A Biblical Methodology of Congregational Worship
Scott Aniol“What worship style do you use?” “Do you prefer traditional or contemporary worship?” “Is worship for us or for God?” These questions and many more like them are prevalent in evangelical circles. The issue of worship methodology has become very controversial because the Bible doesn’t prescribe a particular worship “style.” How can believers decide what pleases the Lord in this very important area?
Establishing a Methodology of Congregational Worship For a Christian, every decision should have a scriptural, theological basis as its foundation. The Word of God is the only certain, objective source of criteria for decision-making. A theology of a topic is what the Bible teaches about that topic. This may involve explicit instructions or implicit principles.
From that theology must flow a believer’s philosophy. Based on the scriptural principles that have been gathered concerning a topic, the believer must develop a philosophy. A philosophy is the “why” and the “how” of the topic.
Finally, the believer can formulate a methodology based on that philosophy. This is the “what” of the topic—the nitty-gritty decisions and choices that need to be made every day.
Unfortunately, many Christians skip the first two steps when making decisions, or their methodology is completely inconsistent with their professed theology and philosophy. In reality, the inconsistent methodology is simply an indication that they don’t really believe their theology and philosophy. A person’s methodology is a foolproof indicator of a person’s theology.
A Theology of Congregational Worship What Is Worship? All of the controversy over what worship really is has driven believers to ask this very important question—What is worship? In reality, worship is why we exist (Is. 43.6-7). It is therefore very important that we develop a sound, biblical definition of what it means to worship. In order to do so, we must go to the Scriptures. Any definition is insufficient unless it finds its basis in the Word of God.
Throughout Scripture two elements predominantly characterize worship—a presentation of truth and a biblical response to that truth. A brief survey of some passages will demonstrate this point:
Nehemiah 8.1-6 So on the first day of the seventh month Ezra the priest brought the Law before the assembly. He read it aloud from daybreak till noon. And all the people listened attentively to the Book of the Law. Ezra praised the Lord, the great God; and all the people lifted their hands and responded, “Amen! Amen!” Then they bowed down and worshiped the Lord with their faces to the ground.
Matthew 28.9 Suddenly Jesus met them. “Greetings,” he said. They came to him, clasped his feet and worshiped him.
In each case (and there are many more), worship involves a biblical response (either external or internal) to a presentation of truth about God. This is the essence of true, biblical worship—response to truth. Jesus summarized this fact when he said,
“God is spirit, and his worshipers must worship in spirit [internal response] and in truth” (John 4.24).
True worship, therefore, is not confined to Sunday morning. All of life should be worship. Every act, thought, and attitude of a Christian should be a biblical response to truth about God. This is expressed throughout the New Testament:
Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God—this is your spiritual act of worship (Romans 12.1).
Therefore, worship can be defined as follows: Worship is a biblical response to God resulting from an understanding of biblical truth about God.
What is Congregational Worship? Congregational worship is more focused than general “lifestyle” worship. Congregational worship is the gathering of the people of God in order to corporately worship Him as His people. This form of worship is clearly commanded and exemplified in Scripture:
Psalm 149.1 Praise ye the LORD. Sing unto the LORD a new song, and his praise in the congregation of saints.
Congregational worship was also exemplified in the early church (Acts 2.42-47; 13.1-3). It is clear both from Old Testament command and from New Testament example that God desires believers to lift His praises together. He wants His children to gather for the purpose of honoring Him. This worship is still individual, heart-felt response toward God, but it is done publicly in the presence of other believers. This brings God even more glory than if it were done privately. C. H. Spurgeon said, “Personal praise is sweet unto God, but congregational praise has a multiplicity of sweetnesses in it.”
It is also important to recognize the worship language that Paul uses to describe the New Testament Church:
1 Corinthians 3.16-17 Don’t you know that you yourselves [as a congregation] are God’s temple [naos, same word used for the Holy Place in the Temple] and that God’s Spirit lives in you [plural]? If anyone destroys God’s temple, God will destroy him; for God’s temple is sacred, and you [plural] are that temple.
1 Peter 2.5 You [plural pronoun] also, like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house [oikos, ”dwelling”] to be a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.
Therefore, congregational worship could be defined as follows: Congregational worship is a unified chorus of biblical responses toward God expressed publicly to God resulting from an understanding of biblical truth about God.
A Philosophy of Congregational Worship From this theology, we can determine a biblical philosophy of congregational worship. First, congregational worship must be God-oriented. Because congregational worship is specifically designed to be a response to God because of biblical truth about Him, God must be the center of the service. Because the Bible is our only objective source of truth about God, Scriptural truth about God should be the content of congregational worship. Because worship is intended to be a response to God, congregational worship should be directed to God.
Second, congregational worship must be doctrine-oriented. Because believers can respond only when they have understood biblical truth, congregational worship should be filled with doctrinal truth. Because worship requires understanding doctrine and understanding requires work, believers should not shy away from elements in the service that have deep, thought-provoking content.
