Worship is the highest calling of the human heart. A proper understanding of worship yields the concept that every person living – Christian or not - worships something. That is the way that God designed the human heart. Our aim is not only to make better worshippers, but to focus people’s worship on God. Louie Giglio, founder of the Passion movement, says the following: “For some, it's the office. For others, the mirror, or success, or another person. When we follow the trail of our time, energy, affection, and money, we find a throne. And whatever or whomever is on that throne is the object of our worship." To worship God, is to lay all of our affections, or hearts, desires, our very lives at the throne of God As a lead worshipper, it is my responsibility to focus people’s inherent desire to worship on God.

Historically, church worship has gone through many stages as trends, instruments, technologies, musical tastes and cultures have changed & evolved. The most effective church communities have carved out organically inspired worship that have challenged, encouraged and provided a sense of belonging, community and divine connection that transcends music, styles and preferences. A church that experiences true worship is a church that is fueled by God’s power for Christian living, evangelism, community and changed lives.

Most people associate worship with the “Sunday Morning” experience. We aim to facilitate connecting as many people to God as possible during this time. Different people connect with God in different ways, which makes planning worship services an ongoing discovery and challenge. Over the past years, a radical shift has occurred in the way that Christians and Seekers alike view worship and church experience. There are many terms being used to try and explain the shifting trend. Some common terminology is Boomer/Gen-X, modern/postmodern, contemporary/alternative, seeker/worship evangelism. Many people have tried to make this a generational issue. I believe it is more a state of mind/pathway to God than simply a generational phenomenon.

For most “Seeker” churches, traditional worship gave way to a form of worship called “contemporary” worship. The Contemporary/Modern model of worship has been very effective at reaching people through a style of worship that is predominantly presentational and observational. It was assumed that seekers were coming to check things out- and the whole experience was designed to be as non-churchy as possible. That style of worship associated with this model is widely used and has many proponents.

Contemporary Worship has several general characteristics:

• Songs are more about God and declarative rather than sung to God
• Worship is more of a presentation or delivered performance.
• Majority of songs upbeat & cheerful
• High value placed on flawless programming-silence is considered “dead space”
• Very large worship teams with large production teams
• Highly choreographed/timed
• Serves to interest seeker through observation
• An a-historical approach may be taken- no symbols, hymns avoided, barren walls-as symbols and tradition were believed to turn off seekers from church.
• Aesthetically, a sense of uniformity, “mall style” sanctuaries is used.

Over the past few years, Worship Evangelism/Postmodern Worship has been a constant growing method that is effectively being implemented. The concept of “Worship Evangelism” is one that has four elements geared towards both Christian and seeker alike: nearness, knowledge, vulnerability and interaction.

Worship Evangelism/Postmodern Worship has the following characteristics: (These are generalizations, but serve to get big picture)

• Aims to engage a very personal God in a safe, honest environment
• Aims to engage though rejuvenating encounter with the divine
• Seeks a transcendent spirit about worship
• Aims to design a place where people honestly feel the presence of God
• An engaging invitation to God rather than presentation about God (in regards to the music/creative elements, not necessarily teaching portion).
• Atmosphere at times can be melancholy, meditative & reflective.
• Genuineness and substance is valued above perfection or flawless programming
• Focus on connection, authenticity, reality.
• Times of quietness & reflection are encouraged
• Focus of as sanctuary as place of refuge, sacred space of community.

Neither the Contemporary/Modern model or Worship Evangelism/Post-Modern model approach is right nor wrong. Both are very effective when implemented in the culturally correct context. As the church looks towards the future and considers the effects of post-modernism in contemporary culture we believe that worship needs to continually seek ways to engage believers and seekers alike. This means continually exploring new ideas and methods while seeking to develop meaningful post-modern worship while not losing touch with those who connect with the modern/contemporary side of things.

The overall feel of worship evangelism is one that asks people to engage- and develop a life and a passion for worship. Sally Morgenthaler describes Worship Evangelism/Postmodern Worship in these terms- “Worship Evangelism is simply letting God do with us and through us what God intends. It happens when we allow ourselves to be passionate, adoring people of God we were created to be, when we allow seekers to experience the wonder of true worship and, most importantly, when we allow God to be God.”