Relevant Truths/Doctrines  Worship  Spirituality  Truth  Spiritual Battle  Unity  Spiritual Maturity  Submission

Music and Worship I.References II.Technical Development A. Musicology B. Beauty C. Physiology of Music III.Biblical Development A. Directive/Descriptive/Principle B. Textual Exposition IV.Sacred Music—Standards and Hymnody V.FAQs VI.Summary/Conclusion

Standards A.Content B.Arrangement C.Instrumentation

Arrangement A.Melodious B.Complementary of Content C.Edifying (vs. Entertaining) D.Emotions-sanctifying (vs. Emotions-indulging/inciting/inflaming)

“Over the past half century, a subtle change has taken place in local churches: the sanctuary has become a theater, ministry has become performance, worship has turned into entertainment ('a fun time'), and applause, not the glory of God, has become the measure of success. In short, the 'worship of God' is no longer taken seriously by many of God's people, and so subtly has the change occurred that, like a frog in a kettle, we haven't even noticed what's happened. Churches still use the word worship but its meaning has changed. Too often 'worship' is only a word people use to give religious respectability to whatever they've planned for the congregation to do on Sunday morning, whether God is the focus of the meeting or not.” pg. 170

From Sanctuary to Theater From Congregation to Audience From Ministry to Performance From Worship to Entertainment From Glorifying God to Applauding His Servants

From Sanctuary to Theater From Congregation to Audience From Ministry to Performance From Worship to Entertainment From Glorifying God to Applauding His Servants

“No matter what the surroundings, a sanctuary is a place where people gather to worship and glorify their Lord. Depending on the attitudes of and aims of the worship leaders and the congregation, a church edifice can be turned into a theater—or a dance hall can become a temporary cathedral.” pg. 171

From Sanctuary to Theater From Congregation to Audience From Ministry to Performance From Worship to Entertainment From Glorifying God to Applauding His Servants

“A Christian congregation gathers to worship Jesus Christ and glorify Him, while an audience assembles to see and hear a performance 1...Individuals in an audience assemble as spectators, but individuals in a congregation unite as participants.” pg. 171 “ 1 Some well-meaning worship leaders tell us that 'traditional worship' in the 'old days' was carried on by spectators, while 'contemporary worship' in these modern times involves participants. But the contrast is an artificial oversimplification. Only God knows whether a person in a congregation is truly worshiping Him, for only God can see the heart. The fact that two thousand people are all clapping with the music as they sing doesn't prove they're participating in real worship any more than that fifty people sitting in a quiet Quaker meeting are all listening to God in their hearts and loving Him. When worship leaders make external actions ('participation') the main test of internal attitudes, they are treading on dangerous ground.” pg. 215

From Sanctuary to Theater From Congregation to Audience From Ministry to Performance From Worship to Entertainment From Glorifying God to Applauding His Servants

From Sanctuary to Theater From Congregation to Audience From Ministry to Performance From Worship to Entertainment From Glorifying God to Applauding His Servants

“We minister publicly primarily to express, to share God's truth in sermon, song, and testimony; but we perform to impress, using our abilities to give people 'their money's worth' of enjoyment and entertainment. The minister knows that God is listening and watching and that His approval is all that matters; the performer cares only for the applause of the audience. We have our 'evangelical superstars' these days, both preachers and musicians, and they have their agents and fan clubs, and some of this commercial spirit can easily creep into the ministry of local churches. This 'performance approach' is eagerly encouraged by 'worshipers' who feed on television trash all week and attend church primarily 'to meet their needs.'” pp

From Sanctuary to Theater From Congregation to Audience From Ministry to Performance From Worship to Entertainment From Glorifying God to Applauding His Servants

From Sanctuary to Theater From Congregation to Audience From Ministry to Performance From Worship to Entertainment From Glorifying God to Applauding His Servants

“Worship is God-centered and we do it because we love Him and want to please Him, whether we 'get anything out of it' or not. Entertainment is self-centered and people-pleasing, and if the people don't 'get something out of it,' they complain. You can usually tell when a church service is geared more toward entertainment than toward worship. You will note the absence of silence during the service, the theatrical use of lights, and the desire to make everybody 'feel good.' You will also recognize the casual cleverness of the participants (often sounding like standup comedians), and the emphasis on 'coming attractions' rather than the importance of the immediate opportunity for worship. All of this contributes to the minimizing of the transcendent greatness of a holy God. As A. W. Tozer reminded us years ago, it's difficult to get people to attend a meeting where God is the only attraction.” pg. 173

From Sanctuary to Theater From Congregation to Audience From Ministry to Performance From Worship to Entertainment From Glorifying God to Applauding His Servants

“If performance is what the people want and entertainment is what they came to church to get, then their obvious response should be applause for the performers who entertained them.” pg. 173

“The undisciplined use of clapping in Christian worship is helping to turn worship into entertainment and to focus too much attention on the servants rather than on the Master. Entertainment is enjoyment without enrichment, while worship enriches the ministers and the congregation. I've been in services where the worship leader didn't instruct us to clap as we sang the song, but a member of the congregation decided to do it, and the people assumed they were supposed to follow. How do we know this assumption was correct? All kinds of evangelical exhibitionists attend religious services, and I think it's unwise for us to allow them to take over. Suppose someone stood up in the middle of my sermon and told me he was instructed by God to finish the message? Should I turn the pulpit over to him? Then why should I let individuals in the congregation tell me to clap just because they want to clap?” pg. 174

From Sanctuary to Theater From Congregation to Audience From Ministry to Performance From Worship to Entertainment From Glorifying God to Applauding His Servants