Question:
Well here is my question, forgive me if its already been asked, but what distinguishes a worship song from any other contemporary song?
Answer:
Originally Posted by TaiLova Well here is my question, forgive me if its already been asked, but what distinguishes a worship song from any other contemporary song? Marketing, my friend, marketing...
Answer:
I hate it when people answer questions with more questions.
That said, here ya go:
What is worship?
Does a song lead you to initiate the act of worship?
If so, does that song lead us to worship the One who is worthy of worship or do we worship the song?
If a song does not lead us to the act of worshiping the Lord then I would guess that it's not a candidate for "worship song" status.
But this is a really hot topic and I'm sure there are a bazillion opinions on it. Let's see what others have to add...
Answer:
Originally Posted by gtrdave I hate it when people answer questions with more questions.
That said, here ya go:
What is worship?
Does a song lead you to initiate the act of worship?
If so, does that song lead us to worship the One who is worthy of worship or do we worship the song?
If a song does not lead us to the act of worshiping the Lord then I would guess that it's not a candidate for "worship song" status.
But this is a really hot topic and I'm sure there are a bazillion opinions on it. Let's see what others have to add...
I've been struggling with this a bit too.
I don't want to "worship" just because the song is good or tugs at my heart strings on a purely emotional level. Secular songs (art) can do that. "When the music fades, and all is stripped away..." Heart of Worship
That song really addresses the issue. But, if the song tugs on the right strings, engages my spirit, inspires me to worship with a pure heart, that's a good thing. In fact, as far as I know, it's our highest calling, to worship God.
What is worship? Don't have time to completely speak to that, I'm sure others will, but, and just going off the top of my head here, giving our attention to God is a good start. Honoring him with all (work, play, family) that we do...
"If a song does not lead us to the act of worshiping the Lord then I would guess that it's not a candidate for "worship song" status."
Technically that might be correct. There are songs that are about God or inspirational that would not be "worship" songs. As I engage my brain, ... plenty of them in fact.
Richard
Answer:
The question really seems to be, what makes a song a corporate worship song?
If worship is to be a part of who we are, then it could be argued that everything we do is an act of worship. This post, if typed with the right motivations could be called a "worship post".
Answer:
Originally Posted by Dave H The question really seems to be, what makes a song a corporate worship song?
If worship is to be a part of who we are, then it could be argued that everything we do is an act of worship. This post, if typed with the right motivations could be called a "worship post".
'zactly.
Answer:
Hi everyone,
I've been reading the posts. what makes a good worship song? read on. Praise and worship are not interchangeable terms. Praise is simply remembering what God has done (look at the Psalms) Worship is responding to God's call- all creation worships the Creator. I tend to start leading worship with Praise songs as it's always good to remember who were are, where we were before we were saved, why we're here now and Praise God for his son Jesus. Once all that's sunk in our hearts will respond in the only way we know how, in worship.
What makes a good worship song? One that allows us to express all that, with a good tune, in a singable key, not too many cliches (none is preferable).
A few years ago I was at Soul Survivor and feeling really ancient and we sang Light of the World (here I am to worship). We were in an overflow area outside the main hall and when the music stopped inside everyone kept singing outside and then after a few minutes the band picked it up again. truly awsome.
Answer:
Originally Posted by Dave H The question really seems to be, what makes a song a corporate worship song? Looks like that clarification was in order - thanks.
My $.02:
"Worship music" is all too often categorized by the style that is popular by the likes of Chris Tomlin, etc. They tend to make more convenient or popular worship songs simply because they tend to represent the likes of the majority of people looking for "worship music" as it's commonly known and referred to these days.
That being said, "worship music" transcends boundaries of genre. It's not limited by acoustic guitar driven music, by southern gospel piano, or pipe organs. The musical element of music I firmly believe is nothing more than a tool to aid our expression of outward worship - that which is (or should be) already going on in our hearts. I happen to fall into that category I described above because I'm partial towards acoustic rock. I'm not into progressive metal, alternative rock (think: grunge), reggae, rap or gregorian chants. Those DO all appeal to other people however, and if a song is written in that style of music and it's something that helps aid the listeners (in a congregational setting) with expression the worship in their hearts, then more power to them.
"Worship music" as it's known today simply refers to something that helps express what's in your heart towards Christ. A song by Skillet could do that, one by Steven Curtis Chapman, Keith Green, Chris Tomlin, Nicole Nordeman, Project 86, Lifehouse, etc. It makes no difference what category you find it in at your local record store - it simply depends on how the congregation can use that song as an expression of what God's already doing in their hearts.
Reggae, rap, speed metal, etc., all have no real draw on me. If I hear a song in one of those styles that has even the greatest of worshipful lyrics, the music itself will inhibit the expression of the worship of God already residing in my heart. For the guy next to me though, it might be just the ticket.
Answer:
Originally Posted by TaiLova Well here is my question, forgive me if its already been asked, but what distinguishes a worship song from any other contemporary song? Hi TL & others...
After reading the responses thus far, it seems we are doing a lot of ''implying'' what worship songs are and not doing much teaching. In other words we have been learning from experience and not necessarily basing it on Biblical principles.
The implication in my day (27 years ago I started leading worship) was if songs were sung ''about'' God they were Praise, and if they were sung ''to God'' they were Worship.
Your question prompts me to reconsider how we choose our worship music. In our own church we express worship 3 ways...
A - Regular worship where the congregation sings
B - Contemplative worship using music that the congregation listen to rather than participate in.
C - Devotional worship where the Worship Team sings and a ''reader'' reads scripture and prays for the congregation what the scripture expresses, then the singers free sing about the scripture and prayer. The congregation spend their time singing, praying, or just listening during these ''extended'' sessions.
Answer:
Originally Posted by Tony Marketing, my friend, marketing...
I'm a professional cynic too, but be fair, my friend, be fair.
Contemporary is generally the style associated with a rock/blues type musical structure and style, and in which the songs tend to be more drawn out in performance. There is almost no pin on the lyrical content, despite what these jokers will tell you, TaiLova. There were bad hymns, and there's bad "contemporary".