"Whatever Happened to God-Sensitive Worship?"
by Edwin M. Willmington
© 1995 Shepherd's Staff Worship Music
The words "sensitive" and "friendly" are buzz words that have become prevalent terms in the church over the past several years. Those are terms that I certainly think should be marks of the Christian community of any age or era. While I find myself rather intrigued with the trends that have been developed in worship styles the past few years, I have also discovered some sense of personal shame for getting caught up in some of the focus of these trends. Instead of "seeker-sensitive" or "user-friendly," it seems to me that when it comes to the worship of God we ought to be "God-friendly" or at the very least "believer-sensitive." Before you condemn me as stuck in the mud, irrelevant, or conservative, please allow me to explain. I have some critics who think our worship style is way over one edge or the other. A drama ministry and Integrity's Hosanna! Music are regular fare for us. On the other hand, other critics decry our use of a cappella music, as well as Bach and Handel here and there. So, you can see that I am firmly on both sides of the stylist fence. But, how can all of those styles coexist? Easy! Actually, they SHOULD coexist — as long as they all focus our attention to God!
What is at issue for me is the definition and focus of the worship service experience. We have been pounded by statistics about how "boomers," "busters," "blasters," and who knows what name we call our X, Y, and Z generations, respond to the church. We know that we have a visual world — therefore drama is in and slides are in, so goodbye forever to the hymnal. We know that the people we now minister to have short attention spans — sermons are to be 20 minutes in length and songs should not exceed 4 lines. We understand that our current generation wants things that give instant gratification — ergo, please repeat 3 of the 4 lines in the song and don't expect me to utter anything more than two syllable words. Because we want to be non-offensive to our "seeker" friends, don't bother with any Greek or Hebrew root meanings, and while you're at it, please go easy on how many times you use the word "God" in any given service. Also, in order to be "friendly" just don't ask for any participation — let's have slick performances only. But those are NOT worship related issues!
Now, I happen to believe that there are some things we need to learn from Barna, Anderson, Wagner, Hybels, and others. I believe that "by all means win some" applies to our generation as well as to any. I think in areas of discipleship and evangelism, our methodology should constantly be examined. I also believe that our worship services should be constantly evaluated as to relevant style and content. However, I distinctly draw the line when it comes to the directional focus of the worship experience. Why? Worship by definition is a vertical dialogue between God and man. With that in mind, items that cause us to be concerned with horizontal issues become non-worship issues. They are highly relevant to evangelism and discipleship but not to worship. It seems sometimes that we are so concerned about "user-friendly" and "seeker-sensitive" that vertical, "God-sensitive" worship is abandoned. We find ourselves formulating do’s and don'ts with horizontal criteria in view. Our great concern becomes not offending a "seeker" or "boomer." It seems as though we are sometimes avoiding the option of lifting our God up high to be honored, adored, praised, and worshipped so that HE can supersede all of our contrived formulas and draw all men to Himself. It appears that at times WE attempt to play the "God" role rather than allowing God to do the work that only He can do.
In considering these matters, I found myself thinking of coming face to face with men and women of the Bible who had life changing, vertical encounters with God. I thought of discussing with them my well researched statistics about how to best "boom" and "bust." I considered mentioning that I really knew how to sing the proper length of song so that I wouldn't offend anyone. I wondered if I should ask if they had ever considered drama as an option to highlight that biblical message they had delivered. I thought about Abraham willing to give up Isaac, Noah following God into the ark, Daniel not willing to compromise his godly convictions, and Moses and his anger with Aaron for false sacrifices. My mind went to the Levitical singers, in II Chronicles 5, who lifted their voices and instruments "in praise to the Lord," all those who brought perfect, acceptable sacrifices for worship, and Job, who in the face of great tribulation, said "I know that my Redeemer lives." I wandered to Mary, who gave herself to be the ultimate instrument of worship, Jesus, who said, "if I be lifted up, I will draw all men to Me," and on and on. My list doesn't even include people of post-biblical times — even in our modern times — who fought for true worship. I even thought about those who got zapped by God for not being honest with their worship — those who compromised and even lied about their sacrifices of worship. I didn't want to be one of them. When I thought of those people who had given so much with the vertical view in mind — and those who had failed — why would I be interested in any other sensitivity except for God-sensitivity? How could I possibly get caught up in the wisdom of mankind and forget that my calling was to point people heavenward to a God who seeks worshippers — not formula makers?
I can hear some of my detractors now saying, "But you don't understand that our Sunday services are not worship because they are outreach in their orientation, and that's why they are the way they are — and our worship is on Wednesday night." Yes, I do know that! I have read and observed and understand the concept. I admire the willingness to change the status quo to reach people. I also admire the fact that many churches with that concept have a non-Sunday worship service because they know the need for vertical, Godward worship. However, my attendant concern is this. I have yet to see a church with the Sunday outreach concept that has larger crowds at the worship times. You can't tell me that hundreds and thousands of people don't use those outreach services as their corporate worship service. They do — and it isn't worship! Not by anyone's admission. Not good! I wonder how and when those many people carry out their ultimate priority of Godward worship?
I beg all of you who have worship influence in the life of your church, please read and be willing to change but NEVER, in the context of worship, play around with facing upward. Don't get caught up with the cunning contrivance of man. Be honest in lifting up Jesus, Who will draw people to Himself. It will also make it a lot easier to face eternity knowing you've been true to your calling — most of all to face God, the object of our worship.
Have "God-sensitive" worship!
EMW
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