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10 Commandments … for music in worship. Source: Jim Shaddix, Riverside Baptist Church, Denver, June 2006. 1. Thou shalt worship God, not worship worship. Exclusive focus on style detracts from God, the object of our worship. 2. Thou shalt worship as a lifestyle and not as a music style.
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10 Commandments …for music in worship Source: Jim Shaddix, Riverside Baptist Church, Denver, June 2006
1. Thou shalt worship God, not worship worship. • Exclusive focus on style detracts from God, the object of our worship
2. Thou shalt worship as a lifestyle and not as a music style. • If what happens in the worship experience is disconnected with life lived outside of that, then there is a problem • This is more important that someone singing off-key!
3. Thou shalt make the Divine Seeker comfortable first and foremost. • Kierkegaard’s audience • Worship is not musical performers in front of evaluating spectators, but all of us as performers before God the spectator
4. Thou shalt use music as a sacrifice of praise, not as a synonym for worship itself. • Music is a necessary but not sufficient component of worship • Oblation, proclamation, confession/absolution, etc.
5. Thou shalt be theologically equipped. • Worship leaders need to be pastoral theologians, not just good musicians • Filter music for its actual theological stance
6. Thou shalt reflect a holistic theology in worship content. • Celebration is not the only kind of worship • Lament … • Confession … • Adoration … • Where are these reflected in our worship?
7. Thou shalt worship in a rhythm of revelation and response. • Worship is never separated from revelation • Likewise, we can never separate music from proclamation experiences
8. Thou shalt employ lyrics that reflect a communal identity. • Songs that are all “me” instead of “we” do not reflect the communal outlook of the Bible
9. Thou shalt use technology with theological and pastoral sensitivity. • While the Bible speaks of cymbals and loud music, hearing others sing encourages worship • Amplification of instruments to the point of excluding voices is a problem
10. Thou shalt foster worship that reflects the diversity and unity of heaven. • With Parthians, Medes and Elamites in the Kingdom come, what will worship look like there – and how should that impact worship here? • Pentecost
10 Commandments for Music in Worship Dr. John P. Chandler www.rasnet.org Copy right John P. Chandler 2007