Worship vs. Entertainment

Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Jason Watson on September 16, 2009 at 4:16pm

I've found that when entertainment is entered into the worship experience, it just draws me in that much more. As long as it is always Christ focused, entertainment can be just as, if not more powerful of a worship tool.

I'm a performer/entertainer primarily. I tend to do more concerts than worship services. My job is to entertain the audience and provide a fun evening. However, my concerts always turn into a worship setting. Though I'm entertaining, I'm still there to bring God glory. I can't do that without offering my music as a form of worship.

Though my songs aren't "praise & worship" tunes specifically, they were written to help people draw closer to their Lord and acknowledge His glory in our lives. At a concert, we may not be singing together, but we're still worshiping together from what the "entertainment" has stirred in our hearts.

Though I can't control the hearts of those performing in these concerts, I can control my own heart and make sure it's always about Him.

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Permalink Reply by bet nich on September 16, 2009 at 4:49pm

Some really wise answers here.

I too hear the 'entertainment' and 'performance' canards thrown around from time to time - not so much in my present church, but in past situations. It is usually code for 'I think you're too out there'.

But to be honest, we are performers. The difference is that hopefully we are doing it for the glory of God, not for ourselves. When the Lord chooses to use a broken vessel such as myself, that is a real miracle, one that most people don't see. And it really hurts when some assume otherwise...

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Permalink Reply by Pete Brower on September 16, 2009 at 5:01pm

In my experience when I've had people on my team that were entertainment driven I would find that they would showboat their way through every song, singers that would snipe about the lack of skill of other singers, and would just not act well as team players in the group. I've had some of those and have weeded them out. The difference it makes in the team when everyone is there for the right reason is amazing.

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Permalink Reply by Frances Barnhart on September 16, 2009 at 5:28pm

It is a heart issue. The bible tells us that we are to let God examine our hearts.[Ps 139:23,24;Ps 26:2;Ps 51:10] But not just Him, is is Him and ourselves together. Being involved in music, leading worship or playing an instrument we must all check ourselves before we set one foot on that stage. Pride can over take you. (raises hand) and yes, it does come before the fall. lol.
When you loose site of the One you love. Then, you are just someone worshiping yourself.
My team prays before we take the stage. We are open an honest with each other. We try to keep each other humble, it is hard, but it is doable when your goal is to worship the most High.

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Permalink Reply by Jason Watson on September 16, 2009 at 5:50pm

Good point Frances.

It's easy to become prideful when you perform/lead worship. After the service (or concert in my case), we will normally have quite a few people telling how appreciative they are for the ministry we provide. Though it is good to graciously accept appreciation and complements, they can also get to our heads and push us to a prideful state.

That's where having a grounded group around us can be very beneficial. My band not only encourages one another, but also calls us out when we let ego's or other damaging thoughts get the best of us.

Surround each other love, encourage, and guidance. The body of Christ at work. I love it!!!

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Permalink Reply by daniel cash on September 17, 2009 at 4:24am

"graciously accept appreciation and compliments"

I know more than a few worship leaders who need to learn how to do this. Ever gone up to someone after worship and told them you liked it or that they did a good job and they reply with some over-spiritualized muck like, "Well it was really the Spirit," or "We aren't there for the glory of men, but the glory of our yada yada." Makes me sick. Just take the compliment already!

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Permalink Reply by Frances Barnhart on September 16, 2009 at 8:05pm

My church doesn't either. Though one day before my pastor spoke told us to stand and thanked us for our hard work.
It is ok to except praise for your hard work. We were not looking for it. But I think he just felt like he wanted to let us know that he was really thankful for all that we do for God and how our lives shine. (we all are told that we must lead as if in a Clear House, because we are leaders. And we are representatives of not only the church but also Jesus Christ).

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Permalink Reply by Rick Cogbill on September 16, 2009 at 11:11pm

It's a good thing if they do know we are Christ followers by our actions; it keeps us honest, and reminds us that our home and our citizenship is elsewhere.

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Permalink Reply by MIke on September 17, 2009 at 2:22pm

I think you can sense it in the Spirit. There is a HUGE difference between true worship and entertainment. I agree with the above posts... having fun in worship does NOT make it entertainment. The ability to worship in rough times is what gets us through the struggles in life. If there is no joy in our worship, we have no strength and can do nothing.

I think sometimes it can come down to what you define as entertainment. My dictionary defines "Entertainment" as the action of providing or being provided with amusement or enjoyment. There is nothing wrong with enjoying worship music! The second definition of "Entertainment" is an event, performance, or activity designed to entertain others. I think the word performance freaks a lot of people out. Performance is a necessary part of the process as it relates to using music for worship. This is not a bad thing. We are to strive to be good musicians and on stage we perform on our instruments. Performance only becomes a bad thing when we make it our main focus. If you are up there to be seen or showcase your awesome guitar tone and flaming licks, you might want to find someone to help you through that before you get back up on stage.

I would like to share one last though, whether the worship team is there to entertain or not, we have a responsibility to worship. Even when the worship sucks and they are just there to showboat, we still have to choose to worship.

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Permalink Reply by David Honkanen on September 18, 2009 at 12:39am

Real worship does entertain the presence of God. However I have seen what you are talking about. The things I noticed when the worship wasn't real was a lack of convictions outside of service, a critical attitude toward people who do worship and a lack of demonstrative worship from the platform. As far as trying to be entertainmemt goes, I'd say forget it. I don't think there are very many churches out there that have the budget or time to put on a show that could compete with Hollywood. What the entertainment can not do is touch the presence of God. The joy and awe that comes when a person feels the annointing of the Holy Spirit for the first time in an atmosphere of worship is way more influential than anything the entertainment industy can make you feel. We don't belong in the entertainment field. We need only to entertain the King of kings and let Him touch people's lives.

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Permalink Reply by Junjie on September 21, 2009 at 3:15pm

For me it's simple, when the congregation ends up listening (and watching) those on stage rather than singing their hearts out. That's when things have turned from worship to performance.

Different skill sets, and some people are just better at one than the other. There are many kinds of service but the same Lord, right? :)

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Permalink Reply by Kim Black on September 22, 2009 at 5:59pm

Here is what the apostle Paul said at Philippians 1:15-18 (NIV):

"It is true that some preach Christ out of envy and rivalry, but others out of goodwill. The latter do so in love, knowing that I am put here for the defense of the gospel. The former preach Christ out of selfish ambition, not sincerely, supposing that they can stir up trouble for me while I am in chains. But what does it matter? The important thing is that in every way, whether from false motives or true, Christ is preached. And because of this I rejoice."

The discussion of worship vs. entertainment is a good one. But when I read Paul's words, for me, it begins not to matter as long as CHRIST is preached. And, because of this, I rejoice!

Blessings!

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