Part 2: What is the goal of worship, and does the contemporary style accomplish that goal? ~ Erin Dunn

Before we can answer the question, “What is the Goal of Worship?” we need to know the correct definition of the word “worship”. According to Holy Gatherings worship is meeting or encountering God (p. 29). However, unless our encounter turns into action it useless.

The book of James makes it clear that faith without works is dead (James 3). It is not enough to encounter God, we must have faith and carry out the actions God requires. For example, in Luke 1, Zechariah the priest encountered an angel of God in the temple. The angel told him he would have a son and that he should name him John. Zechariah laughed in disbelief. Consequently, the angel took away his ability to speak until after the boy was born.

Clearly Zechariah had an encounter with the Lord, but it was not coupled with a faith response, a faith obedience. Nevertheless, after the baby’s birth, while Zechariah was in the process of writing the name John down for all to see, he miraculously received his voice back. 

The moment Zechariah’s faith and action met, is when his voice was returned to him. Each time we meet with God, God is leading us to do something and we are called to respond with obedience.

Obedience is the true act of worship, the encounter is not the end. 

1 Samuel 15:22 says; “But Samuel replied: "Does the LORD delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices as much as in obeying the voice of the LORD? To obey is better than sacrifice, and to heed is better than the fat of rams.” Therefore, the goal of worship is meeting with God and obeying His voice.

Does contemporary worship lead Christians to hear the voice of God? Do our contemporary worship services clearly lead people to respond to the voice of God in faithful obedience?

According to Spectrums of Worship, “Contemporary worship endeavors to use modern instrumentation, contemporary musical styles, and freshly written or arranged songs, in the language of this generation to lead people into authentic expressions of worship and a genuine experience of the presence of God” (p.61).

Even in the Spectrums of Worship definition above, the obedience factor in worship is left out. Obedience should flow from an encounter with God. Worship through song can truly lead to an encounter and a need for response. As long as Contemporary Worship through song is done in Spirit (prayer) and Truth (God’s Word), and the worshipper allows God’s Spirit to stir their hearts to obedience, Contemporary Worship will accomplish the goal of worship.