The Greatness of Worship tagged: ,

The Greatness of Worship

Posted by in Bible & Theology, Church & Missions

Allow me to share with you something from my wife’s pen.  Tina is a worship leader, a song-writer, a teacher, a music therapist, and an author.  Of course the role that I like best is that she has been my wife for the past twenty-four years.  –Dave Samples

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Worship ministers have a great responsibility. There is the strain of trying to match the music with the sermon. There is the tension of trying to please members of a congregation who want the music done their way. “Wow!” I said to myself. “How can I possibly do this?” As a Music Therapist, I have spent many hours studying how music affects the mind. I have spent countless hours working with students, adults, and senior adults where music has been used to achieve certain non-musical goals. I have used music to change behaviors, increase mobility, speech, and language skills. I have used music to lower heart rate and blood pressure, to manage pain, and as an outlet for someone taking their last breath.

When I first started leading worship, I suddenly found myself staring at a group of people who would not engage in worship. Many would stand with their arms folded and lips pursed. Their eyes were glossed over as if in a trance. After visiting many churches, I came to understand that our church was not the only church struggling with clinched arms and tight lips. “Why?” I asked myself. Why is it so difficult to achieve the goals I am looking for when I face the congregation each Sunday? I pondered this question with several of my friends and through it allowed God to speak to me.

First – I realized that my worship should be directed toward God and God alone. It must be pure and authentic. I must choose to worship with all of my being. I would lead in worship by becoming the “lead worshiper.”

Second – I must allow God to do the work. As a Music Therapist, I set the goals and objectives, I charted the progress, I noticed the negative behaviors, and I made the changes happen. God was certainly teaching me that these are his people and they are not under my authority.

Third – As a worship leader, I knew that I would never be able to please everyone during worship, especially when we have a blended service. There are those that prefer only hymns and there are others who would love nothing more than to sing the never ending choruses. We each have different areas of music and worship that move us. We each are at different levels spiritually; therefore our worship experience will be different.

Music does affect us tremendously. However, there is still a sense of responsibility on our part to allow God to take full control of where we are the moment we walk into his presence. Worship is, after all, something between you and the Lord, not you and the worship team. If we choose to enter with folded arms and pursed lips then we will miss out on the beauty and splendor of entering into the presence of the Lord. Worship is allowing God to have whatever you are carrying at that moment. Worship is rejoicing over the God that can do all things in your life. Worship is loving with your whole heart the one that loves you far greater than you can imagine. Worship is focusing on the High priest at all times and not the fact that you may or may not like that song. My desire, as I prepare for worship, is to be able to provide something for everyone. I would love to place within the service a time when each person in the congregation makes a connection with the Lord at some point. For some, it may be at the start when they stand and proclaim before everyone, The Joy of the Lord is My Strength. Others may make the connection during that prayer time when they need to feel covered and prayed over and they whisper, “Jesus Draw Me Close.” Others may need a moment when they can say, “Knowing You God, There is No Greater Thing,” and “Lord, Holiness is What I Long For.” And there will be those that need to be reminded of how He died on The Old Rugged Cross for them so that they could experience His Amazing Grace. There will be a time when those tired from their week can close their eyes, take in a deep breath, and say to themselves, “This is the Air I Breath,” knowing that they are filled with His presence each time they take in that breath. I desire for others to be able to stand and come forward at the alter call and say with their whole heart, “Jesus, I Come.” “Just As I Am.” “How Great Thou Art!” That is the Greatness of worship.