I seek to answer the question: Is the ever-changing culture affecting a person’s true worship of the Unchanging God?
(Check out some of the works of the individuals who have already discussed this idea in their books at the end of this blog.)
Individual Idealism
Modern worship songs are geared toward individual idealism rather than corporate. Western culture, which has a big part in influencing the current state of trends of worship styles, dictates that an individual’s emotions and feelings are all important elements to consider achieving an intimate connection with someone. Western society for some time now has been subject to a “process of individualization or institutionalized individualism”. Many songwriters and worship leaders from an artist standpoint, created songs that are focused on the participant of worship rather than the object of their worship.
Mark Evans in his book Studies in Popular Music, discusses that corporate worship nowadays is getting more intimate and gives the hint of a personal tone thus lyrics are now focused more on the individual who is worshipping rather than the object of worship which is God. He cited that in a 2002 survey of over 150 contemporary songs, the use of individual points of view in congregational songs is customary. Over half of the songs analyzed were pertaining to the relationship of the participant in worship and the Godhead. Intimate and relational songs are vast in number. Most modern worship songs fall in this category. These songs are heard and experienced in a slower tempo to emphasize the intimacy and relationship between the worshipper and the God who is worshipped.
Hymns and Early Worship Songs
From the early age of worship music, congregations from different denominations are in a constant battle about what style of music is to be used in worship. In fact, the great hymns that are now highly regarded as theologically rich were debated before in the early times because of their intriguing harmony and timing. During that time, it was proven to be a great tool to usher people to worship God in a manner that is appropriate in a church setting.
Ruth C. Duck in her article Finding Words for Worship explained the importance of singing hymns. It represents what is truly felt when someone worships. Most of the time when a person doesn’t know what to say, the hymns are there to express it for them. The Hymns supply the worshipper with the words to say in liturgy, it helps to express praises to God.
Consumer culture
Consumer driven-Western culture helped define how the church looks to target people in their respective communities. A program is devised based on the people to be reached out and doing this allows the consumer culture to come into church services.
Antonio Alonso in his peer-reviewed journal Consumed, talks about a sudden change in the implementation of music and worship which increasingly seeks to entertain as if the congregation is now watching a show in a concert hall or stadium. The worship planners of some churches that implemented this kind of style do this with the idea of making the congregation look at the worship service as a product to be bought or enjoyed. This happens on a regular basis, from Sunday to Sunday, without allowing people to commit and dig deeper into the theology and practice of the church. People are encouraged just to consume and not to participate.
True Worship
As Jesus answered the woman on the well, John 4:24 records “ God is spirit, and those who worship him must worship in spirit and truth.”
It is seen here how we must worship God truthfully, and rightfully. Understanding the truth in God’s Word, allows us to be better worshippers of God.
An understanding of God will determine what style of music and worship is to be implemented.
Closing Thoughts
Culture dictates that the un-churched needs to be pleased. Making innovative ways of attracting newcomers is not a bad thing, but not at the expense of secularizing the worship style.
The ever-changing culture may influence the church on how corporate worship is organized but truth be told, God is unchanging. He asked to be worshipped in a manner pleasing to Him. The worship style may change to accommodate the times but to know Jesus and the knowledge of His Word will forever be the motive behind True Worship.
Abba, Raymond. Principles of Christian Worship: With Special Reference to the Free Churches.
Alonso, Tony. "Consumed: Celebrating Liturgy in a consumer culture." Worship 87, no. 5 (September 1, 2013)
Duck, Ruth C. Finding Words for Worship: A Guide for Leaders. Louisville, Ky: Westminster John Knox Press, 1995
Evans, Mark. Studies in Popular Music: Open up the Doors: Music in the Modern Church.
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