing songs to the Lord because it is pleasant. In other words, it's a great experience to sing songs to God, but there's another piece of this puzzle we need to connect. The last part of that verse says "a song of praise is fitting." It is a pleasant thing to sing praises to God because it is the right thing to do. It is a right response for us to sing praises to God, and when we are enjoying Him for who He is, it is pleasant for us. We are blessed by blessing God! What a concept! Don't sing worship songs to be blessed. Sing to worship God and you will be blessed!
Misconception #2- With that being said, another misconception of worship music is the idea that singing man-centered songs to God is actually worshipping God. After all, we are singing to God, right? Let's look at this closer. This somewhat stems from the previous misconception. Are we worshipping God to worship His excellent greatness or to make us feel warm and fluffy on the inside? Let me make sure I'm making myself clear. You can sing to God and feel good because you are enjoying Him, but you can also sing to God and feel good because you are enjoying the song or experience. There is a huge difference between these two. What glory does God get out of the latter? God is glorified through songs of praise, adoration, of telling of His works in our lives, and of prayer. But when we start worshipping God with songs about us to get something out of it, that is when actually stop worshipping God and start worshipping ourselves. We are stealing God's glory. That is a scary thought...
Misconception #3- I think one of the worst mistakes a worship leader and Christian can make is sing songs without understanding the meaning of the lyrics. Yeah, it might have a cool chorus, melody, or beat, but if you don't understand what you're singing, why on earth are you singing it!? Take time to understand what you are singing. Make sure it lines up with Scripture.
To my worship leader friends, if you can't explain the meaning of a song and back it up with Scripture, biblical principles, theology, or doctrine, you have no business leading that song. Period. I've wondered if God will group us in with pastors and teachers for a stricter judgement. After all, we are teaching theology and doctrine to the Church, right? That's another scary thought...
Misconception #4- Have you ever picked up a hymnal and read some of the hymns? Compare those hymns to songs today. It's as if we thought we needed to dumb down theology and doctrine in our worship songs today. Those hymns of old are filled with deep theology and doctrine! Look at these next few lyrics from almost any hymnal you can pick up, "A mighty fortress is our God. A bulwark never failing" and "What a friend we have in Jesus. All our sins and griefs to bear. What a privilege to carry everything to God in prayer." How beautiful and deep are those words! Sing songs of deep theology and doctrine to your God, Christian! Now there are songs that are very simple and speak great truth that bring just as much glory to God as the deep theological hymns. All I'm saying is please don't neglect great songs of theology and doctrine, old or contemporary. They are such a blessing to sing!
Misconception #5- So many people and denominations argue about how their style of music is the only way worship music should be played. Worship music doesn't have to be of a particular genre to be worship. People have different preferences when it comes to music. Get over it and just accept the fact that people worship to different styles of music all around the world, and as long as people are glorifying God, enjoying Him for who He is, and not stealing attention from God, then God is pleased with that. I have my preferences of style when it comes to worship music and yours may be different, but we are still brothers and sisters in Christ. We are one body united by faith in Christ. One day when we stand before the throne of God it won't matter what our musical preferences were because the worship music in heaven will be so wonderful and awesome we will say that that music is the best genre for worship. What a day that will be!
Finally, I want to leave my worship leader friends a thought to chew on. The next time you lead the Church into worship ask yourself this, "Do I want people walking away saying 'the music was really cool today. I was really blessed by it...' or 'I'm so glad God has blessed me and I am able to express my gratitude and bless Him...'?"
Blessings,
Nick
