Focus on the Worship, Not the Music

I just attended a 3 day event in my church, with a 30min worship session each evening. Worship, music-wise, on the first two days were ok because several members from the youth music ministry were involved, but none of the musicians on the third day were in the music team, and did not have as much experience. This showed noticeably, as, for example, the band wasn't very tight, and did not control the dynamics very well.

But the worship itself was the most intimate and intense as compared to the previous 2 sessions, for the congregation. It isn't surprising though, because over the past two days, people were confessing and repenting of their sins, opening their hearts to God's voice, and getting right with God again.

This reminded me that worship must be God-led. Good worship doesn't happen because the band or the music is 'cool'; rather, good worship occurs because the worshiper loves and seeks the Lord.

Many of us serve in our church's music team, and we must remember, during rehearsals, not to focus too much on the music, but to focus on the worship instead. Instead of using the music to induce a sense of worship, the music should be aligned to what the worshiper would like to sing to express his or her feelings and praise to God. In other words, we play good music not because we need good music to be able to worship, but because we want to give God the best kind of worship we can give.

In a way, the music doesn't matter as much as we might like to think, because music is an expression of worship, and not a crutch we need to worship. I help out with my church's deaf service often, and they don't use music, of course. Worship comprises mainly of reading and signing song lyrics, and the worship is as engaging and intimate as any with music!

Lastly, musicians often focus too hard on their instruments, rather than on worshiping. Try to worship while you're playing, and let your playing be an extension of the worship in your heart, rather than a set of notes that you've practiced for. It may be hard to do so, thus you need to practice hard at home, and not overexert yourself during service.

by Kenny (http://guitarpraise.blogspot.com)