Part 1: What is the goal of worship, and does the contemporary style of worship accomplish that goal? ~ Daniel Thornton

In the book Holy Gatherings we are given what worship involves. Worship involves surrender, a relationship, an encounter, reverence, perspective, regard, and confidence. Understanding what worship involves helps create a better picture of what worship is. At times worship is an event and at times it is a lifestyle. In Holy Gatherings, the authors understand that worship has a common theme: worship is about an encounter with God. Therein lies the goal of worship - to make an encounter with God possible for all who are in attendance. We must be careful in our worship to not allow it to become a ritual. If we are not encountering God with a sincere heart, then we are wasting our time.

Hosea 6:6 says, “For I desire mercy, not sacrifice, and acknowledgement of God rather than burnt offerings.” Psalm 40:6 says, “Sacrifice and offering you did not desire—but my ears you have opened—burnt offerings and sin offerings you did not require.” If we are not careful our worship can become like a burnt offering or sin offering that God does not desire or require. Isaiah 29:13 says it this way, “These people come near to me with their mouth and honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me. Their worship of me is based on merely human rules they have been taught.” The goal of worship has to be to creative an encounter with God where the people are drawn near to God with their hearts and mouths.

When we look at any style of worship whether it be contemporary, traditional or blended, I believe that the goal of each of these is to provide a sincere encounter with God. I believe with all of my heart that any of these three styles of worship is capable of doing just that. Traditional worship can provide a meaningful and sincere encounter with God. So, YES contemporary style of worship can accomplish the goal of worship. Joe Horness says this about contemporary worship in the book Exploring the Worship Spectrum,

Contemporary worship endeavors to use modern instrumentation (e.g., guitars, drums, synthesizers, percussion, horns), contemporary musical styles (e.g., rock, jazz, hip hop, rap, gospel), and freshly written or arranged songs (both new choruses and fresh treatments of traditional hymns), in the language of this generation to lead people into authentic expressions of worship and a genuine experience of the presence of God.

For some congregations the use of contemporary worship allows them to have an authentic encounter with God. I think it is important to understand that contemporary worship is not the only way to provide an authentic encounter with God. While we understand that worship is not about appealing to the wants of the people, we also understand that it is about directing people to have an authentic encounter with God. Thus, contemporary worship can be a tool that your church uses to do just that.