Music Is Not Worship

September 8, 2009 in BLOG with 7 Comments

Since when did the word “worship” become synonymous with the practice of singing and playing instruments during a congregational meeting? The biblical concept of worship is much broader—something far greater than the liturgical aspects of singing, playing instruments, etc. It encompasses one’s lifestyle, one’s orientation toward God, one’s work.

I recently saw the following video of a “worship leader” encouraging kids to remove their flip-flops and spin them around as a sign that they were on “holy ground.” There are not a lot of words, but the song is catchy and basically talks about God spinning us around like a record. It’s hypnotic and goes on for 10 minutes. Don’t worry. If you watch the first 2 minutes, you’ve heard the whole song.

So, imagine my surprise when I heard the “real” song a few days ago when I was at a water park with my kids. Luckily my kids were in the wave pool, so the lyrics were drowned out. The song euphemistically (yet repeatedly) describes a sex act. Sorry, there are some things you just can’t sanctify.

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  • http://twitter.com/jgrubbs @jgrubbs

    But if you only watch the first two minutes you will miss the “holy ghost hoedown” and the “love train”!

  • http://Soundofawakening.wordpress.com Jeff Turner

    P. Matt,
    Just so you know, there are two versions of this song. Dead or Alive actually wrote it in the 80′s and while it’s not a wholesome ditty, it isn’t the overly sexualized remake of Florida. Rick Pino is redoing the 80′s version. Good words though … and I mean your blog! :)

  • http://www.matthewdgreen.com Matt

    Jeff, I wondered about that, as I saw lyrics online for what looked like a “clean” version. Sounds like you are very knowledgeable in this area. :-)

  • http://soundofawakening.wordpress.com Jeff Turner

    My knowledge on this subject is indeed extensive. I was once mentored by a pastor who shared my passion for the hits of the 70′s & 80′s. I remember Men At Work’s smash hit “Land Down Under” being one of which he was particularly fond. I wonder what ever came of that wise, wise man…? :)

  • http://www.matthewdgreen.com Matt

    Ha! Remember how we found that tape with “Land Down Under” and a few other hits that I can’t recall? I think I found it in the glove compartment of the red Corolla–in which we would also bump Kirk Franklin’s “Stomp.” Then, there was the custom “Heart Skit” soundtrack with “Stayin’ Alive”. Great memories, but probably shouldn’t bring up the exploits of one “Buddy Barrel.”

  • http://soundofawakening.wordpress.com Jeff Turner

    “Buddy Barrel” should definitely remain buried! Although everytime a woman is draped in a “glory cloth” I can’t help but remember the carnage…man that was funny! How could I forget the tape and the red Corolla! Those were good times! I actually did the broken heart skit last summer in the Dominican Republic with my youth – although there was no “Stayin’ Alive”, that skit will be forever smell like that song to me!

  • http://www.Mikeandkaren.blogspot.com Michael McDonald

    I am pretty liberal in my worship views, having come to Christ during the Jesus Movement, but this guy wasn’t “leading in worship” but rather emotionally and spiritually manipulating people – in the Name of Jesus of course.