What is Worship?
by Jonathan Wangsgard
What is worship? Have you ever wondered about the term? Most people associate worship with the music sung in church. Worship has become a genre of music to which Christian radio stations are devoted. You hear fellow Christians say things such as, "The worship touched my heart today. I could really feel the Holy Spirit in the room during the worship time." A friend of mine to whom I had been witnessing started going to a church and said that her favorite part was the "worship." We have "worship bands" led by "worship pastors." Is this all there is to worship?
As someone who has been involved in "worship" for many years I became very curious about this question after reading Romans 12:1.
"Therefore I urge you, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship." Romans 12:1
As I read and studied, I began to realize that I had a limited and even incomplete view of what worship truly is all about. My view of the role music plays within church and the term "worship" has greatly changed due to a closer look into what the Bible says.
What is Biblical Worship?
In Hebrew of the Old Testament there are two words that we commonly translate as worship. Shachah means "to bow down, prostrate"; abad: "to serve." In Greek we have the words proskuneo and latreuo, which mean "to kiss the hand kneeling" and "to serve, minister to" respectively. Never do these words solely refer to the act of making music in praise to God.
Romans 12:1 really hits on this idea that worship in the lives of believers is far more than simply singing. It involves every aspect of life. When Latreuo is used is it literally means "a hired servant, service, to serve." Hebrews 9:1 & 6 both refer to worship in priestly service. Service involves prayer (Acts 13:2-3), giving (2 Corinthians 9:12), and general ministry of the Gospel.
What Does True Worship Look Like in the Body of Christ?
True service worship in the Body of Christ involves every part of the church service. Remember the idea behind the words that we translate as worship all have the connotation of service. In the Old Testament the priests "performed the divine worship" (Heb. 9:6) and we, as believers in Jesus Christ, are a royal priesthood (1 Peter 2:9). So, let's think about our Sunday. What elements often make up a church service? They aren't practiced by accident. Gathering together in fellowship on the Lord's Day for the sermon, giving of tithes, communion, baptism, prayer, and praise through music are all elements of worship. Each of us is meant to use our spiritual gifts in some capacity to encourage one another through service.
How Does This Affect Leaders of Church Music?
Church worship through music is meant to be corporate. Never should the leaders of music draw attention away from the Lord or hinder the Holy Spirit's work in the service. Their role is visible and therefor will garner attention from the congregation, but it is vital that those leading seek to direct it to the Lord and not bask in it. They are not rock stars. God inhabits the praises of his people (Psalm 22:3). This is not a select few performing, but everyone praising. Those who lead should be striving to create an atmosphere that is conducive to corporate praise of God. (Colossians 3:16)
Facilitating church worship through music is a very visible form of service, and those involved often receive much attention. This, however, should never be the sole ministry of these individuals. Among the spiritual gifts listed in the New Testament singing or instrumentation is never listed. Facilitators of worship need to be nurturing their spiritual gifts and applying them in service worship to benefit the body of Christ and bring glory to Jesus' name. In addition to this they must keep an attitude of humility remembering that all members of the body serve a function, having been placed there by God's desire. If one member suffers, all suffer. If one rejoices all rejoice. Every gift and member is important in the body of Christ. It is especially important for individuals in positions more easily noticed to be mindful of this. (Romans 12:1, 1 Corinthians 12)
It is most important that individuals involved in the facilitation of worship through music be actively pursuing a personal relationship with their Savior. Abiding as described in John 15 is the root of worship. It is the fulfillment of Christ's law of love. Without abiding in Christ, Christians begin to perform worship in ways that may defame God's Name and hinder His glory. Loving God and loving people will result in service worship that encourages others to come before the Lord corporately. (John 15)
Individuals who desire to serve the local body of Christ through music should first seek to abide in their Savior and use their spiritual gifts to encourage and build up the local body of Christ outside of a musical capacity. If this is actively growing in their lives, they show maturity in their interactions with others, and humility in the face of praise, then they are prepared for the ministry of music. This is an ideal. Every person involved will struggle through this process. This isn't an external legalism, but rather a process that is molded by the Spirit via the believers abiding submission to God. In more prominent music leadership roles it is more important that this be taking place.
With few directives in the Bible, worship through music must always submit to the guiding principles of God's word that govern the individual. If the individuals involved in the music of the local church are glorifying God in their own lives, their praises, psalms, and hymns will draw the corporate body to worship God in a manner that brings Him glory.
How Does this Affect The Body of Christ?
