ON CONTEMPORARY MUSIC FOR CHRISTIAN WORSHIP

Music has been a very influential art form to humanity since its existence. Influential in the sense that no single person will claim that he hates music, but rather appreciate and enjoy it. Some say that they are relieved and relaxed through listening music, while others regard it as part of their lives. I guess the love for music is innate to us humans.

It is very obvious that modern churches adopted music as their means of worship to God. Questions, whether rock music is appropriate in churches, were raised by those who argue that rock music is evil. As I have recalled that, our church fathers before uses a hymnal style of music during their fellowship or gatherings. In addition, some churches still adopt them today asserting that it should still be the style to follow these days. Well, of course, we ought not to completely reject hymnal songs for the fact that it became a basis for us to use music as an expression of worship, but to reject and completely condemn other music genres seems prejudiced to me.

As a believer, I have been to different churches and have observed that rock style is widely used during corporate praise and worship. Personally, I do not see anything wrong about it, especially that the motive is totally to glorify God alone. It may be true that it has demonic origins, but can’t we disregard its background and focus on the higher goal, which is to honor our God? Some would even say that the church is permitting the influence of this world by adopting its music styles, but again isn’t it a good thing to maximize whatever is in this world if it is glorifying God after all?

Modern technology has been very helpful and useful for spreading the goodness of God, and is not music a product of the world too? Sure, there will always be limitations for these, and I believe God will give us discernment to perceive and balance them provided that we have the desire to exalt Him through it.

I am not saying that we should imitate the worldly rock bands in our worship. Contemporary gospel bands have their own way of playing songs in a rock style and we can also follow it. We cannot deny the fact that most young people are into lively music. It is the modern trend and we cannot control it. I noticed that it is also effective in ushering many unbelievers to God. They are first attracted to the music, and then cultivate a genuine relationship with God as they continue joining the church services.

To reconcile things out, let us remind ourselves first of what worship really means. Apostle Paul instructs us in Romans 12:1 that our true act of worship is a life offered to God that is pleasing and Holy. Rick Warren further explains in his book, “The Purpose Driven Life” that worship can be expressed in our everyday activities. I also like how Kim Walker Smith, a worship leader of Jesus Culture, describes worship in one of her preachings. Worship according to her is not music, songs, and dance. These are just expressions of worship. She added that worship is our personal connection to God and nothing else.

It feels safer, for now, to conclude that any music genre or musical instruments as long as it is used to glorify God should be freely accepted and permitted in churches. I respect those groups who really have not practiced adding them in their corporate worship, but I hope that they will also understand the reason why churches like where I belong still incorporate them. Respect to each one’s way of worshiping is what we need.

May we continually have the freedom and creativity to express our worship to our Creator.