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Worship without Music
Is Worship more effective with music? I've seen a congregation move to the music, but not to the worship. Can a person get more out of worship without music? As we say a "Heart of Worship" It doesn't matter with or without music it's what comes from the heart out that counts,
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Lorraine Doswell on -
Hi, I personally think that worship is more effective with music, but I may be biased as a worship leader. Seriously, I think its right to have a balance of music, the Word, prayer............ Some people can reach a deep level of worship through music while others might be touched in another way. Worship through music, at whatever level, is still music, and not everyone is a great lover of music, including my mother who would rather stay clear of seminars or the like, that include music.
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Permalink Reply by Marisol Nieves on -
The reason I ask is because I'm a Worship Leader, standing before a congregation you can see the different faces, attitudes, body language people may have during service. I know we are there to motivate these people and bring them into God's presence, at times you might feel that everything is evolved around just music and how it sounds, instead of just giving God the total attention. I'm one to try different things and I am looking into doing a worship without music. I believe God can move in the midst of Worship without Music only through those that are worshiping in spirit and in truth.
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Permalink Reply by Stevo on -
Yes - you can worship without music. I do it all the time and don't feel the need for it when I do. But I much prefer to have an instrument as well.
It's not wrong to focus on the sound of the music - that's part of the total worship package. Don't you think that a beautiful melody like Mallorca by Albeniz is one of the most beautiful things ever written? Doesn't it seem like it's a God-given thing to convey beauty? Put that beauty into a worship context and you're feeding the mind, ears, eyes, body and spirit with beauty and grace.
You see those folks out there? Nothing can shock their thoughts and senses into focusing on God like good music. They can have all kinds of crazy things from the week going through their heads and when you start with the music, that all melts away. In fact, you're helping to drown out the garbage with beauty. You're doing them a service when you play a beautiful introduction before you sing. It'smagic- God-given, no amount of scientific study will ever bring understanding.
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Permalink Reply by Greg Moore on -
Stevo - what you just wrote is one of the truest, most wonderful things I've ever read about the relationship of music and worship.
I've heard music described so many times in mechanistic ways - a "tool" for evangelism; a "preparation" for the Gospel message, and such. Yes, it is partly those; but first, it is the God-given gift of music, and... well, you said it better than I ever could. Thanks.
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Permalink Reply by Greg Moore on
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I picked up an old piano book the other day, saw a short piece by Albeniz, and realized it was one I'd heard on a recording by Segovia. Wikipedia has a fabulous picture of him at the piano with a stogie. He passed the entrance exam to the Paris Conservatory at age seven, but couldn't get in because he was too young. I've pronounced his name wrong all this time - it's Ahl-BAY-nees, rather than Al-buh-NEEZ. You don't always see the accent in print. His music always has the right accdent. Beautiful, beautiful.
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Permalink Reply by Erin Sweeney on -
If a congregation doesn't respond to worship it makes me wonder if they don't know how to worship on their own and therefor need to "be moved" by the music in order to worship, or maybe they view the worship as a concert where they are being entertained. If that's the case, then talk to your Pr. about changing things up for a few weeks and take time to teach them. Instead of having a band lead worship have congregants lead like in the book of Acts. When believers came together everyone participated with a song, or a scripture or some form of edification or teaching for the body. (Granted, this was typically done in a house church setting so may not work if you have a very large congregation.) If that won't work, see if the Pr. would be willing to do a series on worship expression and what it is and what it means to the church body. As people start to learn about and take responsability for their own contribution to worship it will become very real and meaningful to them.
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Permalink Reply by Stevo on
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No, I think God designed it that way. Music was His invention and I rather like it and I think He does too. It's also his invention that music affects our attitude and how we feel. What comes out of the heart is heavily affected by what goes in through the senses - all part of God's design. To separate the two and deny it is to lean toward gnosticism. I can't deny the fact that music can and does change my mood.
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Permalink Reply by Marisol Nieves on
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Thanks for your words of encouragement. God Bless =)
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Permalink Reply by Greg Moore on
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Even elevator music changes my mood.
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Permalink Reply by Rick Cogbill on
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I wouldn't say that worship is more effective without music, but I would agree that you can worship God without music.
By all means, try out different things in your worship service, and you will find that some people will be affected more by one thing than another, whether it be scripture readings, lighting candles, creating art - you name it.
The song "The Heart of Worship" was written because the local church at the time was focusing too much on the "performance" music aspect. But they did eventually return to using music in their church, once they came to understand that it's really about God and not about feeling good (though I have to admit that I feel a whole lot better when I remember God!).
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Permalink Reply by Stevo on
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I call it 'heart worship" vs. "art worship". (I co-opted that from another person.) That song is a good example. However, I found it weird to sing it in church, so I took it off the list. It seemed too context and situationally specific. (Was that grammatically correct?)
I think what Marisol is experiencing is a realization that one can focus too much on the art aspect and forget the core reason for worship. It's good that she's realizing it and concerned about it. I wish more folks were this sensitive.
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