Believers must see the need to focus on true worship. Service worship. We are "bond-slaves" of Christ. We need to examine our lives to see whether or not we are truly "worshiping." If our takeaway from church is hinged upon the way the music made us feel on a given Sunday, we have missed the mark. If we think the pastor that leads singing is the "worship" pastor we are gravely mistaken. Every pastor is a "worship" pastor. He is a servant leading other servants of our Savior.
If we understand that each and every action we do in service to our Savior is "worship" it will have a transforming effect upon our outlook of the entire church service as well as the week that follows.
The communion is "worship." The sermon is "worship." The fellowship following the service is "worship." Giving of our offerings into the plate is "worship." The corporate time of prayer is "worship." Witnessing a new believer's baptism is "worship." The attitudes we have during our week are "worship." The way we respond to our friends and family is "worship." And yes... singing with hands raised in praise and adoration to our magnificent King to whom all glory, honor and power belong is "worship."
Each of these is an opportunity to serve our Lord and those around us. When we see ourselves as those who serve rather than those waiting to be served and entertained, we begin to take part as members of the body of Christ.
In Closing
As Christians, worship is a lifestyle of service toward our King that permeates every act we make. Is music worship? Yes. Is worship music. Not alone. It is important to not confuse the two, lest we find ourselves missing the mark in what worship truly is all about.
Further Reading:
Latreuo translated as service: Matthew 4:10, Luke 1:74, Luke 4:8, Acts 7:7, 7:24, 24:14, 26:7, 27:23, Romans 1:9, 2 Timothy 1:3, Hebrews 8:5, 9:14, 13:10.
Aspects of Worship:
Teaching the Word: 1 Thessalonians 5:27, 2 Timothy 4:2
Fellowship: Romans 12:4-5, Hebrews 10:24-25, Acts 2:42
Sacraments:
Prayer: Acts 4:24, 6:4, 10:9, 12:5, 13:3 Phil. 4:6; Col. 4:2; 1 Thess. 5:17; 5:25; 2 Thess. 3:1; 1 Tim. 2:1-2, 8
Praise: Acts 16:25, 1 Corinthians 14:26, Ephesians 5:14 & 19, Colossians 3:16, 1 Timothy 3:16, Hebrews 13:15, James 5:13, 1 Peter 2:5
Giving: 2 Corinthians 9:6-8, James 2:15-17, 1 John 3:17-18
The Lord’s Day: Revelation 1:10, Romans 14:5, Hebrews 10:25, 1 Corinthians 3:16, 1 Corinthians 16:2, Acts 10: 20
As someone who has been involved in "worship" for many years I became very curious about this question after reading Romans 12:1.
"Therefore I urge you, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship." Romans 12:1
As I read and studied, I began to realize that I had a limited and even incomplete view of what worship truly is all about. My view of the role music plays within church and the term "worship" has greatly changed due to a closer look into what the Bible says.
What is Biblical Worship?
In Hebrew of the Old Testament there are two words that we commonly translate as worship. Shachah means "to bow down, prostrate"; abad: "to serve." In Greek we have the words proskuneo and latreuo, which mean "to kiss the hand kneeling" and "to serve, minister to" respectively. Never do these words solely refer to the act of making music in praise to God.
Romans 12:1 really hits on this idea that worship in the lives of believers is far more than simply singing. It involves every aspect of life. When Latreuo is used is it literally means "a hired servant, service, to serve." Hebrews 9:1 & 6 both refer to worship in priestly service. Service involves prayer (Acts 13:2-3), giving (2 Corinthians 9:12), and general ministry of the Gospel.
What Does True Worship Look Like in the Body of Christ?
True service worship in the Body of Christ involves every part of the church service. Remember the idea behind the words that we translate as worship all have the connotation of service. In the Old Testament the priests "performed the divine worship" (Heb. 9:6) and we, as believers in Jesus Christ, are a royal priesthood (1 Peter 2:9). So, let's think about our Sunday. What elements often make up a church service? They aren't practiced by accident. Gathering together in fellowship on the Lord's Day for the sermon, giving of tithes, communion, baptism, prayer, and praise through music are all elements of worship. Each of us is meant to use our spiritual gifts in some capacity to encourage one another through service.
How Does This Affect Leaders of Church Music?
