Maturity is often the catalyst for recognizing our defining moments before they become history. I wasn’t mature at all, and quite thoroughly oblivious of how I would later encounter the True and Living God through music. Twelve birthday candles couldn’t hold a light to the moment God caught my attention with music. My family had attended the same small rural congregation for a month of Sundays, but this one was different. Perhaps only musicians can relate, but there was something about the sound and texture of the piano that resonated so deep in me it ignited a passion I didn’t even realize was buried there. So began the great journey.
Our church music culture at the time was deeply rooted in hymns about living in Heaven some day, mostly set to country gospel grooves. I respect most styles of music, but let’s just say this particular style was not at risk of becoming the source of my captivation. The Hosanna Praise and Worship movement was also quickly gaining momentum in cassette players across the country. As styles evolved church leaders were challenged to honor Baby Boomer traditions yet creatively appeal to younger generations. Since those days the “praise” and “worship” terminology seems to have stuck with us. By Y2K we were master jugglers of traditional, contemporary, and blended services. Praise songs come first in the service. They are upbeat and build momentum to get folks moving, especially for the early services. Next, it’s eye-closing and hand-raising time for the slower and more intimate worship set.
I believe it’s time for another defining moment in our culture of what it means to worship God. Please don’t take me the wrong way. There are valid and beneficial concepts found our current musical worship practices, but I’m afraid our culture has oversimplified the Biblical definitions of praise and worship. We are truly the ones missing out. In the upcoming weeks we will lay some solid groundwork. The principles we will search out will serve as the common guide for a reigning number of fun conversations to come and will help us maintain a mutual context of terms.
NEXT: More Than A Song Pt. 1
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