Third, congregational worship must be affection-oriented. Eighteenth-century theologian Jonathan Edwards made a distinction within the broader category of emotional response. According to Edwards, “passions” are emotions that are immediately gratifying, shallow, and result from emotionalism that bypasses the intellect. Since understanding of truth is bypassed, this kind of emotionalism is not acceptable for congregational worship. Instead, service elements that develop God-honoring affections should be used for congregational worship. “Affections” are emotions that result from volitional acknowledgment of objective truth. They take work to develop and are more lasting and pleasing to the Lord. Affections toward God are the essence of true worship.
Fourth, congregational worship must be congregation-oriented. Because the purpose of congregational worship is that believers join together as the body of Christ to express a unified response to God, service elements that are individualistic or personal do not have a place in congregational worship. Music used in congregational worship should be limited to that which expresses objective truth that applies to all Christians.
A Methodology of Congregational Worship We have seen that true worship has two parts—a presentation of truth and response to that truth. Both of these must be present in a worship service for worship to take place. Therefore, every element in the service will facilitate one or both of these.
The Congregation as Participants Every member of the congregation is responsible to worship the Lord during a worship service. A “spectator” mentality of people in the pews is easy to develop but clearly anti-biblical. You should be engaged in worship at all times during the service. If there is a lag between “events,” use that time for prayer and response to the Lord.
Congregational singing is one of the most important aspects of a worship service. It is the one event where every member of the congregation can verbally worship the Lord together. Make good use of this time to understand the biblical truth expressed in the hymns and respond to the Lord through the music.
Worship Leaders The purpose of the music director, orchestra, choir, and other musicians is to lead in the worship of God. Their purpose is not to entertain or perform. Their purpose is to lead the rest of the congregation in worship. The congregation should participate with the worship leaders.
During an instrumental number, meditate on the words of the hymn and notice how the musical arrangement strengthens the message of the text. If you don’t know the words, open your hymn book and meditate on the text.
During a vocal number, strive to worship along with the group or soloist by understanding truth and responding with them. The music will aid in the learning of truth and the expression of response.
If the song primarily teaches doctrine, strive to understand its implications and respond to the Lord accordingly. If it primarily expresses a response, strive to join with the musicians in your heart.
Word from God View preaching as the primary time when God speaks during the service. This is the time when believers are confronted with clear, biblical truth from God. Every attempt should be made to be sensitive to conviction from the Lord. Worship occurs only when you acknowledge truth and respond with change, affection, or consecration to God.
Does Order Matter? There are two primary purposes for carefully thinking through an order of service. The first is to make sure that biblical worship is taking place. The service must allow for adequate presentation of truth and response to that truth.
Second, a carefully planned order of service can help the congregation more easily recognize and think through what they are doing. There is no biblically ordained order of service, but too many churches plan their service with little or no thought. God deserves better.
What music should be chosen? Only music that fits our philosophy of congregational worship should be chosen. We should chose only music that is primarily objective in content, Godward as opposed to man-centered, and that which applies to all believers as a whole. Sentimental, individualistic music, no matter how true, should not be chosen for congregational worship.
We should strive to chose the best hymns, both in their texts and musical styles. We should chose music that fits a particular function within the service and that will maintain a mood of reverence and solemnity before the Lord.
Conclusion Methodologies are not inspired; they are derived from biblical theology and philosophy. Our goal should be that our methodology be driven by our theology. Personal preference or taste is not the primary criterion. Our Methodology of Congregational Worship should come from our understanding the Word of God.
Scott Aniol is Associate Pastor at First Baptist Church in Rockford, Illinois.
Psalm 100: A Call to Genuine Worship
Scott WilliquetteUnfortunately in the modern church the worship of God is taking a back seat to the meeting of human needs. People no longer attend church to worship and adore God. They do so in order to have their felt needs met and their egos stroked. The worship of God through the proclamation of His Word and the singing of His praises, has been largely replaced with the soothing and encouraging of man. God is no longer the focus of the church’s services; man is now the focus. Songs are no longer sung to God for His enjoyment and pleasure, rather they are sung to man for his enjoyment and pleasure. In response to these modern trends Psalm 100 calls us back to genuine worship. Psalm 100 describes what genuine worship “looks like” and why God deserves our vibrant worship.
What genuine worship “looks like” In Psalm 100 the Psalmist describes genuine worship in very graphic terms. First, genuine worship involves joyful shouting (v1). The Hebrew command translated “make a joyful noise” is used in the OT to refer to many types of sounds. It can mean to “raise a shout,” or “to give a blast on a horn.” It sometimes refers to “the shout of a war-cry” or “an alarm during battle.” Often it is used of “a shout of triumph” after a military victory. No matter what the context, this word always signifies a loud ringing sound that draws the attention of those in close proximity. God’s children are commanded to worship with energetic praise. This energetic bubbling of praise to God should eclipse any type of grumbling, complaining, ridicule or gossip.