Church worship through music is meant to be corporate. Never should the leaders of music draw attention away from the Lord or hinder the Holy Spirit's work in the service. Their role is visible and therefor will garner attention from the congregation, but it is vital that those leading seek to direct it to the Lord and not bask in it. They are not rock stars. God inhabits the praises of his people (Psalm 22:3). This is not a select few performing, but everyone praising. Those who lead should be striving to create an atmosphere that is conducive to corporate praise of God. (Colossians 3:16)
Facilitating church worship through music is a very visible form of service, and those involved often receive much attention. This, however, should never be the sole ministry of these individuals. Among the spiritual gifts listed in the New Testament singing or instrumentation is never listed. Facilitators of worship need to be nurturing their spiritual gifts and applying them in service worship to benefit the body of Christ and bring glory to Jesus' name. In addition to this they must keep an attitude of humility remembering that all members of the body serve a function, having been placed there by God's desire. If one member suffers, all suffer. If one rejoices all rejoice. Every gift and member is important in the body of Christ. It is especially important for individuals in positions more easily noticed to be mindful of this. (Romans 12:1, 1 Corinthians 12)
It is most important that individuals involved in the facilitation of worship through music be actively pursuing a personal relationship with their Savior. Abiding as described in John 15 is the root of worship. It is the fulfillment of Christ's law of love. Without abiding in Christ, Christians begin to perform worship in ways that may defame God's Name and hinder His glory. Loving God and loving people will result in service worship that encourages others to come before the Lord corporately. (John 15)
Individuals who desire to serve the local body of Christ through music should first seek to abide in their Savior and use their spiritual gifts to encourage and build up the local body of Christ outside of a musical capacity. If this is actively growing in their lives, they show maturity in their interactions with others, and humility in the face of praise, then they are prepared for the ministry of music. This is an ideal. Every person involved will struggle through this process. This isn't an external legalism, but rather a process that is molded by the Spirit via the believers abiding submission to God. In more prominent music leadership roles it is more important that this be taking place.
With few directives in the Bible, worship through music must always submit to the guiding principles of God's word that govern the individual. If the individuals involved in the music of the local church are glorifying God in their own lives, their praises, psalms, and hymns will draw the corporate body to worship God in a manner that brings Him glory.
How Does this Affect The Body of Christ?
Believers must see the need to focus on true worship. Service worship. We are "bond-slaves" of Christ. We need to examine our lives to see whether or not we are truly "worshiping." If our takeaway from church is hinged upon the way the music made us feel on a given Sunday, we have missed the mark. If we think the pastor that leads singing is the "worship" pastor we are gravely mistaken. Every pastor is a "worship" pastor. He is a servant leading other servants of our Savior.
If we understand that each and every action we do in service to our Savior is "worship" it will have a transforming effect upon our outlook of the entire church service as well as the week that follows.
The communion is "worship." The sermon is "worship." The fellowship following the service is "worship." Giving of our offerings into the plate is "worship." The corporate time of prayer is "worship." Witnessing a new believer's baptism is "worship." The attitudes we have during our week are "worship." The way we respond to our friends and family is "worship." And yes... singing with hands raised in praise and adoration to our magnificent King to whom all glory, honor and power belong is "worship."
Each of these is an opportunity to serve our Lord and those around us. When we see ourselves as those who serve rather than those waiting to be served and entertained, we begin to take part as members of the body of Christ.
In Closing
As Christians, worship is a lifestyle of service toward our King that permeates every act we make. Is music worship? Yes. Is worship music. Not alone. It is important to not confuse the two, lest we find ourselves missing the mark in what worship truly is all about.
Further Reading:
Latreuo translated as service: Matthew 4:10, Luke 1:74, Luke 4:8, Acts 7:7, 7:24, 24:14, 26:7, 27:23, Romans 1:9, 2 Timothy 1:3, Hebrews 8:5, 9:14, 13:10.
Aspects of Worship:
Teaching the Word: 1 Thessalonians 5:27, 2 Timothy 4:2
Fellowship: Romans 12:4-5, Hebrews 10:24-25, Acts 2:42
Sacraments:
- Lord’s Supper: (Communion): Matthew 26:26-27, 1 Corinthians 11:23-26;
- Baptism: Matthew 28:19-20
Prayer: Acts 4:24, 6:4, 10:9, 12:5, 13:3 Phil. 4:6; Col. 4:2; 1 Thess. 5:17; 5:25; 2 Thess. 3:1; 1 Tim. 2:1-2, 8
Praise: Acts 16:25, 1 Corinthians 14:26, Ephesians 5:14 & 19, Colossians 3:16, 1 Timothy 3:16, Hebrews 13:15, James 5:13, 1 Peter 2:5
Giving: 2 Corinthians 9:6-8, James 2:15-17, 1 John 3:17-18
The Lord’s Day: Revelation 1:10, Romans 14:5, Hebrews 10:25, 1 Corinthians 3:16, 1 Corinthians 16:2, Acts 10: 20