Worship Quest

An Exploration of Worship Leadership

Steven D. Brooks

• Publisher: Wipf and Stock
• Year: 2015
• Print ISBN: 9781625649201
• eBook ISBN: 9781630879006
• Topic: Theology & Religion
• Subtopic: Christian Ministry

Worship Quest serves as a guide to understanding foundational questions about worship and leading in worship. Worship Quest offers a practical perspective on four roles of worship leadership and how they are to be fulfilled within various worship gatherings. For those called to lead in worship as well as those tasked in hiring worship leaders, it is important to understand the roles of worship leadership. Worship Quest helps readers come to understand the different worship gatherings and the various roles of worship leadership, and thus successfully fulfill God's call of leading in worship.

PART ONE

Foundations of Worship

All the nations you have made will come and worship before you, O Lord; they will bring glory to your name. For you are great and do marvelous deeds; you alone are God.

Psalm 86:9–10

Before beginning any discussion on the topic of worship, it is vital to ask some important questions regarding worship in general. What is worship? Whom should we worship? Where should we worship? Why should we worship? Who is welcome to worship? How should we worship? Understanding the answers to these questions establishes a foundation for participating in further pertinent worship discussions.

1

What Is Worship?

I can safely say, on the authority of all that is revealed in the Word of God, that any man or woman on this earth who is bored and turned off by worship is not ready for heaven.

A. W. Tozer

If worshipers are to accomplish the action of worship, shouldn’t they first know what the word means? Over the centuries, theologians, biblical scholars and everyday worshipers have attempted to come up with a definition of worship. As a result, countless definitions have surfaced over time.1 Many of these definitions have been based on biblical study, theological understanding, self–realization, or traditions that have been passed down from one generation to the next.

The reason for the variety of definitions for worship is because the Bible never provides us with a formal definition. There are numerous descriptions of worship throughout the pages of Scripture, but never a definition. I believe the absence of a definition could be purposeful, as God has allowed us the freedom to explore how to best relate to him. And yet, there must be certain parameters for our worship in order for us to worship rightly, in ways that honor and glorify God. Therefore, God provides guidelines for our worship throughout Scripture.

When you think of the word worship, what do you think of? Do you think of music? Or a Sunday morning church service? If those are your definitions of worship you would be right, but only partially so. Yes, music can be worship and our church services are filled with worship, but that’s not all worship is. Worship is, and should be, so much more.

Did you know the Bible contains no less than six hundred references to worship? Did you know at least eighty–seven different Hebrew and Greek words are used in the pages of Scripture to describe praise and worship? Worship can be found all throughout the Bible, interwoven into the fabric of every story.

Perhaps we can begin by seeing what various words for worship mean. The word worship comes from the Anglo Saxon word weorthscipe, which combines two words meaning to “ascribe worth;” referring to something that shows or possesses a state of worth. In order to ascribe worth to God, we must first recognize God for who he is. Hence, worship is a response to who God is. It is a response to the being and nature of God. Praise, on the other hand, is a response to all God has done—a response to the works of God. God’s actions done in, through and around his people are worthy of praise. I appreciate the way Dr. Jim Altizer differentiates between worship and praise. He says,

. . . “praise” would be like boasting about the great things your spouse has accomplished, while “worship” would resemble appreciating your spouse because he or she is loyal, compassionate, honest and encouraging. Praise focuses on deeds, while worship focuses on character.”2

Altizer continues,

“Worship” centers on the character of God, while “Praise” celebrates the deeds of God. Both expressions are Biblical; both are necessary. “Worship” and “praise” are different components of the same relationship; Christians worship God for Who he is, and praise him for what he has done. Both Worship and Praise are fitting for all creatures in all situations at all times. They should be offered everywhere and in every way.3

It is not difficult to find biblical precedent for both praise and worship. Throughout Scripture we find numerous accounts of the people of God offering praise for what he has done. In 2 Samuel, chapter 22, David sang a song of deliverance recounting all God had done for him. He concluded with these words,

For this I will praise you, oh Lord, among the nations, and sing praises to your name. (2 Sam 22:50)

Later, David encouraged the people once again to offer their praise to God because of all that had been done on their behalf,

Oh give thanks to the Lord; call upon his name; make known his deeds among the peoples! Sing to him, sing praises to him; tell of all his wondrous works! Glory in his holy name; let the hearts of those who seek the Lord rejoice! (1 Chr 16:8–10)

The Psalms are filled with praising God for what he has done:

Sing praises to the Lord, who sits enthroned in Zion! Tell among the peoples his deeds! (Ps 9:11)

The Lord lives, and blessed be my rock, and exalted be the God of my salvation—the God who gave me vengeance and subdued peoples under me, who delivered me from my enemies; yes, you exalted me above those who rose against me; you rescued me from the man of violence. For this I will praise you, O Lord, among the nations, and sing to your name. (Ps 18:46–49)

Then my tongue shall tell of your righteousness and of your praise all the day long. (Ps 35:28)

Declare his glory among the nations, his marvelous works among all the peoples! For great is the Lord, and greatly to be praised; he is to be feared above all gods. For all the gods of the peoples are worthle...

Table of contents

• Title Page
• Foreword
• Preface
• Part I: Foundations of Worship
• Chapter 1: What Is Worship?
• Chapter 2: Whom Should We Worship?
• Chapter 3: Where Should We Worship?
• Chapter 4: Why Worship?
• Chapter 5: Who Is Welcome to Worship?
• Chapter 6: How Should We Worship?
• Part II: Practices of Worship
• Chapter 7: Personal Worship
• Chapter 8: Corporate Worship
• Chapter 9: Lifestyle Worship
• Part III: Gatherings of Worship
• Chapter 10: The Private Worship Gathering
• Chapter 11: The Family Worship Gathering
• Chapter 12: The Congregational Worship Gathering
• Chapter 13: The Festival Worship Gathering
• Chapter 14: Leading Worship: The Call of Worship Leadership
• Part IV: Roles of Worship Leadership
• Chapter 15: Worship Leader
• Chapter 16: Song Leader
• Chapter 17: Worship Artist
• Chapter 18: Worship Pastor
• Conclusion
• A Word To Senior Pastors and Church Leadership
• Selected Sources
• Recommended Resources
• Appendix 1: Definitions of Worship
• Appendix 2: The Athanasian Creed
• Appendix 3: Convergence Worship : Old, New, Borrowed, Blue
• Appendix 4: How to Practice Lectio Divina
• Appendix 5: Worship Leader vs. Lead Worshiper
• Appendix 6: Roadmaps For Worship
• Appendix 7: Worship Script
• Appendix 8: Directions for Singing
• Appendix 9: Guidelines for Encouraging Congregational Song