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Christ-Exalting Worship
Call it exalting, inspiring, celebrative, stimulating, encouraging, rousing, engaging, moving, energizing, or whatever other adjective you desire, worship is a major sign of a fit church. Respected researcher Kirk Hadaway explains:
Worship in growing churches, and especially in rapidly growing churches, has a different character from worship in plateaued and declining congregations. This character is somewhat difficult to describe, but the terms usually employed are “excitement,” “celebration,” “electricity,” and “spirit of revival.” Whatever terms are used, anyone who has worshipped in many growing congregations will agree that the worship experience sets these churches apart.1
Former pastor Dale Galloway agrees. “Worship is a wonderful marvelous mystery,” he writes. “Nothing in this world is greater than to be in a service where your spirit meets with God’s spirit. That is the high moment in the community of the church.”2
When corporate worship inspires, people come to the service expecting God to work, sinners to repent, the sick to be made whole, the hurting to be restored, and the Word of God preached in such a manner that people are challenged to live life with vibrancy and to take appropriate action in the world.
What Is Worship?
Have you ever noticed how we casually use the word worship without really considering its meaning? Listen around church this next weekend and you will hear people say, “I’m going to worship” or “Where is the worship center?” or “Did you enjoy worship today?” We once overheard one person say, “I listened to the worship leader and the worship team sing worship songs.” Worship is a familiar word, but how often do we really think about what it means? What is worship?
The Bible provides two essential pillars with which to understand worship. First, worship is an expression of respect and submission. The main Hebrew word in the Old Testament is shahah, which is translated “to bow down.” Such an expression is most often seen in the physical act of bowing down, kneeling, or prostrating oneself to another person. For example, when the people of Israel heard of God’s concern for them from Moses and Aaron, “they bowed low and worshiped” (Exod. 4:31, emphasis added). Solomon writes concerning the nomads and kings of the earth, “May he also rule from sea to sea and from the River to the ends of the earth. Let the nomads of the desert bow before him, and his enemies lick the dust. Let the kings of Tarshish and of the islands bring presents; the kings of Sheba and Seba offer gifts. And let all kings bow down before him, all nations serve him” (Ps. 72:8–11, emphasis added). The New Testament word for worship is proskuneo, and it echoes the image of worship in the Old Testament. It is a combination of pros, meaning “toward,” and kuneo, meaning “to kiss,” which creates a clear image of one bowing low to kiss the hand or feet of another person. Thus, the first pillar of worship is to show respect and submission to another.
Second, worship is an act of sacrifice and obedience, which normally is seen in service to God. For example, the psalmist writes, “This will be written for the generation to come, that a people yet to be created may praise the LORD. . . . When the peoples are gathered together, and the kingdoms, to serve the LORD” (Ps. 102:18, 22, emphasis added). The word used in the Old Testament is asab, meaning “to carve, labor, or to serve.” In the New Testament, the word is latreuo, which means “to serve.” It is the word from which we get liturgy, which essentially means a service to the Lord. Thus, the second pillar of worship is any act of sacrificial service done for the Lord. To worship is a response from our hearts to God for what he has done and who he is eternally. Such a response is actively seen in our respectful submission and active obedience to God.
Characteristics of Worship
Music and worship go together. Historically the actual practice of worship has varied greatly. In the Middle Ages, the use of Gregorian Chant, which was monophonic (unison singing), a capella (no use of instruments), and nonmetrical (no accents), was common (e.g., “O Come, O Come, Immanuel”). Following the Protestant Reformation in 1517, the hymns and chorales of Luther (e.g., “A Mighty Fortress Is Our God”) became popular. Then in the 1700s, Isaac Watts, the father of English hymnody, began paraphrasing the biblical text, particularly the Psalms (e.g., “O God, Our Help in Ages Past,” which is based on Psalm 90). Around the same time, Johann Sebastian Bach wrote numerous chorales for Lutheran church worship (e.g., “Jesu, Joy of Man’s Desiring”). As the Great Awakening of the mid- to late 1700s arose, John and Charles Wesley introduced hymns of invitation (e.g., “And Can It Be That I Should Gain”) that spoke to the audience of their day.
