WORSHIP TRENDS

So, the other day I was pondering on a lot of things concerning the way praise and worship is conducted in the church today. The more I gave much thought to this I realised that worship has become more like a thing of 'trends' nowadays. It is mostly dependant on what's 'hip and happening' in our surroundings and the music scene. Every church band wants to play the latest songs out on the market; the recently released stuff that's currently on high rotation on radio and television. Please don't get me wrong; there is nothing wrong with playing new music and learning new songs.

The problems I have gathered from these trends are:
ONE 
Very few people, if at all, compile their song list with the guidance of the Holy Spirit. People just check what's out there and BAM! a new song list.
TWO 
The congregation is forced to learn songs that aren't easy to catch on within the few minutes of the worship service.... and performed with a subtle spirit of pride and self reliance.
THREE
The worship is void of the power of the Holy Spirit.

Why?!...
Glad you asked!...

In my study of worship trends, I discovered that many worship leaders have developed an irking kind of competitive spirit, all in the name of Psalm 33:3. This has led them to seek perfection more than the face of God. The result is the following of these trends; trying to be the hippest worship band around; they trade an encounter with God for skills showcase.
Furthermore, a lot of people miss out on a (or what could have been a) great worship service, because of the chosen music style. It all just becomes a show. Only the praise team sings and dances while the congregation stands there with wandering minds, some sitting down playing candy crush saga (or social networking)... don't even try deny that you have done this in church... some doing the what-in-the-world-sideways-2-step-dance, some doing fake-worship (you know when you lift your hands [coz they said so] and make that face, whilst your mind is far from worship...yup! that is fake-worship)...

ok ok ok ... enough clowning...

Many worship leaders nowadays suffer from this syndrome; and the danger is that they don't even realise it. They can back it up with a whole lot of misinterpreted scripture.

What am I saying?

I believe in the Holy Spirit's guidance concerning all things in worship. I still believe that the music and the sermon can speak the same message, even though it is prepared by different people, without discussing it. The Spirit can, has and does confirm a sermon through worship before the pastor even takes the stage. How wonderful it is when the songs you sing are an introduction of the sermon. It keeps the service in sync, from beginning to end.
It is so unfulfilling when the praise team sings songs that make them look good, yet deprive the church of an experience with God.

I believe that the music should lead you into an encounter with God during rehearsals, before it comes to the congregational service; the worship should strip you, as the team, of all selfish ambitions prior to leading the congregation in worship.

This will happen only if the worship team invests more time in worship, prayer and study of the word during rehearsals; and not just expect skill to bring down the glory of God.

Let's get back to worshipping in spirit (with the aid of the Holy Spirit) and in truth (wholeheartedly)...

I hope this helps someone (or someones... is that even a word?!? Yes?! No?!? ... maybe it is)

Stay blessed and highly favoured

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Pastor G