What is "worship"? | Bob Kauflin

This is the last blog post! This video is an interview of Kauflin as he approaches worship from a non-musical aspect. When asked for his best definition of worship, Kauflin defined it as "exalting something above myself that will ultimately satisfy me", and as a response to God's glory. Worship without music is to continue to acknowledge God's name to others and share God's love with others. As people worship God, they respond to the grace that God has had for us through Jesus, and do it joyfully rather than grudgingly. Kauflin also says that "if our worship doesn't begin with grace, it's not really worship." Therefore, worship, including music or not, has to be our response to God's grace for us.

I really liked this video interview! Whenever I hear the word "worship", my mind tends to jump to music. But this video showed me that even with music, if I'm not doing it while in awe of God's grace and mercy for me, then it's not worship; it's just music. I can also use this information when I go off to college. I won't have the opportunity to worship outside of church, and may not get to be on the worship team (which I've been on at my church since I was 9). But even if I cant serve on the worship team, I can worship God by sharing His love for others and reminding myself of His grace for me.

Worship Matters: Relationship

In chapter 28-31 of the book, Kauflin deals with the different kinds of relationships worship leaders must have with one another. He discusses how to resolve disagreements that are bound to happen. I chose to focus on the part where he talked about criticism and compliments. Kauflin said that we must take criticism as an opportunity to grow and re-evaluate how well we are worshipping. We must take both criticism and compliments with a thank you and pray for those who speak to us about how we worship. Kauflin also discusses the relationships worship leaders have with the church pastors. It is important that worship leaders get along with pastors, and take into account their remarks on worship. However, when disagreements arise, both must be willing to work together and pray for each other and stay rooted in faith.

I mainly related to the compliment section of this part. Usually, I am really awkward at accepting compliments and tend to not accept them at all. It's not uncommon for me to try to reject the compliment. I learned that I must take compliments as they are, nothing more and nothing less. I should use both compliments and criticism as ways to help me grow in worship leading. I also learned that in our worship team we must continue to build relationships with one another, constantly praying for them. It's important that we communicate whenever disagreements arise, in order to avoid creating divisive conflicts.

Worship Matters: Event and Everyday

In this fairly short chapter of Worship Matters, Kauflin addressed the need for worship both with the church (event) and everyday. People who only worship at church forget that worship takes place throughout the week too; we are not Christians only on Sundays. There is a need to worship everyday so that we have time to reflect individually and remember God throughout the week. On the flip side, we must not be content with worshipping by ourselves everyday and not come to church. Church is the place where we can all gather together to support one another in our faith.

I really liked this chapter because it emphasized the duality of worship. I feel that a lot of my friends are Christians yet don't feel the need to go to church. They worship by themselves in various ways, however, they do it solely at home. I agree that while individual worship is great, church is needed to support its members.

Worship Matters: Skilled and Authentic, For the Church and for Unbelievers

In chapter 25 of Worship Matters, Kauflin tells us that worship is composed of both skill and authenticity. If as a band we only focus on being musicians, we will forget about the true meaning of worship by being too occupied with skill. On the other hand, focusing on merely authenticity may seem great; however, a certain skill is needed in order to not distract ourselves and others from the meaning of the songs in worship. We must build up skills, but leave space for authenticity. Kauflin also addressed the differences in worship for regular church members and for unbelievers. However, he tells us that we must be as welcoming and have the same attitude and enthusiasm for visitors as for the regular church members.

I mainly emphasized with chapter 25. Sometimes I feel like I won't practice in order to preserve authenticity, and it works out because luckily things work out fine. However, I realize that I shouldn't have to forfeit practice in order to worship authentically. Like other components of worship, skill and authenticity should be balanced, with neither side taken to the extreme.

Worship Matters: Planned and Spontaneous, Rooted and Relevant

In chapter 23 of Worship Matters, Kauflin tells readers that worship team at his church practices for over two hours each week. He believes that planning and rehearsals are very important, but can't do everything. Planning doesn't make us any less reliant on the Holy Spirit, nor substitute for listening to God while we perform. Planning doesn't guarantee right decisions about our worship plans. Planning helps us clarify our goals and help us feel less anxious, thus increasing our ability to focus on God. However, spontaneity is also important because worship is based off of being aware of God's presence. Through spontaneity, we have the freedom to respond to unforeseen needs, conflicts, or promptings. Chapter 24 of Worship Matters deals with the benefits of being rooted and relevant. We must be rooted because it humbles us. God is not just relevant now, with flashy technology, but also then, when people only sang hymns. Relevance is also important because we must worship in the way that is suitable for the present church. However, we must be careful to not merely chase after relevance while forgetting what worship is truly about.

I especially like chapter 23 because of its relevance to this week's chapel. We ended up changing the worship songs last minute so that our songs would fit next week's chapel. Like what Mr. Coates said, I also believe that there is a meaning behind all of this, and the ability to be spontaneous is the ability to respond to God's callings. Chapter 24 was also really relevant to me. My church's main service worship primarily plays hymns, and I often grow tired of it. This chapter opened my eyes and helped me realize that it is not merely about the songs and their overall creativity, but also about their messages. I also believe relevance is needed because if church members do not relate to the worship they are involving in, they will have a harder time being lead to glorify God. Chapter 23 and 24 are both about balance; extreme planning or spontaneity as well as roots or relevance will deter us from glorifying God.

Worship Matters: Internal and External, Vertical and Horizontal

In chapter 21 of Worship Matters, Kauflin says that there is no exact one way to worship. Many associate moving and expressing a lot when worshipping with a good worshipper. However, that is not a tell-tale sign of passionate worship; a person can have many different reasons for being expressive. God looks at the heart, not at the externalities. The question posed is how much expression is too much. Kauflin's answer to that is that worship should ultimately direct people's attention to God, not to yourself. Chapter 22 discusses the difference between vertical and horizontal elements of worship. The vertical element is the more obvious type: we must acknowledge God is great and above us. The horizontal element is usually less recognized. It shows us that we must also worship God by loving each other, supporting each other, praying for each other, and to help others. A true worshipper incorporates both vertical and horizontal elements.

I really like these two chapters because they address different types of worship. Although I don't express much externally, I still feel the music and worship God internally. However, I could always improve by working to express more, even though it isn't natural for me. I also like the horizontal element of worship because I feel like we tend to neglect it more often.

Worship Matters: Transcendent and Immanent, Head and Heart

In chapter 19 of Worship Matters, Kauflin addresses that God is transcendent, meaning that God is independent from and superior to his creation. This relates to worship in that we must remember He is much greater than us, and is not like us. Kauflin says our response is reverence, honor, and respect. However, God is also immanent, or near us. He took the likeness of man to become one of us. Remembering this shows us to worship not only about God but also to him. In chapter 20, Kauflin announces the two kinds of churches: one that loves theology but has no life, and one that is all emotion and not scriptural enough. Kauflin says that we must set our minds as well as emotions to worship. Worship is more than purely emotional; it also should be informed and intelligent. At the same time, worship must be personal.

Both these chapters deal with two extreme ends of a spectrum, and show us that we must find a balance. I feel like I agree with this. Taking God too seriously makes us forget that He wants an actual relationship with us; He doesn't simply expect us to worship and revere him. For this reason, Christianity is not just a religion but also a lifestyle. I agree that we must not rely on emotions too much, for feelings can easily be swayed and are temporary. Rather, we should find a balance between intellectual worship and passionate worship.