I often get quite concerned (even disturbed!) at the use of worship labels that are assigned to various (age) groups of believers, especially when fellow officers express their personal view that the members of my congregation are nothing more than "dead wood". In the past, I've been guilty of both using and assigning worship labels myself, but have recently been convicted to put these aside based on the understanding that worship is not so much about styles as it is about an attitude of the heart. After all, aren't we all one Body of Christ worshipping a God of unconditional love and acceptance?
This thought leads me to raise a personal concern about the term 'contemporary' as used in reference to worship. I've noticed this used on numerous posters recently advertising SA worship events and can't help but feel it is wrong and unhelpful in contributing to overall Christian spiritual unity. By definition, 'contemporary' simply means "current or modern", and surely this is relative to the needs of the present congregation or "church target group". For instance, as officer-in-charge of Inala Chapel, 'contemporary' means providing a worship experience that is relative to, and meets the current needs of, my "modern" 50+ age congregation ~ whatever form that may take.
I wholeheartedly agree with the comments that Stephen M Newman (author of Experiencing Worship) makes in his online article "Contemporary Worship?" ~
"So what is contemporary worship? Simply the same as it has been since Jesus walked here on earth. It is giving honor and praise to his Father in heaven. It is living lives in obedience to His word and His call on your life. It is showing His worth to all because He is worthy. Let us not confuse worship with music. Worship doesn’t change.
In the future I hope that we will begin to do away with labels on worship styles. There is only one style of worship…that which honors God and pleases Him."
AMEN ~ So be it.
Let's purpose to quit with the style labels and simply focus on the "heart of worship"!
