Worship takes on many different forms around the world. It grows and changes as the centuries come and go. One area of worship is similar throughout, and that is the use of music. On any given Sunday, we can find organs, orchestras, choirs, flag wavers, dancers, praise bands, and any combination facilitating a closer encounter with God. This is happening in churches, homes, and even under bridges in large cities. We can even find small churches such as primitive Baptist congregations singing in harmonies, as many as there are voices, without instrumentation. We have introits and interludes that are a far cry from the hedonistic instrumental music of antiquity! With all of our musical options, the only thing that is constant is that using music in worship is not constant!
For me, I prefer a combination of old and new. I enjoy a stately organ playing the Doxology and Gloria Patri while at the same time, I have a strong need for emotional, "give it to Jesus" tear fests. Crazy, I know.
One of the most pure worship experiences I have had took place on a Walk to Emmaus retreat. While singing directly to Jesus, (Jesus, Jesus let us tell you how we feel), with a pre-prepared ambiance, I truly felt what I think it will be like in heaven. Singing praise with the multitudes all around God!
I have also encountered times where music detracted from my worship experience. I have been part of praise teams and choirs in which someone (even myself a time or two) were not prepared, and therefore unable to give our very best praise. Unfortunately, that can become a distraction to the congregation. I have also been so overtaken with the power, love, and emotion for Christ, and seeing that in the congregation that we were not even able to finish the song we were singing. Let me tell you, that is a moment so full of the Holy Spirit!
If you enjoy the closeness that comes from sharing a hymnal with the person next to you, dancing down the isles, singing at the top of your lungs, listening to choirs, bands, or soloists sing, or even leaving music out entirely, that is ok. It is not about the music. As long as we keep focused who our heavenly Father is, that is what it is all about.
