Lifted Hands During Worship… Wait Is That Even Biblical?
A husband, a worship leader, who calls himself also a child of God constantly in pursuit of His heart, has a lot of ideas kicking around inside his heart and head and he enjoys sharing them with others.
He is currently a full-time worship leader and producer at Liquid Church in New Jersey just outside of New York City, having 5 locations and around 75 worship team members who play all across the state at their various campuses.
As a graduate from McNally Smith College of Music in 2012 with a Bachelors of Music degree in Guitar Performance his interest goes also to music and from that point of view his blog Children of pursuit is to open up some things he has learned through his journeys in the church about worship, music, leadership and anything else really.
On one of his blog articles he warns for the danger just to pick some enjoyable songs or music for fun.
As worship leaders its very easy to pick a whole bunch of songs that are fun for us. “Hey, we haven’t done that in a while” or “This song has an awesome guitar part”. That can work at times but have you ever wondered why sometimes a song feels right but another time the same song feels… wrong. {5 ways worship leaders can create more engagement}
Every time when we re confronted by newly produced ‘church music‘, and when we buy it, we should be listening to every song and check if the text is according to biblical Truth and giving praise to the ‘right person’ as well that it would not distract the people or carrying them away from the main part of the service. we always should wonder how it does fit in the service of that day.
The wrong set can really hinder engagement in your set and also hinder you as a leader leading that set. A good worship set always creates movement, flow, and space for people to experience God. {5 ways worship leaders can create more engagement}
He writes
I have played worship sets before where when I was done and off stage realized I never really had that break through moment because the set never had a space for it. {5 ways worship leaders can create more engagement}
and concludes
There is no perfect formula for a perfect Sunday morning set, you will have to get to know your church and also lean on the holy spirit for direction as well. Other than that the obvious advice is, don’t do too many new songs, but don’t hammer them with the same old songs either. Don’t pound them with too many fast songs but make sure things still stay exciting and joyful. Find a happy medium with your song selection. This one can be harder than it sounds, but when its on your radar you are on the right track and engagement with change for the positive. {5 ways worship leaders can create more engagement}
Too often people forget the service their joining in at one or another denomination should be about worshipping God and studying His Word.
It is all about an attitude to be present in the heart, a state of mind, which should be willing to come as close as possible to God.
It is not about doing like all others do. So if a person does not feel to bring up his hands high up in the air, he should not? When people would feel it would not be appropriate to such a thin in a particular service, they should not. The same about saying “Amen” or giving a voice to approving something. When you are at a gathering where there are more people who do so or where it looks all right to do so, you may do so; but when it does not feel right do not do so and do not interrupt the speaker(s).
What is important when going to a particular worship service is to feel the atmosphere at that place and to behave accordingly, always having in mind that God should be the focus of everything.
According to the blogger there are many instances in the bible where the scriptures reference that act of a person lifting their hands in prayer and worship. He also points out to David and his psalms were is mentioned about upraised hands as an evening offering.
David was one of the earliest worship leaders we know of and that’s why so many worship songs borrow language directly from the Psalms.
In our services those psalms are often used. For us it is best to use the Words God has provided Himself for our education and for prayer and meditation.
They are powerful, honest and so vulnerably and beautifully written.
The psalms also are given us as an example and we get such a sense of who David was just by reading through his numerous cries to the Most High Divine Creator.
David lifted his hands in times of deep prayer and worship, he also danced, clapped and shouted.
In Scriptures we do have many examples given where music was offered to honour the Most High. From those writings people also may have the impression that expressions of praise are important to God as well as expression in worship being crucial.
+
Preceding articles
Random Observations From My Most Recent JW Convention Experience
Our views on Christian Worship Music
++
Additional reading
- Many forgot how Christ should be our anchor and our focus
- On the Affirmation of Scripture
- Necessity of a revelation of creation 14 Searching the scriptures
- Reasons why you may not miss the opportunity to go to a Small Church
- Praise and give thanks to God the Most Highest
- What Jesus sang
- What is important?
- Music and young people in Christadelphia
- A small rant…music, young people and Christadelphia
- Art and other taboos
- Performing music
+++
Related articles
If you have ever been into a church service during worship, chances are you have seen people lifting up their hands during the musical worship portion of the service. When the chorus of the song everyone knows drops you see the hands fly up; but why are they doing this? If you have been to multiple churches in your life you have probably noticed that some churches might even have more of this activity than others do. Why are these people lifting up their hands during the music as if there is some sort of magical thing that happens? Is this in the Bible? What are they trying to accomplish by making me feel uncomfortable? Don’t they know their hands are right in the way of the lyrics screen from where I am standing? Hello, trying to sing here… your hand is flapping dangerously close to my eyes, thank you… move it over sister…
View original post 1,257 more words
Recent Comments