Second, genuine worship involves happy service for the Lord (v2a). This command to “serve” can refer to labor for the Lord in general, or more specifically to the Lord’s service in the temple. Probably both ideas are in view. God commands us to worship Him by our service. We are commanded to serve Him in both daily life and in His house of worship. This service, no matter how dirty, difficult or tiring should be performed with gladness of heart. A Christian who serves the Lord grudgingly or with a complaining spirit is living in sin.
Third, genuine worship involves singing to the Lord in His house (v2b). When we consider the formal worship of the Lord as it’s described in the Bible, we find two main elements consistently mentioned – the proclaiming of God’s Word and the singing of God’s praises. Some modern church services are short on biblical preaching and long on music and singing. On the other hand, some Christians don’t think the singing of God-honoring music is necessary or significant in worship. The Psalmist would disagree. There is something about our singing praises to God that brings Him pleasure. God places great value on music that is performed for His glory. We should never take worshipful congregational singing or special music lightly. God is pleased by it. God enjoys it. God’s worship is not complete without it.
Fourth, genuine worship involves a spirit of thanksgiving (v4a,c). Twice the Psalmist commands us to approach the Lord in His House with an attitude of thanksgiving. To walk into God’s place of worship with a complaining spirit, or a selfish heart, or foolish pride, is sin. We should approach the Lord’s worship overwhelmed with thankfulness for all He is and has done for us.
Fifth, genuine worship involves approaching God with an attitude of praise (v4b,d). Worship is not worship when man is the focus. Worship is worship when God alone is the focus. If the goal of our gathering is anything other than ascribing to God the praise He alone deserves, then our gathering is void of genuine worship.
Why God deserves to be worshiped The Psalmist not only tells us what genuine worship “looks like,” but he also tells us why God deserves to be worshiped.
God deserves to be worshiped because He is God.
First, God is the only sovereign God (v3a). The Hebrew word translated “God” stresses God’s strength, power and majesty. Here the Psalmist is probably comparing the Lord to the gods of the pagan nations. His point is that unlike the lifeless and powerless gods of the nations, the Lord, “He is God.” The Lord is great, strong, powerful and majestic. In a word, the Lord of Israel is sovereign. He is the almighty God. He is the one true God who possesses all power and majesty.
Second, God is the Creator (v3b). God is not only the sovereign and majestic God, but He also is the God who created us. The next phrase is very convicting to a race of beings that thinks it is the center of the universe. God created us, “and not we ourselves.” Whether we want to admit it or not, we like to think we are in control and that everyone around us should take us into consideration because of who we are. Often we think and act as if we are the center of the universe. On the contrary, we are nothing more than created beings. We have nothing that we have not been given: whether intellectual abilities, physical skills, social or economic advantages, a healthy physical constitution, or any amount of physical attractiveness. We are nothing more than beings designed, formed and sculpted by a sovereign, holy and loving God.
Third, God is the Shepherd of His people (v3c). The Psalmist is referring here to Israel (“His people”). He stresses that as His people, Israel is God’s special possession and that He watches over, provides for, and cares for her as a shepherd does His sheep. As God’s adopted child through repentant faith in Christ, you too are His special possession and one of His sheep. What does that mean? It means that like a shepherd, God is watching over you, guiding you, providing for you, and protecting you. It means that God will meet your every need.
God deserves to be worshiped because He is good.
First, God is good (v5a). The Hebrew word rendered “good” means that God, as to His nature and character, is “good, pleasant, and delightful.” There is nothing in God that is black or shady. There is nothing in God that is tainted with wickedness. You never have to wonder what God’s character is like or what kind of mood He is in. God is always good, pleasant, and delightful.
Second, God is always loving (v5b). This word “mercy” refers to God’s loving kindness to His people. That loving kindness is everlasting. It endures forever. We know that God loves the world generally. But God also loves His children in a very special way. There are a few things in this life that are unquestionably true, and one of them is that God loves you with a special and everlasting love.
Third, God is always faithful (v5c). This word “truth” can also be rendered “firmness” or “faithfulness.” The Psalmist’s point is that God is faithful to His children and that His faithfulness never ends. God is faithful through every generation. God is perfectly reliable. People will fail you, but God never will!
Conclusion God is not worshiped by our mere church attendance. He is worshiped when we enter His house with joyful shouting, happy service to Him, reverent singing, thankful hearts, and an overwhelming attitude of praise. Does that kind of worship just come naturally? Will you be able to muster it up from within yourself? No. God-honoring worship as described in Psalm 100 will be the response of any believer who takes his eyes off of himself and places them on God. When you focus on God as your majestic Creator who cares for you like a shepherd, and when you consider the fact that God is in every respect and in every situation good, loving and faithful to you, then and only then will a genuine spirit of worship envelop you. Focus on the Lord and worship Him!
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