Worship Matters: Guiding Principles

Because everybody is so different and unique in his or her own way, we can expect a church to be filled with people who worship differently. This chapter is about the three types of approaches to worship. According to Kauflin, people in a church fall into one of three categories: regulative, normative, or "whatever". Basically, some people believe we must only do what scripture says, others believe we must only adhere to what it doesn't say, and the rest do as we feel is correct. The church isn't meant to become unified by having the same approach to worship; it is supposed to become unified by working with others to overcome these differences, ultimately working at the goal to glorify God.

I find that I can really relate to this chapter. In my church, some people are absolutely strict in following what scripture tells us. As a result, tension arises as they feel others aren't taking scripture "seriously enough". I believe that a healthy church is not devoid of these tensions, but works through them together.

Worship Matters: And to Live for God's Glory

Kauflin starts off Chapter 17 by reminding us that just because we are Christians, we shouldn't rest assured that our sins are completely washed away without striving to be different and more like Jesus. He tells us that God transforms us into the image of Jesus as we gather to worship. Kauflin's main points are that worshipping God should make us humble, secure, grateful, holy, loving, and mission-minded.  Worship should also change lives. Focusing on worship as making us humble, I read Kauflin's argument that we often focus on external factors that obscure God's glory. Just as on vacations when we are in awe of the sights rather than concession stands, we should worship God humbly instead of focusing on other minor details.

This chapter, especially Kauflin's analogy of the Grand Canyon to worshipping God, made me realize how silly it was that we focus on so many minor things rather than God Himself. I do agree that once we truly realize how great God is, we would be humbled. Nobody, not even the "best" worship leader, deserves to worship God; instead, we do so because of His mercy and love for us. We should never think higher of ourselves just because we have been chosen to lead worship, but rather continue to give all glory to God.

Worship Matters: To Cherish God's Presence

In this chapter, Kauflin reminds us that God is omnipresent. He is everywhere at once, and there's not one single moment that he's not watching us. Because of this, we must pursue his presence as we lead worship. However, we must be careful as to ensure that WE are not the ones who bring about his presence, but rather Him. It is up to God whether to show Himself through our music or not. He chooses to show Himself through our music.

I think I enjoyed this chapter. For me, it reminded me that I should be careful and watchful of my actions not only in worship, but also in everyday activities. Sometimes, I would kind of put God in a box and only think about Him when I worship or go to church. This is not correct; God is omnipresent and I should make myself pleasant in His eyes at all times.

Worship Matters: To Proclaim the Gospel

In chapter 15 of this book, Kauflin explains what proclamation is as well as its importance. By definition, proclamation is the announcement of something officially or publicly. When we worship, we should be proclaiming God's love and greatness. We often forget how good He is, and need to be reminded through proclamation. But not only do we have to proclaim about God to the church while we lead worship, but we also have to proclaim to ourselves. Kauflin argues that the most fruitful and effective way of serving our churches is through preaching the gospel to ourselves. The gospel is central to our worship and why we believe. 

I agree with most of what Kauflin says in this chapter. Although I know the gospel, I will always need others to proclaim it to me and to proclaim it to myself. This is so I have a sturdy foundation for my knowledge of God and so I can remember how great He is, the reason why I lead worship in the first place. 

Worship Matters: Thereby Motivating the Gathered Church

Kauflin discusses the influence of the worship team in this chapter. He tells us that we should not take it too personally when the church is not involved or "feeling" the music; although extremely passionate worship teams do succeed in doing so, they can not force it. Kauflin lists out possible faults worship leaders may make in trying to invoke passion in the church. For example, they should not pick and choose the more emotional songs simply for the known results. Instead of trying to manipulate the church into feeling passionate, we should let God do the work in them and open up their hearts to the worship.

This chapter sort of opened my eyes to the fact that sometimes I would attempt to manipulate the church into feeling emotional by picking the more passionate songs. Instead of doing that, I should just work on exhibiting the joy inside myself as I lead worship and let God do the rest for the worshippers.

Worship Matters: With Music Pt. 2

In this chapter, Kauflin recognizes how hard it may seem to choose the "right" songs to play and sing during worship. He points out that God is willing to help lead our hearts to the right songs to play, and we are not alone in that we can work with others to choose the program. He sorts songs into four categories dependent on their impacts on the church and advises us to do the same. He also tells us to plan thematically and plan contextually, meaning the songs we perform have to be targeted towards the type of audience/congregation, and should relate to the theme or message that will be delivered.

One thing that really stood out to me was that the songs we should play should be planned thematically. My church is very traditional, and we end up having to play hymns every week. However, I sometimes feel that the songs are chosen randomly rather than thematically. I will try to choose songs that are more relatable to the message, rather than just the same few hymns over and over again.

Worship Matters: With Music Pt. 1

According to Kauflin, worship is supposed to be both used as a source of unconfined emotion as well as a glorification of God. However, often people will seek worship music only for the passionate emotions that come with it. Passionate emotions caused by worship is good, but people forget that those emotions have a purpose as well: to glorify God and lead others to Him. Because that is the main purpose of worship music, we must make sure that the worship music we play draws attention to the lyrics, and carefully add in other arrangements and instrumental solos. In the end, worship should draw attention to God, not our own skills.

I personally agree with Kauflin's statements in this chapter. I find that a lot of people get overtly emotional over worship music, which is good, but I often find them missing the whole point of it. Worship music isn't solely used to stir up emotions; the emotions are meant to lead us to God. In worship, I agree that I need to focus more on projecting the importance of the lyrics and the message of the song rather than the music I play.