Clearly, one of the most dramatic developments in the modern (and postmodern) Christian church has been the emergence of the contemporary Praise & Worship movement and its renewed emphasis on personal and corporate worship. It is a movement that can be observed in church services, youth gatherings, and even on Christian radio. It has ignited “music wars,” helped facilitate explosive church growth, and birthed an entirely new segment in the concert and recorded music industry. It is, without question, a phenomenon that is changing the face of the church.
I’m right in the middle of it. In addition to my role as a Professor of Media Studies at Belmont University, I serve as the Worship Pastor of Nashville’s The Grace Place, a dynamic and growing church. I work with an incredible group of talented musicians, singers, and technical crew. We have all the tools—a better-than-average sound system; a large and comfortable worship “space;” and a great relationship with a very supportive Senior Pastor. I love it!
But I think about worship a lot. I know it’s more than a set of well-written, well-played, and well-sung songs. There is that tension between worship that makes me feel “good” and worship that makes me feel “bad” (Isaiah 6). There is also the tension between listening to a really good praise team making great music and intentionally entering the Presence of God, regardless of how good or bad the music is. And then, there is that whole “worship Him in Spirit and Truth” thing. What does that really mean? So, I think about it…and beginning now, I will “think out loud” at this site with this blog: Spirit & Truth. I hope you’ll join me each week to consider our highest calling—worship. In fact, when you can, join the conversation. Let me know what you think. E-mail your thoughts to: richprof@aol.com. Next week, we explore an important question: Worship Leader or Lead Worshipper?
Tags: Worship