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Home > Articles > Defining Worship
Defining Worship
What worship is - and what it isn't.
Andy Park

Topics:Authenticity, Changes in worship, Contemporary worship, Experiencing God, Presence of God, Spiritual disciplines, Worship, Worship service, Worship style
Filters:Pastor, Worship, Worship leader
Purpose:Worship
References:Psalm 150, John 4:24, Revelation 5
Date Added:July 12, 2007

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In this ChristianityToday.com exclusive, the acclaimed worship leader best known for the song "In the Secret (I Want to Know You)" explains what it is — and what it isn't.

What is worship? It's all about exalting Christ, and anything that leads towards a Christ-like life is on the right track of true worship.

When we use the word "worship" as applied to what we do in a church service, then most of what I do is musically oriented. Of course, preaching, prayer, the Lord's Supper and even fellowship are all parts of worship. But there are several things that happen during the musical portion of worship. We express our love to God, and we sing and speak the Word to one another with psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs. We let the Word of Christ dwell in us by meditating about who God is and our role as children and servants.

That's the cognitive element. Then there's the spiritual or revelatory element—worshipping God with all that's within us. Part of that involves our emotions, engaging our whole being in this act.

Style and substance

There are many different legitimate musical styles you can use in worship music—everything from classical to rock, from black gospel traditions to liturgical traditions. I think there are strengths in each of those traditions.

Andy Park

Some of my favorite moments come when the instruments are playing gently and most of what you hear is the congregation singing. On the other hand, it's fine to rock out; the Bible is full of exuberant joy in worship. Both extremes, the quiet and the loud, have their place. We're emotional beings, and we need to worship with all of our emotions—from quiet meditation to raucous celebration.

I love to see youth jump around and go crazy. And I love seeing people be quiet as they listen to God. And I love everything in between. There's good in all of it.

A few tips from Andy Park

Some lessons I've learned along the way:

  • Use a lot of "proven" songs that most people know, regardless of their denomination. Check the CCLI's Top 25 song lists to find out what America—or another part of the world—is singing. But if you're talking purely about a local church setting, then you know what your church likes.
  • Don't teach too many songs in any one service, or in any one month. Don't overload people with too much new material.
  • Don't expect too much from the congregation in terms of responsiveness. Don't get down about what you perceive to be a lack of engagement from the congregation. Don't be discouraged by deadpan faces.
  • Make sure you have a pastor's heart in that you care for the church. They're not there to make you look good. You're there to set the table, to welcome them into God's presence, to be a servant.

While the particular musical style isn't a big deal, choosing the right songs is. The worship leader is responsible for presenting a broad, balanced picture of God through the songs he or she has chosen. We are singing theology—what we believe about God's character, and how we should respond to him.