Series Sixteen: Godly Balance for Music and Worship Ministries

The purpose of this session is to provide an overview of biblical principles for music in corporate worship. It covers the purpose of music in the church, as well as practical applications rooted in wise and loving shepherding of the congregation.

What Is Biblical Worship?

1. Worship is the perpetual expression of the heart and life toward God. Throughout Scripture, there are a number of words that, taken together, provide a multifaceted picture of what worship is. It encompasses many aspects: submission, reverence, thankfulness, awe, and service. Worship is holistic; it involves the intellect, emotions, and will (Pss 45:1; 103:1; 51:17; Rom 1:9).
2. The purpose of music in worship
   1. Musical worship will ascribe worth to God (Ps 27:6).
   2. Musical worship will stir the emotions, lifting them toward God (Jas 5:13).
   3. Musical worship provides us with a memorable, powerful means of learning systematic doctrine through hymns (Ps 32:7; Eph 5:18–19).
   4. Musical worship will proclaim truth to the lost (Ps 40:3).
   5. Music is not an end, but a means to an end, which is the worship of God. Music itself is never the objective, nor is it the measure of worship.
3. Essential presuppositions underlying music and worship ministry
   1. The authority of Scripture: Some use the term “regulative principle” to mean that we confine our corporate worship practices to specific formats (and sometimes cultural norms) that are described in Scripture. But more broadly, it’s helpful to think of the regulative principle as a matter of Scripture’s authority. We derive our practices from and measure their success by the testimony of Scripture itself.
   2. Whole-life worship (John 4:24; Acts 17:28; Rom 12:1): Although they can be useful shorthand, terms like “worship leader” or describing music as “a time of worship” can be unhelpful; they suggest that worship is limited to music in the corporate assembly, when Scripture describes worship as holistic.
   3. Music and Scripture as an ordained marriage (Eph 5:18–19; Col 3:16; Rev 5:9): We sing because God sings (Zeph 3:17) and because He commands us to sing as well. Our corporate singing weds the sanctifying truth of Scripture with the affective power of music.

Six Guiding Principles for Music and Worship Ministry

1. Promote content-driven worship.
   1. The Spirit-controlled believer is richly indwelt by the Word of Christ (Col 3:16).
   2. Meditation on truth promotes a godly lifestyle that honors the Lord.
   3. Psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs: if the Word of Christ dwelling in us richly means that we will sing, it follows that what we sing should be filled with Scripture.
   4. Scriptural content will engage the mind and will be far more enduring than human expressions of devotion that are without explicit Scriptural basis.
2. Do everything for edification.
   1. 1 Corinthians 14:26—Corporate edification trumps personal preference. We defer to one another in love (Phil 2:3–4).
   2. Corporate worship is not about what we can get, but what we can give. “The Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve … ” (Matt 20:28).
   3. Some musical styles may be more helpful to edify the body of Christ than other styles. While the textual content itself should be straightforward to examine, matters of style are more difficult and require great wisdom and cultural awareness.
   4. Every aspect of the service should be orderly, not chaotic (1 Cor 14:40).
3. Avoid confusing associations with the world.
   1. Preferences regarding musical style should not be elevated to a position of scriptural authority (1 Cor 4:6). Believers are commanded to train their consciences and to grow in wisdom and understanding.
   2. However, we need to acknowledge that music is powerful.
      1. Learned, cultural associations to certain styles of genres are unavoidable. It’s naïve and irresponsible (and unloving) to ignore them in the corporate dynamic.
      2. Often, music naturally evokes a physical response.
      3. Choose and use music that evokes right, God-honoring responses like reverence, celebration, humility, right formality, and exultant joy.
   3. Musical choices require biblical clarity, maturity, and prayer.
   4. Define what is appropriate based on the congregation, the culture, and the resources available to your church body.
   5. Pursue a moderate middle that reflects a balance between the different backgrounds and cultures represented in the congregation. A desire to be “edgy” displays immaturity and recklessness towards the care of the congregation.
   6. Do not offend your brother or sister. Don’t be insensitive to someone else’s conscience.
4. Show reverence in corporate worship. Respect, awe, and honor are whole-life attributes (Heb 12:28–29). “God is in heaven and you are on the earth; therefore let your words be few” (Eccl 5:2).
5. Include the mature and elderly in the life of the church (Titus 2:4–5; 1 John 2:12–14). Don’t limit the age range of your church by strictly adhering to a musical sub-genre.