In the Americas of the 1800s, folk melodies were merged with classic hymnody to create gospel songs that were used in the more informal personal worship environments of the Baptist and Methodist Camp Meetings. During this time, the gospel songs of Fanny Crosby were quite popular (e.g., “I Am Thine, O Lord”). She began a style of Christian singing that stressed our personal relationship with God rather than his attributes and character. The popularity of gospel singing was propelled into the early 1900s through the revivals of preacher-musician teams, such as Dwight L. Moody and Ira D. Sankey (late 1800s), Billy Sunday and Homer Rodeheaver (1900–1930), and Billy Graham and Cliff Barrows (1945–2005). Christian music of the mid-1900s continued this tradition through the easily sung music of John W. Peterson (1950–1970; e.g., “It Took a Miracle”) and Bill and Gloria Gaither (1960s to the early 2000s; e.g., “The King Is Coming”). Beginning in the mid-1960s, the Jesus Movement created big changes in church music, from a reliance on large choirs supported by piano and organ to the use of small worship teams supported by guitars and drums. Contemporary music was institutionalized through the popularity of the larger megachurches and the formation of the Christian music industry.
Today Christian worship continues to undergo significant changes. Like it or not, television and the internet set the expected standards for communication among today’s younger generations. People make value judgments quickly since they have many choices from which to select. Entertainment has raised the expectations so high that many church worship services appear mediocre in comparison. Today’s younger generations no longer tolerate haphazardly planned worship services. They do not have their grandparents’ or parents’ sense of duty to continue to support a worship service that no longer connects with their issues and needs. They value an authentic experience that includes some level of involvement, whether it is handclapping, hand-raising, or quiet meditation in a dark worship center. Formality seems unnatural, as many participants feel it lacks genuineness. Thus, people usually seek informality, along with a relaxed atmosphere that doesn’t pressure or seek to manipulate. Most, however, still prefer simple songs that express love and devotion while being built around solid doctrinal themes.
People’s taste in music varies greatly, but it largely connects culturally with the worshipers. Generally, fit churches tend to have music that is celebrative and encouraging. A key ingredient of fit churches is a well-planned and executed worship service that involves people. While some worship services attract younger people due to the appearance of rough authenticity (often seen in the appropriately scruffy appearance of the worship band members), over the long-term, lack of planning does not hold people’s attention. Worship has to be genuine—not just amusing. Bad worship is just bad, no matter the style. Some people are tempted to write off these expectations, calling some protestant worship simply talent shows.3 However, doing things well is not just entertainment, as the late Robert Webber, who wrote extensively on biblical worship, explains: “The church is to be a worshipping community par excellence, called to join the heavenly throng.”4
Music Pastor to Worship Arts Pastor
Churches used to think in terms of a music pastor who exclusively focused on working with music in the church. Pastors had music degrees and expertise to lead choirs and orchestras. They were specialists in music. Gradually, a number of churches discovered what they really needed was a worship pastor, a person who could lead a congregation of people in public worship. Now churches seek a worship arts pastor to oversee a much broader range of ministry technology, visual arts, drama, dance, banners, etc.
One Style to Multiple Styles
Historically most churches offered one worship service in one style. Gradually churches started offering two worship services, but most still offered one style. As time went along, churches began offering multiple worship services and multiple styles in an attempt to reach new audiences for Christ. While some churches maintained at least one traditional worship service, each new style became increasingly contemporary or was perhaps in a different language. Generational issues played a major role in creating new forms of worship, as churches attempted to keep hold of their younger members.
Individuals to Team
For many years, worship involved star performers. Churches hired people to play the piano or organ or to sing special numbers. Now churches use teams to lead worship—sometimes multiple teams. Today many worship pastors are asked not whether they can lead worship (or music) but whether they can build teams.
Larger to Smaller
Large choirs and orchestras have been replaced in numerous churches by smaller worship teams and bands. The man-hour expense of large choirs kept too many people out of ministry opportunities. The same number of people may be involved in worship but most often gather in smaller groups of worship teams.
Big Event to Regular Event
Larger concerts, plays, and music programs used to draw in hundreds of newcomers to a church. However, the availability of many other types of events, e.g., Christian concerts, caused attendance at many local church events to go down. Today churches put more money into the weekly worship experiences. Events, of course, continue but are targeted more toward the unchurched than the already churched.
Preaching to Worship
Churches used to build worship spaces with little thought to the total worship experience. Most churches focused on highlighting the preaching and/or sacrament and ordinances. Today churches build worship auditoriums with staging, sound, lighting, and projection in mind. Churches that use different forms of art are specially designed to allow the art to share the stage.
