Biblical Worship

One of the most helpful books I have come across on biblical principles of worship is Engaging with God: A Biblical Theology of Worship (Intervarsity Press ISBN 0-8308-2697-1) written by theologian David Peterson.  Peterson works through the whole Bible looking at the topic of worship.  Although Peterson does not spend much time discussing music style and practical aspects of leading worship, he does focus on important biblical principles of worship.  One section of the book treats worship in the Old Testament.  One of Peterson’s points deals with the theme of reverence or fear of the Lord:

“Reverence or the fear of the Lord in the Old Testament means faithfulness and obedience to all the covenant demands of God.  While this found expression in cultic activity [worship practices], the reference was normally to the honoring of God by total lifestyle.  When Christians imply that reverence is essentially a matter of one’s demeanor in church services, they show little understanding of the Bible’s teaching on the subject!”

“Thus, acceptable worship in Old Testament terms involves homage, service and reverence, demonstrated in the whole of life…. Acceptable worship in the Old Testament is service rendered to God.” (Peterson, 73) 

As a worship leader I am concerned when an issue concerning music style is divisive in the church.  I am reminded of the instruction we receive from the Gospels and Epistles about how we as the Body of Christ should treat each other.  The goal is always to care more about others than ourselves.  The goal is to defer to one another – to seek to fulfill others needs and desires before our own needs.  

I believe there are times when we need to make changes in our worship to better communicate the Gospel and allow for fresh expressions of our praise to God; however, sometimes it seems that some of these changes are done in such a way that it disrupts the peace and unity in the church.  One challenge as worship leaders is to strive to care for the church as Jesus cares for the church.  Jesus gave His life for the church. 

I would encourage you to take some time to consider a few passages in the New Testament that show us how we as the Body of Christ should be demonstrating our love for each other:

• Be at peace with each other (Mark 9:50)
• Love one another (John 13:34)
• Be joined to one another (Romans 12:5)
• Be devoted to one another (Romans 12:10)
• Honor one another (Romans 12:10)
• Rejoice with one another (Romans 12:15)
• Weep with one another (Romans 12:15)
• Live in harmony with one another (Romans 12:16)
• Accept one another (Romans 15:7)
• Counsel one another (Romans 15:14)
• Greet one another (Romans 16:16)
• Agree with one another (I Corinthians 1:10)
• Wait for one another (I Corinthians 11:33)
• Care for one another (I Corinthians 12:25)
• Serve one another (Galatians 5:13)
• Carry one another’s burdens (Galatians 6:2)
• Be kind to one another (Ephesians 4:32)
• Forgive one another (Ephesians 4:32)
• Submit to one another (Ephesians 5:21)
• Bear with one another (Colossians 3:13)
• Teach, admonish each other (Colossians 3:16)
• Encourage one another (I Thessalonians 5:11)
• Build up one another (Thessalonians 5:11)
• Spur one another on (Hebrews 10:24)
• Offer hospitality to one another (1 Peter 4:9)
• Minister gifts to one another (I Peter 4:10)
• Be humble toward one another (I Peter 5:5)
• Confess your sins to one another (James 5:16)
• Pray for one another (James 5:16)
• Fellowship with one another (I John 1:7)

Worship Leaders, if we love the church the way Christ loved the church, we will be concerned not so much about music issues but about ministering to our brothers and sisters in Christ.