“Because the biblical command is for God’s people to sing, choose songs with musical construction that is conducive to congregational singing, not popular soloist-oriented singing.”

Four Weaknesses to Avoid

1. Avoid lyrics of dubious quality.
   1. In the past hymns were usually written not by musicians, but by theologians and pastors.
   2. Modern lyrics are often sentimentalized, shallow, and man-centered. Frequently they utilize expressions that have no biblical basis.
   3. We must always ask: does the song communicate truth in the way God intended?
2. Avoid emotion-driven worship instead of emotion-filled worship.
   1. Emotion is a gift, but it’s not the end goal.
   2. As leaders, we must de-emphasize the “worship experience” as a metric for success. The true expression of worship is the submission of the heart by faith to God’s truth—and this cannot ultimately be assessed merely by external observation (or even by a self-examination of our emotions).
3. Avoid catering to cultural trends and pragmatic interests.
   1. A right desire for evangelism must not lead to tampering with God’s design. God’s Spirit, working through the Word, is the real “worship leader.” Music does not bring people into the presence of God, nor does it do what only the Spirit can do.
   2. Ephesians 4:11–16—The church meets to praise God, pray, fellowship, edify one another, be equipped with doctrine, and prepare for evangelism.
   3. Unbelievers are welcome guests, but they are not participants, and they are not the object of programming in the corporate worship.
4. Avoid emphasizing form over substance.
   1. Yes, excellence and preparation matter, but …
   2. Musical excellence for its own sake, without humility and eternal focus, leads to pride and conceit.
   3. Culture and styles will change, but unchanging truth needs to be emphasized.
   4. “It is required of stewards that one be found trustworthy” (1 Cor 4:2)—not creative. Although creativity has a place in corporate worship, it must be carefully kept in its right place and never elevated above the need for edification and faithfulness.

Practical Tips for a “Blended Worship Service”

1. Use both traditional and contemporary elements.
   1. There is excellent material from both the old and the new—and much from both that should be discarded.
   2. Discernment requires maturity in the musicians and the congregation.
2. Teach the importance of historical hymnology.
   1. Consider the benefits of using old hymns:
      1. Teaches thrilling theology of profound depth and precision
      2. Cultivates an appreciation for the past legacy of godliness
      3. Creates a bridge between old and young in the congregation
      4. Maintains a certain level of familiarity
   2. Suggestions for using old hymns
      1. Some hymn tunes may be re-written, but many are excellent in their original form and can often be modernized while preserving the familiar tune and rhythm.
      2. Consider instrumentation. Some modern instruments may not be ideal for older hymns.
      3. If an old hymn is sung to a modern tune, consider adding a traditional verse or chorus as a bridge to what is familiar.
   3. Disadvantages of eliminating older hymns
      1. Profound depth is often missing from contemporary lyrics.
      2. A church that uses only contemporary music tends to lose its classically-trained musicians and will become musically and stylistically one-dimensional.
3. Use good contemporary music.
   1. Benefits of using contemporary hymns and praise music:
      1. Many modern songs consist of direct praise or prayer to God.
      2. Allows the modern generation to use its musical and lyrical talents
      3. Creates a bridge from the older saints to the younger
      4. Challenges the body of Christ to think deeply and carefully about theology
   2. Evaluating contemporary hymns and songs
      1. Must be God-centered, not man-centered
      2. Must convey truth with accuracy and clarity
      3. Should reflect a creativity that evidences the fruit of the Spirit
      4. Should communicate high spiritual ideals and thoughts
      5. Should evoke a wholesome response toward holiness and eternal things
      6. Should enhance the pulpit ministry but never overshadow it
      7. Should never allow style to have mastery over substance