There is a lot of tension in churches today over the style of worship. Indeed, some have termed the conflict “Worship Wars.” However, this isn’t a new struggle in Christianity. For centuries, people have objected to various kinds of worship. There is always a group who is opposed to anything new, and, on the other side, a group who wants to leave behind old things that don’t have as much meaning to them.

Isaac Watts, one of the great hymn writers in Christendom, was ridiculed in his day for writing “contemporary” songs. People thought his music and lyrics were too emotional and showy. Isaac Watts, himself, often commented how the “traditional” music of his day was archaic, plain, and not beautiful enough to be worthy of praising God. Watts’ hymns caused a great stir in many churches, much argument and debate, and even whole denominations elected not to use his music.

Likewise, there has always been a struggle between “music for the masses,” and “music for the artists.” According to the Bible, we know that early church worship gatherings were structured to allow for the congregation to sing. (Ephesians 5:19) But by the time Pope Gregory was receiving all the credit for creating Gregorian chant (a few hundred years later), church services had moved far in the other direction. Much of the worship, as expressed through music, was now dominated by the church leaders - very little congregational participation. (By the way, Pope Gregory probably didn't actually create or write much Gregorian chant. But, being Pope, anything created during his papacy would’ve been named for him.)

As time passed, worship service music became bigger and more elaborate until it became so difficult the average congregant wouldn’t have been able to sing along even if he/she had wanted. The artists composing and performing their pieces were pleased to be able to create such beautiful masterpieces for God. But the people were sitting through worship without participating.

When Martin Luther came along some hundreds of years later, he immediately began to create music for the masses. He valued congregational participation, deemed it vital to spiritual growth, and therefore composed a great many hymns which were “simple” enough for the congregation to sing along. Many of his hymns are still sung in churches today.

Enter John Calvin. He was certainly an interesting fellow when it came to tastes in music. Most people may not know that Calvin would not allow his churches to sing with the pipe organ - it was too worldly an instrument! Also, he refused to let people write their own hymns. The only music to be sung in the church were Psalms and other such songs as are found in the Bible. Thus many churches put sheets over their organs and didn’t use them for years. Calvin did value congregational participation, and insisted on unison singing from the choir most of the time.

I said all that to say this: worship is really not about us and our personal tastes. It is all about giving glory to God. No instrument is any more “holy” than another; no chord progression or rhythm is somehow more “righteous” than another. All forms, instruments, and styles of music can and should be used to worship God. As people, we all have personal preferences when it comes to musical style. As worshipers, sometimes we may need to set aside those preferences and learn to worship God in ways that are new to us.

As a worship leader, I also must sometimes set aside my preferences to best serve the congregation. Like Luther and Calvin, I value congregational participation in worship. When I plan a worship service, I pick music that will allow that specific body of believers to participate and worship. The music I pick for a service full of teenagers is going to be a lot different than a service for senior citizens. Not to say that singing a few hymns wouldn’t be good for the teens, or a contemporary song or two is too much for the seasoned saints. But by and large, I will plan music that allows the people I’m leading to follow me in worship - even if it is music I don’t particularly care for.

This year, Easter is a combined service. As I think about the service and the music I plan, I remember that the congregation will be blended. Therefore, the music on Easter will also be blended, reflecting the beauty of variety in age, gender, color, and culture that is Central Baptist Church. Not everyone will like every song; but everyone will have opportunities to participate, to worship in ways that are comfortable, and to worship in ways that are new.

I’d like to leave you with a quote from Travis Cottrell, who happens to be my favorite worship artist (click his name to visit his Web site).

My job is not to teach them the newest, coolest worship choruses, or to impress them with any kind of ability. My job is to lead them to Jesus. Whatever it takes. Sometimes that means singing "Beautiful One." Sometimes it means singing "In The Sanctuary." Sometimes it means singing "What a Friend We Have In Jesus." I have just found myself not basing my worship choices on a musical style, but rather on lyrical content, and frankly, just whatever the Holy Spirit leads me to do in that moment.

Worship is about content, not style.