Step #7 - Make Worship a
Spiritually Nurturing Experience

5/27/04

I participated in a fascinating group conversation at our church. The Alpha leadership team was evaluating the just concluded 10 week Alpha course on practical Christianity.  The comments of the whole group were positive - until we arrived at the subject of music. Several of the team members complained that the music was not right. It was too difficult to sing. It didn't feel right, nor was it right. They suggested several other songs. Those who complained were all over 60. However, they were not advocating singing hymns. They wanted to sing "contemporary Christian music."
 
This was interesting because we were singing "contemporary Christian music." Our guitarist and music leader was in his 20's, playing current Christian songs. I knew several of them because I have teen-agers at home. These were the songs they listened to and sang.
 
Then, it struck me. What was contemporary to the older team members was, in actuality, the music of 10 - 20 years ago that they knew and loved. However, for the song leader and the 20's and early 30's something people we were trying to reach, contemporary meant within two years.
 
What did I experience that evening?

• Worship is a heart language, as well as a head language. People want to worship in ways that connect to their heart.
• The familiar exerts a powerful influence on our worship experience.
• Worship components, including music, can be taught and introduced in such a way as to make them familiar.
• Spiritually nurturing worship takes effort. It requires thought, creativity, and advanced planning. Usually, we pastors use the last week's bulletin as a template for this week's service, simply substituting a different hymn and prayer. After all, our focus is on sermon preparation. This is one reason why a worship planning team is so important. 
• Know the heart language of the people you wish to reach with worship - and stick with it. There will always be those wanting to pull you off your vision.

  - Cliff Jones, Country Club Christian Church, Kansas City, MO