Congregational Singing to Music Performance
Song leaders of past years did their best to get the congregation singing. People were encouraged to engage in worship by singing (even if their voices were not that good). Today many worshipers no longer participate through singing but rather engage in worship as part of an audience sharing a concert experience. There is danger in this, as true worship is participatory. “The difference between the church and the theater or the lecture hall is radical and must be expressed radically. The ‘audience’ in a church is God, and the people are all players, and they should all have a sense of being enmeshed in the action.”5
These are just a few of the changes taking place in worship today. Each presents opportunities and challenges for anyone designing worship. Yet the call remains to develop worship services that inspire worshipers to respectfully submit to God and actively engage in service for God. Whatever style or approach you adopt for worship in your church, dynamic worship often has the following characteristics.
First, Christ-exalting worship is developed by a worship team rather than a single person. Worship teams are organized using three divisions: creative team, administrative team, and production team. The creative team develops, plans, and designs the worship services. The administrative team communicates between the team members and the congregation, researches new music, and oversees rehearsals, practice, writing, and arranging. The production team takes care of sound, lighting, tech, and setup. Together the team develops worship services that lift God up and draw worshipers to honor God.
Second, Christ-exalting worship is evaluated. A commitment to Christ-exalting worship involves regular study of the response of the congregation to worship services. If biblical worship is a valuable goal, then it is worth evaluating. Each week the worship team analyzes the successes and failures of the last worship service. The worship team asks questions, such as “What worked well?” “What didn’t go well?” and “What could we do better?” The answers are discussed and evaluated with an attitude and expectation of continual improvement in future worship services.
Third, Christ-exalting worship is planned in advance. Worship teams dedicate a lot of creative thought to planning worship services ahead of time rather than haphazardly throwing them together at the last minute. Pastors plan their preaching calendars from three months to a year in advance, which allows worship leaders and teams to plan ahead for specific themes and topics. Services incorporate creative ideas and are organized two to three months in advance so participants can adequately practice, rehearse, and prepare for dynamic worship.
Fourth, Christ-exalting worship intentionally uses all areas of commendation. Worship teams acknowledge that worship is more than just mental agreement; it includes spiritual, relational, and emotional aspects. They therefore think about how to intentionally connect with worshipers in spiritual ways (e.g., prayer, quietness, lighting, etc.); mental ways (e.g., note sheets, visual tech, thought-provoking images, etc.); relational ways (e.g., speaking to others, shaking hands, clapping, etc.); and emotional ways (e.g., uplifted hands, kneeling, visual arts, etc.).
Fifth, Christ-exalting worship pays attention to the following six things: pace (Does the service move fast enough to hold people’s attention?); flow (Does the service move in a clear direction?); theme (Does the service communicate a clear topic?); transitions (Does the service move well between different segments?); variety (Does the service include fresh forms?); and concentration (Does the length of the service fit the culture?).
Sixth, Christ-exalting worship is relevant to the culture. Jesus said worship was to be done “in spirit and truth” (John 4:24). This means worship must connect with worshipers’ minds and wills. It must communicate the Word of God and connect with their emotions. It must meet both their intellects and their hearts. Among other things, worship must be culturally relevant. People desire to confess their sins, celebrate their faith, take communion, and sing in ways and manners that are their ways and manners. Christ-exalting worship draws people together so they are free to worship God in their own languages, cultural styles, and methods.
Seventh, Christ-exalting worship is concerned for the entire service, not just the sermon. The preaching of God’s Word is of major importance. When it comes to corporate worship, the preaching of the Word of God must take priority over other aspects. Paul charged Timothy to “preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort, with great patience and instruction” (2 Tim. 4:2). Yet Paul also calls for balance in worship when he writes, “Let the word of Christ richly dwell within you [preaching], with all wisdom teaching and admonishing one another with psalms and hymns and spiritual songs [worship experience], singing with thankfulness in your hearts to God” (Col. 3:16). Churches design Christ-exalting worship services with the belief that the sermon is not the entire message, but the message is the entire service. Thus, the worship team works to develop a unified worship service that connects with people from the moment they walk into the auditorium until they exit it. This means the entire atmosphere is important to Christ-exalting worship (e.g., lighting, sound, smell, preaching, music, etc.). All these things matter in a worship service.
