What is Worship? First and foremost, Church leadership and music ministry should be honored and respected in the body of Christ.
We cannot deny that music ministry is such an important part of Christian church services today, but we need to remember it does not define the word Worship. If you study the word worship in the Bible from Genesis to Revelation it never really ties the word 'worship' to music. The word Worship means; to bow down (in reverence). That being said, when did Praise get demoted and replaced with music being defined as 'worship'? We know our praise to God can be a form of Worship to Him, and music is only one tangible way of expressing our worship to God that many identify with.
Some may ask how do we worship (bow down in reverence) in our everyday life? The short answer is to surrender our will for God's will, as Jesus did. (Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus... Philippians 2:5-read through v.11) Jesus was obedient to the Father's will,(Luke 22:42) unto death on the cross for us...and that is the mind that we are to have, to seek the Father's will and serve on another, esteeming others above ourselves (that is no easy task, but thank God He gave us a helper, the Holy Spirit is with us to guide us and teach us in all truth).
(Colossians 3:15-17 Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts. And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.) - emphasis added
All Christians are called to be the true worshipers, not just the musicians or those who appear to be "getting into" the praise & worship music the most intensely. The requirement for being a true worshiper is knowing His Spirit and knowing His truth, this speaks of an intimate relationship, and they are the kind of worshipers the Father seeks. (John 4:23-24 Yet a time is coming and has now come when the true worshipers will worship the Father in the Spirit and in truth, for they are the kind of worshipers the Father seeks. God is spirit, and His worshipers must worship in the Spirit and in truth).
Pray for the Music Ministers and all other leadership in your Church.
There is great importance to pray for your praise and worship leaders in your church, because the devil tries to take out the spiritual leaders first (especially the praise & worship leaders). When you know who Lucifer was and why iniquity was found in him, it makes a lot of sense…he fell because of pride associated with praise, worship, honor and glory directed to God (and it was Christian music, praise, worship, honor and glory…that Lucifer desired for himself). If the devil can divide them, frustrate them, cause them to envy, cause them to be bitter or steal their joy of the Lord, he can gain that foothold he is looking for in their lives, and the ripple effects are far reaching.
I have seen some worship leaders and church leaders attacked by insecurity, pride, envy, covetousness etc…and if it is not dealt with, that kind of leadership can be a hindrance rather than an asset (James 3:14-16). So pray for your music ministers and all other church leadership...and pray intensely for them, they are in a spiritual battle for the congregation and themselves.
We are all wired for worship and it goes way beyond an experience of music. Worship is our life and our hearts aligning with the heart of Jesus. (Ephesians 5:1 Therefore be imitators of God as dear children).
So even if we are creating a great praise and worship experience (or sermon) at our meetings, if the leaders life is not Christ-like there is a problem. A little leaven leavens the whole lump. (1 Cor 5:6-8,
So even if we are creating a great praise and worship experience (or sermon) at our meetings, if the leaders life is not Christ-like there is a problem. A little leaven leavens the whole lump. (1 Cor 5:6-8,
Think of the example of climbing Mount Everest; there are mountain guides that lead you up the mountain, because they intimately know the terrain of the mountain, they know the way up and back in all kinds of conditions, stormy to sunny. Spiritually speaking our music ministers and church leaders need to know Jesus intimately in their everyday life (worship), they are called to a very tight walk with Jesus. (Luke 12:28b From everyone who has been given much, much will be demanded; and from the one who has been entrusted with much, much more will be asked). How can one lead us up a mountain if they have never been there before or if they have never studied and have an intimate knowledge of the terrain? God does not look at our musical gifting or other talents we possess...He looks upon our heart in everything. (1 Samuel 16:7)
Praise and Worship - Our Story.
My wife and I really enjoy praise and worship, we are also leaders in a young adult ministry, however we are in season where we do not have a time of praise and worship at our meetings. We have Christian music playing in the background at the start and close of a typical meeting, but our focus has been on relationships with God and with each other. It has been awesome! If God were to have us do praise & worship time again, we will open to His leading and be obedient to Him, but at this time we are only bringing in music if it is purposeful and/or if He raises up praise & worship leaders (if God is in it, He will provide our needs).
Our prayers are that He leads us in the planning of our meetings, that His will be done, not our own. (Philippians 2:5) Our desire is to be sensitive to the Holy Spirit’s leading. (ref. James 4:8 As we draw closer to Him He will draw closer to us). That is not only an awesome invitation, it's a promise!
Praise and Worship - Our Story.
My wife and I really enjoy praise and worship, we are also leaders in a young adult ministry, however we are in season where we do not have a time of praise and worship at our meetings. We have Christian music playing in the background at the start and close of a typical meeting, but our focus has been on relationships with God and with each other. It has been awesome! If God were to have us do praise & worship time again, we will open to His leading and be obedient to Him, but at this time we are only bringing in music if it is purposeful and/or if He raises up praise & worship leaders (if God is in it, He will provide our needs).
Our prayers are that He leads us in the planning of our meetings, that His will be done, not our own. (Philippians 2:5) Our desire is to be sensitive to the Holy Spirit’s leading. (ref. James 4:8 As we draw closer to Him He will draw closer to us). That is not only an awesome invitation, it's a promise!
Remember, it is alright if you don’t have a time of praise and worship at your ministry meetings, as long as you are living your life for Jesus (living a life of worship before Him), having a Christ-like heart in all you do. Give your ministries and meetings to Him (they are His anyway). He knows the group you have and He knows what they need. May we as leaders, be in tune to His Spirit continually and to be sensitive to His leading in all things, to know what He would have us to do and be open to sudden changes He may have for us. God is faithful.
God is calling all His people to be closer to Him.
He desires us to draw close to Him (James 4:8) And when we are close to Jesus we will know the sound of His voice. (John 10) Jesus is the good Shepherd and the way to know His voice is by spending time with Him, worshiping Him in Spirit and Truth with your life, abiding in the True Vine. He has great plans for His people and desires a relationship with us intensely.
Let us hold each up other up, praying for our leaders, and encouraging our fellow Christians to be more like Jesus every day. (1 Thessalonians 5:11-13 Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing. Now we ask you, brothers and sisters, to acknowledge those who work hard among you, who care for you in the Lord and who admonish you. Hold them in the highest regard in love because of their work. Live in peace with each other).
God is calling all His people to be closer to Him.
He desires us to draw close to Him (James 4:8) And when we are close to Jesus we will know the sound of His voice. (John 10) Jesus is the good Shepherd and the way to know His voice is by spending time with Him, worshiping Him in Spirit and Truth with your life, abiding in the True Vine. He has great plans for His people and desires a relationship with us intensely.
Let us hold each up other up, praying for our leaders, and encouraging our fellow Christians to be more like Jesus every day. (1 Thessalonians 5:11-13 Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing. Now we ask you, brothers and sisters, to acknowledge those who work hard among you, who care for you in the Lord and who admonish you. Hold them in the highest regard in love because of their work. Live in peace with each other).
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