WORSHIP: WHAT IT’S SUPPOSED TO DO

If anything shows that worship has morphed into something unrecognizable from what is seen in and encouraged by Scripture, it is the recent use of music to attract the unchurched. Special youth “church” events are now begun with a secular band to attract those who might not, without the secular band, have come. Many churches in order to attract the unsaved incorporate crossover genres of music in their worship services. I have had this explained to me this way: “We use crossover, kinda wild, music in our Sunday morning services in order to evangelize the lost.” My challenge in response was, “Where in Scripture is the purpose of music in worship ever presented as a way to attract or appeal to the unbeliever?” Of course, any church should be concerned for and engaged in reaching the unbelieving and unchurched. But should the worship be customized to appeal to the tastes of the unregenerate? What worship IS should determine HOW it is done. The reason so many churches are tweaking their worship to appeal to the unchurched is because they see the purpose of the worship as evocative. When its purpose is deemed evocative, worship is seen as the means of evoking emotional, approving response. Worship in Scripture and for most of Church history has been, not evocative, but attributive. When its purpose is deemed attributive, worship is seen as the means of attributing to God, through ascription, acknowledgement and adoration, the glory, praise, honor, and worth due Him. True worship is not about what is done to the worshipper (evocation) but about what is done to God (attribution). Worship purposed for evocation is done for the benefit of people. Worship purposed for attribution is done for the “benefit” of God. Admittedly, music/singing, which is often used in conjunction with and as a vehicle of worship, is evocative. Its sounds, language, rhythm, all of it, by its very nature is evocative—it evokes emotions, stirs desires, and creates passions. And, that’s fine. The point is, some songs are evocative in both nature and purpose; other songs are evocative in nature but attributive in purpose and message. In true worship a song is not chosen to evoke emotion but to attribute to God. A child ‘s medicine may be candy-flavored. It’s nature evokes pleasant taste. But, that is not the purpose of that medicine. The purpose is to cure an ailment. Worship errs when its components are chosen for and dedicated to the singular purpose of evoking. This is true not just of the music, but of the leading of a service, testimonials, the ambiance, and even the delivery of the message. The purpose for all the elements of a worship service should be attributive and not evocative. Evoking happens when a stimulus comes to a worshiper and brings a response from him. Attributing happens when something leaves a worshiper and is directed to God. Simply put, evocation is the worshiper getting. Attribution is the worshiper giving. The Psalms, which by nature are unmistakably evocative, by purpose are attributive. They urge the worshipers to “give” unto the LORD. Give thanks, give glory, give praise. Give; not, get. Here is a challenge: Observe the “worship” of a church. Observe the leading of the worship. Observe the selection of songs and their nature and message. Observe the response of the congregation. The purpose of that worship service will quickly become evident, whether the purpose is evocation of the people or attribution of God—whether the purpose is to get or to give. When our purpose in worship is attribution, that attribution will evoke. It will evoke emotion, desire, passion, devotion, and adoration, and, it will evoke more attribution. Oh, give unto the LORD the glory due His name. That’s what worship is supposed to do.

WORSHIP: WHAT IT’S SUPPOSED TO DO

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