Jukebox Worship

by Tom Lane
found in the July/August issue of  Worship Musician Magazine

There are times I feel it would just be easier to push play on a CD in worship. It would at least make it easier to hit the moving target of expectations among pastors, leadership, and the congregation; but in truth we can’t. Nor is worship leading ultimately about pleasing people, but sometimes we still prioritize facilitating others over ministry to the Lord.

Twenty years ago it was on the hearts of many in the church to improve the level of skill in worship, giving birth to a plethora of equipping conferences and events. Now we are seeing the fruit of them and there are some amazing talents in the church—the quality of our worship has improved no doubt. Ten years ago we were ten years into a transition from Contemporary Christian Music being the genre that represented the Church, to Modern Worship becoming the new standard and tradition. The music became more vertically focused. It was a return to our first love era that was timely and much needed. Some of the young leaders became the shapers of a new worship culture in the church at large, creating a shift in sound and focus.

The pattern is that new styles and cultures help us to grow beyond the past to a new thing, then we copy that thing over and over until something new comes along again, usually in response to The Lord calling His people back to adoration of, and communion with, Himself. I appreciate that the apostle Paul both encouraged us to be relevant to the world, and not to stray from the foundation of Christ and Him crucified. The gospel is the gospel truth! It will never lose its power and relevance for all of humanity. As we worship it is the Holy Spirit that reaches into human hearts and brings about change—not merely our music and eloquent teaching!

Worship leaders are more than jukeboxes that produce and replicate album versions of the top CCLI worship songs. We should strive to engage with God and be pliable enough to move with the Spirit of God that is always moving among us. He never parks on one tradition or style, nor should we. The end goal is not simply to sound good, though it helps for sure, but to lift high The Name above all names; then He draws the people.

That’s the promise and the mystery of worship. It’s more than copying styles or playing songs at the right BPM to evoke certain emotional responses.

A missing part of many worship times is genuine and authentic reverence and awe. Out of fear we sometimes just do what we know how to do to fill space rather than wait. I do realize that most often it’s not the worship leader or team that gets to decide the flow of a service. But worship is none-the-less flexible, living, and breathing. What God did yesterday may not be what He does today. Every time we gather it’s a new and different day, unless we are tuned in to His presence among us we can miss Him. I’m hearing more and more that we’re bored with the same ole same ole: same songs, the same style—new and old, and the same formulas. We’ve become more predictable and not nearly as responsive to the Spirit. By that I don’t mean it has to be a two-hour spontaneous worship session every time we gather. The point is, there’s not one way that works every time, nor should it be our goal; but rather an encounter with God.

If there’s a model for us in the Word it is this: entering His courts with thanksgiving and praise, bringing our psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs, and waiting on the Lord. There are many more scriptures to help point and guide us into spirit and truth worship.

Let’s not become so comfortable with our production, arrangements, songs, etc., that we leave no room for today’s manna and blessing in worship. If in a situation where we feel like we’re having to perform according to someone’s expectations, whether a pastor, leader, or otherwise; I encourage we begin a healthy dialogue and work to become united in the goal of aiming for God’s heart each week. Work out the balance of using the tools we have well, and actually hitting the mark. People sense the difference and know when we’re leading songs versus leading worship.

As much as I love good music and musicianship, I would prefer to look the fool and err on the side of humility and surrender, rather than sonic and musical perfection. It’s a problem when we’re so concerned about the performance of songs that we allow ourselves to be frustrated and irritated, or worse we vent those frustrations on others. As if our worship didn’t count because we failed to reach some standard of excellence that we aspire to, or someone’s expectations of our worship.

What is ‘Good worship?’ We use this phrase all the time and I know what we mean, but our standards of measure are not the same as The Lord’s. We often judge worship by others responses to what we do, but we barely know our own hearts let alone another’s.

We don’t simply push the play button to achieve desired results in worship. The human will is always involved and it’s presumptuous to think we can do the work of The Holy Spirit for Him. A safe and good bet is to approach the throne of grace boldly with open hands, willing to sacrifice our preparations and plans for God’s purposes, which He delights in revealing to us when we draw near.