Worship and Music
Passionately Pursing our God in Music and Worship Music is of God’s creation and an integral part of our lives, yet much of the current experience is one of the most emotionally charged and divisive issues facing the Christian Church, families, and individuals in America today. Pastors, worship leaders, trained musicians, and believers in general face new and powerful forces of change - forces that bring renewal to some churches and fear and schism to others. No one can sidestep the hot debate between such matters as the various styles of music, hymns versus choruses, seeker services versus worship services, choirs versus worship teams, organs versus synthesizers, and flowing praise versus singing one song at a time. With billions of Christians across the world and hundreds of denominations, there is certain to be variations in church worship styles. In this paper, I will introduce and address the most common church worship styles, and then, I will discuss what our response should be to corporate worship.
Traditional church worship style speaks for itself – it is largely based on traditional methods of worship using classical hymns and choruses with no affiliation with contemporary Christian music. Traditional church worship styles are based on traditions and beliefs that stretch back to the beginnings of Christianity which can make it seem more authentic to some. Traditional hymns can often have profound and meaningful histories that many Christians feel a greater connection to than much contemporary Christian worship styles. Music played at traditional church services are typically based around classical hymns by composers such as Handel, Mozart and Bach. There is often an organ, choir, and a piano to provide the music accompaniment (Pinson).
In recent years contemporary church worship style has taken over from traditional styles as churches begin to realize the need to appeal more to a modern generation. During contemporary church worship, the songs
Traditional church worship style speaks for itself – it is largely based on traditional methods of worship using classical hymns and choruses with no affiliation with contemporary Christian music. Traditional church worship styles are based on traditions and beliefs that stretch back to the beginnings of Christianity which can make it seem more authentic to some. Traditional hymns can often have profound and meaningful histories that many Christians feel a greater connection to than much contemporary Christian worship styles. Music played at traditional church services are typically based around classical hymns by composers such as Handel, Mozart and Bach. There is often an organ, choir, and a piano to provide the music accompaniment (Pinson).
In recent years contemporary church worship style has taken over from traditional styles as churches begin to realize the need to appeal more to a modern generation. During contemporary church worship, the songs
Cited: Ashton, Mark. Worship by the Book. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2002. Bateman, Herbert W. "Authentic Worship." Bateman, Herbert W. Authentic Worship. Grand Rapids: Kregel Publications, 2002. 137-171. Dorn, Christopher. "The Emergent Church and Worship." 24 March 2010 <http://www.westernsem.edu/files/westernsem/chrisdorn.pdf>. Frame, John. Worship in Spirit and Truth. P&R, 1996. Hansen, Collin. "Transcending the Worship Wars." 21 September 2009. Christianity Today. 24 March 2010 <http://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/2009/septemberweb-only/138.11.0.html?start=2>. Peterson, David. Engaging with God: A Biblical Theology of Worship. Downers Grove: InterVarsity Press, 1992. Pinson, J. Matthew. Perspective on Christian Worship: Five Views. Nashville: Broadman and Holman Publishers, 2009. Whaley, Vernon. Called to Worship: The Biblical Foundations of Our Response to God 's Call . Nashville: Thomas Nelson, Inc., 2009. Zahl, Paul F. M. and Harold Best. "Exploring the Worship Spectrum." Zahl, Paul F. M. and Harold Best. Exploring the Worship Spectrum. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2004. 37-50.