Worship – Some Notes and Overservations

December 07, 2011 – personal notes

For the last few weeks, I’ve been considering the concept of worship especially in light of the New Testament word that is translated “worship.”  The Greek word is προσκυνέω, “proskuneo” – “to kiss the hand as reverence, to fall upon the knees and touch the ground with the forehead” (Strong).  This Greek word is used 60 times in the New Testament, and each time it is translated, “worship.”

The question that keeps coming to my mind is, “how does this idea of prostrate humility equate with the celebrations of praise that are called worship in contemporary churches?”  Taking that question a step farther, “what is a worship leader, and why is he more necessary or better than a song leader or choir director?”

I did some research on the Internet regarding the role and purpose of what has become the “worship leader.”  In site after site, I found some universal elements that seem to be significant.

1.       Prominence of something to sell.  It is obvious that money is one of the prime motivators in modern “worship.”

2.       Music is the vehicle of worship.  If there is another aspect to worship other than music, I did not see it referenced.  Granted, my search was neither exhaustive nor systematic, but if there is something else to worship, it was not prominently presented.

3.       Emphasis on emotion.  Prominent words in the discussion of a worship leader are, “feel,” “sense,” “experience,” “celebration,” etc.  If it is mentioned at all, the place and role of the written Word of God is secondary to the creation of the “emotional connection.”

4.       Absence of Scriptural support.  Even well-known worship leaders admit that there is no direct biblical support for the role of “worship leader.”

These observations lead me to question the value of this new approach to “worship.”  On that issue, I can even accept a pragmatic or practical explanation, but what are the observable, quantifiable, or even anecdotal benefits of the worship emphasis on the mission, growth, and strength of the true church as the body of Christ?