Eighth, Christ-exalting worship helps worshipers encounter God, see themselves in comparison to God, and respond to God’s call on their lives (see Isa. 6:1–8). Throughout the Bible, people encountered or worshiped God in various ways and styles. Consider Moses at the burning bush, Abraham at the altar, Ezekiel at the river, or the apostle John on the isle of Patmos. Each worshiped God in a different manner. The common denominator? They were all changed! Well-known writer Gordon MacDonald suggests worship should be not about styles but outcomes. “The talk is all about style. What’s missing is anyone asking, ‘What effects does true worship have upon people?’”6 The worship Isaiah experienced changed him. Worship expert William Epley notes the progression of Isaiah’s worship experience through five phases. First, Isaiah saw God’s majesty. Second, he confessed his need. Third, he received forgiveness. Fourth, he heard God’s call to service. Fifth, he responded to God’s call.7 Isaiah left his worship experience a changed person ready to serve (continue to worship) God.
Beginner Churches
Beginner churches take little effort in designing their worship services. The sermons, music, Scripture readings, and other elements are selected the week right before the worship service is offered. No thought is given to evaluating past services, and the music is simply considered preparation for the real activity—the sermon.
PLAN OF ACTION IF YOU LEAD A BEGINNER CHURCH
- Ask board members and worship leaders to answer the following question: What are the three most memorable experiences you have ever had in worship? Then discuss what made the experiences memorable and how the church might begin to include some of the insights in more of its services.
- Study the Bible to answer this question: What is worship?
- Recruit a worship team of at least three people: the lead pastor, worship leader, and a tech (sound, lights, communication) person.
- Plan all worship services two weeks in advance.
Novice Churches
Novice churches have started to ask the right questions about worship, including “What is biblical worship?” “What elements of worship should be included in a service?” “To whom is our worship service targeted?” The pastor plans sermons at least a month in advance to allow the worship leader more time to design a good worship experience. The pastor and worship leader meet at least once a quarter to evaluate and outline the next quarter of worship services.
PLAN OF ACTION IF YOU LEAD A NOVICE CHURCH
- Ask board members and worship leaders to discuss and answer the following questions: Are there any ingredients in the act of true worship that ought to happen in every worship service? Which generation is the church seeking to reach? All generations? What does that mean for how the church designs worship? How much involvement and participation in worship should the church expect and invite?
- Plan all worship services one month in advance.
Intermediate Churches
Intermediate churches demonstrate a serious attitude toward their worship service design by planning three months in advance. The pastor of an intermediate church supports the early planning of worship by outlining the theme, Scripture, and essential direction of sermons three months in advance. A worship team of three to four people gathers monthly to evaluate past services and plan future services. Together the worship team determines to create genuine worship experiences for the congregation.
PLAN OF ACTION IF YOU LEAD AN INTERMEDIATE CHURCH
- Ask board members and worship leaders to discuss and answer the following questions: What is the difference between worship and praise? What are the legitimate needs of the people the church is trying to reach, and how can the church meet those needs through its worship service?
- Discuss what genuine worship should produce in worshipers.
- Plan all worship services three months in advance.
- Recruit and train at least two worship teams, allowing them to alternate in leading worship.
Advanced churches see worship as a performance where congregational members are the actors and God is the audience. Therefore, churches plan services to assist the congregation in respectfully honoring God while actively serving him through worship. Although worship teams keep a close eye on the response of newcomers, the members also focus on helping mature regular attendees in their faith. The pastor of an advanced church provides basic sermon outlines to the worship team six months in advance to enable long-range planning of services.
PLAN OF ACTION IF YOU LEAD AN ADVANCED CHURCH
- Ask board members and worship leaders to discuss and answer the following questions: Who is the audience for the worship service and who are the performers? How can the church keep maturing the people who attend worship?
- Outline all worship services six months in advance.
- Give careful thought to flow, pace, transitions, variety, and theme development in worship services.
- Recruit and train at least three worship teams, alternating them in leading worship.
Elite Churches
Elite churches seek the input of a large worship team with six or more members. The pastors of elite churches embrace worship planning by preparing basic sermon outlines a year in advance.
PLAN OF ACTION IF YOU LEAD AN ELITE CHURCH
- Ask board members and worship leaders to discuss and answer the following question: What outcomes are we seeing from our worship services?
- Outline all worship services a year in advance.
- Organize worship around a clear, dominant theme with good pace, flow, and transitions.
- Find ways to involve people in actively worshiping God rather than just being spectators at a concert.
- Recruit and train multiple worship teams to lead worship in the services.
Eddie Gibbs, former professor of Church Growth, declares that inspiring worship exists when “church members are eager to come. They are reluctant to be absent from a service in case they miss anything. As a result of their coming to the service, they go home refreshed and better able to face the week.”8 Fit churches reach people with culturally relevant music and worship.