“I’m coming back to the heart of worship, and it’s all about You, it’s all about You, Jesus.  I'm sorry for the things I've made it, and it's all about You, it's all about You, Jesus."

Dino was a fine multi-instrumentalist, gifted in a myriad of musical ways.  For years he played for the Culver City church, serving as their Assistant Worship Director.  Now, as he denies Christ, he admits playing for attention.  The people liked him though; he was so talented.

Phil is one of the best known guitar players in the world and has played with some of the finest musicians ever.  Dana really didn’t care where she played as long as it was a paying gig.  To her, church was as fair game as any.  The bass player(s), they changed every so often, definitely knew how to lay bottom chops – it was a phenomenal mix of some very talented people and the church loved them; the “Spirit of Music” was very evident.

The Spirit of God wasn’t, however.  He was missing – badly. Oh sure, the music was awesome, just not anointed.  The people may not get saved or healed tonight, but they sure will like what they hear.

Excelling in music is not the same as excelling in God's presence.

One of the bass players mentioned above played for one of the largest churches in LA.  When he took a leave of absence, his church needed a replacement to “perform” 3 Sunday morning services.  The gig paid nicely.  The guy who filled the spot was an acquaintance of mine – someone who really didn’t make much claims of Christ at all and who had a live-in girlfriend.  But, he was a professional musician who had toured with some of the finest secular players in the world and he could play a fascinating bass.  That was enough for the church to choose him.

I speak of scenarios that I have encountered many times in various churches.  I, too, am a musician who has served on a worship team, and am therefore very sensitive when it comes to recognizing the difference between the “spirit of music” and the Spirit of God, as any musician with a true heart for worship would.

As far as I’m concerned, the church is selling out in the area of worship.  It has become more about performance than worshipping the Father – and shame on the leaders who should know better. 

Although music is only one aspect of worship, it is a vital one. Recruiting musicians who can play well is easy on the ears, but for leading in God’s anointing and a true heart of worship, it does nothing.

While attending a church service in Studio City, California this very thing happened with regularity.  To most it was apparent that something was missing.  That “something” was God’s presence.  Instead of worship, the music became an all out jam session, and one that the minister often had to correct and guide.  No question they were incredible – if you were there for a concert.  Tiring of this, I began attending a church in Malibu.  Sadly, this same thing occurred.

As any leader should know, what the church needs are not just finely tuned musicians, but anointed worship leaders with a heart for God; people who can lead (and follow) God’s anointing, otherwise its just interference, even though it gets the people moving.

This is an area the church needs to pay more attention to.  Not necessarily worship itself – that has been a hot topic for years – but how, and who, we are choosing to sit in the place as leaders to usher in the presence of the Lord.   Especially when just beginning a fellowship, it’s easy to call on the most available people to fill slots in the music ministry. 

Far too much emphasis is placed upon the talents of individuals and not enough on the heart they have for worship.  How a church could utilize any available musician to perform the service of the Lord is appalling.  Frankly, it is totally unacceptable.

And it happens far too often.  I know many friends who do not adhere to, nor live, a Christian life, and yet have been on worship teams all because they were talented and the church had a need. Most of these people wouldn’t even attend the church if they weren’t playing there (and most don’t fellowship with it after they stop playing for it).

The question is, are we worshipping for the love of God, or performance?  What has become most important to us?  A true heart of worship, or talented musicians that sound good and can “move” the congregation?

Since we believe that a music ministry is vital to the worship service of our fellowships, then like any other service in ministry, it’s ministers should be chosen carefully.  They should definitely not be just anyone who can play, and they should at least be regular congregants who the people know.  How can it be any other way?

If we want our music to touch the heart of God then we need to get our priorities straight.  We are not there to entertain ourselves, or others, to be in the spotlight and gain notoriety, to make a living, to show off our talents, or to even sound good and perform well.  It's not about us.  We are there to “offer up a sacrifice of praise” to our God.  Anything less is not true worship.

“I’m coming back to the heart of worship, and it’s all about You, it’s all about You, Jesus.”

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