REFRESH | 7 Reasons Your Church Should
Embrace Vibrant Worship
By B.J. Eaton
Worship. In recent decades, this subject has become one of the most debated and sometimes divisive topics for the Church. With that in mind, first, I want to define what I mean by the terms “vibrant” and “worship.” When I use the term worship in this article, I am referring to the corporate, congregational worship of the Lord through song.
I am not trying to prove that, theologically, most worship should be done beyond the few minutes we sing corporately. Nor am I expounding on my belief that God is more concerned with our worship outside the Church as we (hopefully) demonstrate Christ to those around us throughout the week (Romans 12:1-2).
When it comes to vibrant, I am describing an action done with energy and enthusiasm. We have all heard preachers say that if we can jump up and down, scream, and act crazy for our favorite sports teams on Saturday, we’d better be ready to give God the same energy on Sunday morning. Honestly, I don’t believe God demands that same type of energy. I hope I never lead a worship service where I look out and see shirtless guys with the letters J E S U S painted on their chests, responding hysterically as each high and low note plays out.
I believe it is scriptural to be vibrant in our worship, but not over the top. How we worship should not be dictated solely by emotional response to our current circumstances. God deserves reverential awe as we acknowledge who He truly is. I believe we should worship vibrantly, yes, and with passion, but also respectfully and reverentially before a God who is good and sovereign, no matter the circumstances.
With those brief definitions in place, let’s consider seven reasons for vibrant worship. At first, I worried it would be difficult to come up with seven. Before long, however, the real challenge became narrowing the list. So, I will give you what I believe to be the most important of those reasons, knowing we won’t all agree.
Worship comes from an appreciative heart. “And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men; Knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance: for ye serve the Lord Christ” (Colossians 3:23-24). In short, an appreciative heart should be evident in every area of our lives, governing how we do all things, including worship. In context, this passage is speaking more to how we worship the Lord in everyday life, but it should also dictate how we worship in song as well.
God commanded worship. “Make a joyful noise unto the Lord, all ye lands. Serve the Lord with gladness: Come before his presence with singing” (Psalm 100:1-2). The Bible doesn’t describe worship as passive, dull, and boring but repeatedly commands God’s people to sing, shout, celebrate, and express joy in worship.
Worship communicates a public testimony. “O sing unto the Lord a new song: Sing unto the Lord, all the earth. Sing unto the Lord, bless his name; Shew forth his salvation from day to day. Declare his glory among the heathen, His wonders among all people” (Psalm 96:1-3). Lively, heartfelt, vibrant worship offers a public testimony to the greatness of God. It demonstrates the Church’s witness to believers and unbelievers alike.
Vibrant worship offers “our whole heart.” “Praise ye the Lord. I will praise the Lord with my whole heart, In the assembly of the upright, and in the congregation” (Psalm 111:1). What we demonstrate outwardly comes from what dwells within us. Vibrant, joyful worship comes from a heart filled with Christ.
Worship unifies the Body of Christ. “Be filled with the Spirit; Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord…” (Ephesians 5:18b-19). Worship is not only vertical, toward God, but also has horizontal benefits, binding us to other believers. Vibrant corporate worship strengthens unity and fellowship within the Body of Christ.
Worship expresses what is in our hearts. “Praise
him with the sound of trumpet…with the psaltery and harp….with the timbrel and dance.…Let everything that hath breath praise the Lord. Praise ye the Lord” (Psalm 150). The life of a believer should be mostly identified with joy and praise, and our worship should be a demonstration of what is truly going on within— His salvation, joy, and life.
Vibrant worship is the biblical pattern. “And David danced before the Lord with all his might” (2 Samuel 6:14). When we read the Psalms David penned, and observe the way he worshiped, we see a pattern of expressive, vibrant worship.
We must be so moved by the majesty of God we put all we have into our worship. When we enter His house and His presence with other believers, our worship should reflect who He is and should best ascribe to Him His true worth! He is worthy of more than our best, and obeying His command to worship vibrantly — thankfully, openly, and unrestrainedly, in unity with fellow believers past, present, and future — is our only reasonable response. Let’s continue to express back to God what He has put within our hearts.
About the Columnist: B.J. Eaton and his wife Joann are North American Ministries associate church planters at Cultivate FWB Church in Athens, Alabama. The Eatons play a vital role at Cultivate, focusing on youth and worship ministries. Learn more about their ministry at fwbnam.com/eaton.
