Some people from the church where the conference was held said “If we had that band every Sunday, we could have this kind of services more often”. Well, that’s not the case. A good band sure helps but true worship is crowd-driven not the platform-led. In the book of Revelation there are several examples of worship in heaven. In every case there is no mention of any particular worship leader or band but only a worshipping crowd. Psalm 22:3 says that God dwells in the praises of His people (the crowd). True worship cannot be achieved from the platform only. It requires participation of “His people” who come hungry and thirsty for His presence (encounter with God). Singing even the best songs won’t cut it, because worship is so much more than a song. It’s a desire, longing, emotion, expression of deepest love and devotion. It’s not an event, it’s a lifestyle. Sadly, in our Sunday morning services we often participate in worship concerts rather than having true worship experiences. The band is tight, sound is loud but excellent, songs are new and arrangements are fresh and intricate. It feels good and exciting, but it all ends when the song ends.

Worship pioneer, LaMar Boschman, has said that we often get into the rut of singing Christian karaoke, but true worship starts when the writing on the wall ends. It’s like a Hallmark card. A written song is like a Hallmark poem printed on the card, but the card’s recipients always look for the hand-written note under the poem that expresses ones true feelings. God is longing for our personal expression of worship. Worship bands exist to initiate worship, not to replace it. They help give people a rhythm and a melody of worship using a song as an inspiration or a “spring-board”. God likes our songs, but “He inhabits our praises”. So, is singing worship songs to God worship? Yes and no. God is looking for more than a song (see “The Heart of Worship” song by Matt Redman), He is looking for our personal expression. If God was looking for a worship sound, we could easily replace our worship by playing CDs.

I am a musician and I realize that I am talking like one while sending this newsletter to worship dancers. But, just as a sound applies to musicians, movement applies to dancers. Some dancers do just choreographed pieces as specials and there is a great blessing in it, this is not about those specials. This is for those who dance spontaneously during worship services. God loves the true expression of your heart. Is He impressed with your technique? No, but don’t discount the training! A limited movement vocabulary can hinder that very expression. The scriptures encourage us to do things skillfully - we serve the God of excellence. Once you are on the platform (or at the front of it) you are the worship leader and you have the awesome responsibility to initiate worship in the congregation, not replace it. (If you are leading and no one is following, you are just taking a walk!)

Easily flowing with spontaneous worship doesn’t happen overnight. If you, as a dancer, practice choreographed movements only, you get a choreographed service. If you, as a musician, practice songs only, you get a song service. You have to practice your spontaneous worship by yourself and with your group. It will turn your rehearsals into God’s presence-filled worship encounters.

We would welcome your comments on this subject. If there is enough interest in continuing this dialog, we will consider starting a blog.