Monday, 19 October 2009

• The Terms We Use to Describe Worship

  I was on Youtube today, checking out some resources to train new drummers. Whenever you watch a video on Youtube, there is a list of related videos that may interest you.  As I was watching this drum tutorial, I noticed a video about “amazing, prophetic worship.”  Other words I sometimes see used to describe worship (usually a worship band or worship leader) include phrases like “spirit-filled or anointed.”  I’ve always been a bit bothered by these terms. 

  Those terms seem to be differentiating themselves from other, non-anointed, non-prophetic, non-spirit-filled worship.  When I hear that a worship leader is anointed, what does that mean?  Isn’t every believer anointed? In fact, nearly every time the word “anointed” is used in the New Testament, it is in reference to Jesus, and the few times it’s used to describe Christians (I Cor. 1:21, I John 2:20,27), it’s a reference to how God anointed believers as a community – not individuals. The idea of anointing seems to be more of an Old Testament concept, before the Holy Spirit was given to all believers.

  I think it’s arrogant for us to sit here and determine which types of music, and which personalities of worship leaders are pleasing to the heart of God.  In his book, The Unquenchable Worshiper, Matt Redman talks about a songbook that was released entitled “The 25 Most Powerful Worship Songs.”  He questioned how we can put a label on certain songs as “powerful.”  The measure of worship is not in the quality of the song or band, but in the hearts and lives of those who sing them.

  Terms like “anointed, prophetic, or spirit-filled” seem to be more directed at the style than the spiritual component they seem to suggest.  When leaders offer passionate prayers, sing with emotion, or even talk a little about God during the worship set, it’s often referred to using these terms.  While those may be good things, they don’t suggest the presence of God any more than someone quietly singing a hymn.   Those behaviors can be learned and taught (and faked.)   An awkward 15 year old playing a guitar and singing slightly out of tune can be more “spirit-filled” than a slick professional worship leader. It’s unfortunate that at times we are unable to tell the difference between the Holy Spirit and dynamic musicians/speakers.

  Have you heard people use terms like "anointed" to describe worship music?  Do you agree with these terms, or can you think of others that are better?
  

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