Having always been committed to building the local church, we are convinced that part of our purpose is to champion passionate and genuine worship of our Lord Jesus Christ in local churches right across the globe.
When we worship, we are offering ourselves to what we have personally determined to be worthy or valuable. But how do we track or measure worship in our own lives? Great question. Here are my best thoughts at this point in my journey.
First, consider what things in your life are important and valuable. Family, work, God, relationships, entertainment, possessions, security, activities, etc. Write out a list. I want you to see that you already are a worshiper because you already have things you count as valuable. And if you are like me, you are adjusting yourself to align with what you value. This is important for us to recognize this if we desire our value (worship) of God to be a greater priority.
You can also think about this in relation to the other things that we worship in life. Not only does worship have bearing on who we are becoming internally, but it also affects the external conditions around our lives.
This scripture among many others speaks to the reality that when we move toward God, He moves toward us. When we bring the weight of our lives (time, talent, and treasure) to Him, He weighs in on our lives and our world. I call this the revolving door of worship. When we move into His world, He moves into ours. And miraculous things happen when God enters the scene.
So, what happens when we turn to God and draw close to Him? What happens when we offer our time, talent, and treasure to Him as spiritual acts of worship? His power and authority brings change to the people we are becoming and has supernatural effects on the conditions and people in our lives.
So the question we need to ask today is this: if the teaching in our church was limited to the songs that we sing, how well taught would we be? How well would we know God? We should make it our aim not only to preach the whole counsel of God but to sing it, as well.
Sing lustily and with good courage. Beware of singing as if you were half-dead, or half asleep; but lift up your voice with strength. Be no more afraid of your voice now, nor more ashamed of its being heard, than when you sung the songs of Satan. (John Wesley, Preface to Select Hymns [1761])
There should be a common musical style that speaks to most of the individuals in our church while occasionally introducing new songs and styles, so that we might appreciate the glory of God expressed in music in new ways. But the most important unifying musical center should be the sound of the people themselves.
Instead, God has told us what the focus of our songs should be: worthy is the Lamb who is slain. The Lamb must always be central to our corporate singing. Why? Because Jesus is the One who has made it possible.
If we even begin to comprehend the risen Christ in all his glory, or faintly hear the heavenly choirs that surround the throne with their anthems of praise, or imagine what life in the presence of the Lord will be like, then we can never again be satisfied with worship as usual. We will always be striving to make our worship fit for glory; and we will always be aware that our efforts, no matter how good and noble, are still of this world and not yet of that one. (Ross, Recalling the Hope of Glory [Kregel, 2006], 474)
The Savior has rescued us that we might sing the song of the redeemed. May we sing it well. May we sing it constantly. May we sing it passionately. May we sing it for his glory and the advancing of his gospel until the time comes when our songs will never end.
Here are 19 powerful Christian inspirational quotes to help you understand worship better. (You can download all these images for free to use in your worship software, bulletin, or on social media here.)
Someday worship will be an integral part of our everyday existence. It will not be an activity that comes from faith, pastors, worship leaders, or duty, but will be a natural response that arises from the first-hand experience with the living God.
While we all have personal preferences for the kinds of music we enjoy or the sort of environments we find most worshipful, our praise should be grounded in our common understanding of God from his word.
The reason that everything we do can be an act of worship is that God has made each one of us a temple where he dwells through the Holy Spirit. When we become aware of that presence, every moment of our day is sacred.
What are the One Hit Wonders you can remember in Christian music? I mean the songs that got a lot of airplay, but that's pretty much all they are commonly known for (whether deserved or not). The three that come to my mind right now are 'God is in Control' by De La Ray, 'You are the Devil' by the Ws, and 'Mission Trip to Mexico' by Bunch of Believers.
Topping the Billboard Christian music charts in 2020, these 20 popularly played songs will make you cry, dance, and deliver hope to all walks of life. Featuring new music from some of K-LOVE's most loved artists like Kari Jobe, Cory Asbury, Zach Williams, and We The Kingdom, there is surely a song here for each and every one of you!
In this live performance of "Holy Water" by We The Kingdom, the audience powerfully sings along with the rock-filled energy and acoustic simplicity of this powerful gospel song. It is no wonder the song charted out at number 6 on the Billboard Bubbling Under Top 100 and has paved the path to instant stardom for this tight-knit and powerful family-infused band.
Released August 9, 2019, and reaching Gold status with over 500,000 sales and topping out at number 5 on the US Hot Christian Songs chart, the live performance of Elevation Worship's "See a Victory," will encourage you to choose Christ as you worship your way through every struggle and uncertainty.
Nominated for the 2020 GMA Dove Awards Pop/Contemporary Recorded Song of the Year, the 2020 Billboard Music Awards Top Christian Song, and winning the 2020 GMA Dove Awards Song of the Year, no wonder this certified Gold single achieved Platinum status in less than 6 months. Lauren Daigle's filmed the music video at the Knik Glacier in Alaska over two days. Written for a close personal friend, Daigle reminds us in her song "Rescue" that there are better times ahead.
Awarding the album four stars at Worship Leader, Jeremy Armstrong states, "Wake Up generally looks to help people find the wonder of God in the gospel message."[4] Tony Cummings, rating the album a seven out of ten for Cross Rhythms, says, "So one is left trying to find particular songs that might have the legs to travel to churches beyond North Carolina."[2] Giving the album three stars from CCM Magazine, Andy Argyrakis writes, "the songs reflect the awe and majesty of the Lord with plenty victorious praises, all of which are admirable qualities, but ones that would come alive all the more had the music steered beyond the typical modern worship mold."[1] Jessica Morris, indicating in a nine and a half out of ten review by Jesus Wired, describes, "Wake Up The Wonder is fresh, compelling, curious and riveting."[3]
Thank you so much, Scott, for sharing your heart regarding worship. It really touched my heart. I read it early this morning while still in bed and I was brought to tears. I had never thought of worship in these terms and it gives me a lot to think about. I have difficulty worshipping when the music is too loud and other love it.
I realize after reading this that I worship many times as I am praying for someone. We have never met but I have been praying much for you, Michelle, and your precious family for months now. As I pray through tears many times, now I realize it is a form of worship.
Donna
Also, I had never thought about sending an encouraging text or just sitting quietly with a friend, would be worship. God has me send encouraging texts to Michelle almost daily and it now has a new meaning.
Ensure your worship is age-appropriate, and look for opportunities to include all children in worship. Children can worship from the very beginning! Even babies, toddlers, and preschoolers can worship!
Once you have recruited your team, lead and train your worship team well. Provide volunteer role expectations and training. Invest in your leaders, provide resources, encourage rehearsals, provide evaluations and feedback, show appreciation and value.
When choosing songs, look at the theme and meaning, and determine what the song is about and what it teaches or expresses. Note whether the words are kid friendly. If needed, teach kids the meaning and words of the songs.
Motions and choreography can be fun and helpful, although slow songs can be just as powerful for kids. Choose themes that kids can connect with and understand. Look for songs that help kids engage with your Bible story or theme.
Using tech and media can help kids engage in worship. You can use worship videos, motions and choreography, motion backgrounds. Presentation software can allow you to easily present videos and slides, and lighting can create an atmosphere conducive to impactful worship.
Offer a time for worship response in every service, to give kids a chance to respond to what the Holy Spirit is teaching them as they reflect on the Bible story and create expressions of their worship to God individually and together.
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