Worship Languages

1. Worship Languages Gordon MacDonald in Forging A Real World Faithspeaks of six languages that worshippers speak.

2. Worship Language: The Aesthetic Instinct Agenda: Majesty Example: David Aesthetes enter worship solemnly and love to kneel in the presence of the God of majesty

3. Worship Language: The Experiential Instinct Agenda: Joy Example: Peter Experientialists are big hearted and seize any opportunity to meet with God

4. Worship Language: The Activist Instinct Agenda: Achievement Example: Moses Activists like to be exhausted as they mobilise people to do something constructive

5. Worship Language: The Contemplative Instinct Agenda: Listening Example: John the Baptist Contemplatives love to withdraw to meet with God in silence and contemplation

6. Worship Language: The Student Instinct Agenda: Truth Example: Paul Students see heaven as a bible study with God as the discussion leader

7. Worship Language: The Relational Instinct Agenda: Love Example: Barnabas Relationists believe God is most heard when people are engaged in good relationships

8. Worship Languages 1. The Aesthetic Instinct 2. The Experiential Instinct 3. The Activist Instinct 4. The Contemplative Instinct 5. The Student Instinct 6. The Relational Instinct

9. Worship Languages • Each of us will be inclined to one or two instincts • We will be curious about two others • We wonder what value there is in the others

10. Worship Languages • Jesus Balanced All Six Styles: • Contemplative and Activist • Relationist and Student • Experientialist and Aesthetic

11. Worship Languages Implications • Maturity in faith comes when we become conversant in all six languages. • Worship leaders must ensure worship caters for all styles and not just their own style