Heart of Worship
“Worship” is a word that invokes various responses and emotions within the Christian circle. It is an aspect of our spiritual formation we all desire to grow in. I have been part of a worship team for almost 20 years and there is still so much about worship to learn, unpack and experience.
Over the years that I have served as a worship leader, I have come to realize, ironically, that my role to lead the congregation into the presence of God is, in fact, quite dispensable. Hebrews 10:19-22 says, “Therefore, brothers, since we have confidence to enter the holy places by the blood of Jesus, by the new and living way that He opened for us through the curtain, that is, through His flesh, and since we have a great priest over the house of God, let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, with our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water.” So, our confidence to enter the holy places is by the blood of Jesus, and I am reminded that my role is to be a signpost, pointing people to the presence of God, not a gatekeeper. Friends, it is the blood of Jesus that washed you clean and gave you access into the presence of God, our Father. Take some time to pause and meditate on this amazing grace given to us.
Over the years that I have served as a worship leader, I have come to realize, ironically, that my role to lead the congregation into the presence of God is, in fact, quite dispensable.
How can we deepen our worship, both in church and in our personal lives? The beginning of our corporate Sunday worship starts in the quietness of our personal walk with God. As we read the Bible, the Holy Spirit convicts us of things in Scripture. As we follow God wholly in obedience, we experience His grace and mercy. The culmination of knowledge and experiences is the birthplace of worship, as words and emotions amalgamate, creating songs of praise and adoration. In our own right, we can all be songwriters.
As a worship leader, the times I encounter God most strongly is when I’m all alone playing four chords on repeat, and I just sing whatever is in my heart or on my mind. It’s almost like singing my prayers. Singing familiar hymns is great, but singing lyrics that are from our present experience(s) is even better.
How can we grow as a church by singing our own songs on Sunday, while there are lyrics projected on the screen? Firstly, we sing corporately to encourage those around us. If you have noticed, the same songs are often repeated over the weeks. Our intention is for everyone to move beyond processing the music and the lyrics to meaning what we sing. Secondly, most songs will have an “Instrumental” section, but it is not to show off a musician’s talents. This is the section which we can capitalise on, to sing our own song to God. It’s your time to be the songwriter of your Sunday worship. In other words, you can sing what you will, to adore our Lord Jesus and thank Him for His love, His grace and His mercy.
Recently our worship team has been reading together, “Worship Matters”, and the author Bob Kauflin writes, “God himself used music as a means to help people remember His Word. As the Israelites were about to enter the Promised Land, God told Moses to teach them a song so that “when many evils and troubles have come upon them, this song shall confront them as a witness (for it will live unforgotten in the mouths of their offsprings)” (Deuteronomy 31:21). This is the power of using worship songs to supplement our daily walk with God. There will be times of joy, sorrow, hurt, rejection, and sometimes it is difficult to recall the right verse(s) to encourage our souls. Yet the Psalmist gives us a hint by reminding us to rejoice in the Lord always.
How can we grow as a church by singing our own songs on Sunday, while there are lyrics projected on the screen?
It is my hope to see our church here in HVMC grow to express our worship to God freely in whatever ways we connect with God best - from the recital of age-old liturgy, groanings too deep for words, or singing our present situation to God, we welcome it all as we grow together as a church that builds up and reaches out.
Theophilus Tan
