Why Should We Worship Jesus?

Greetings to all my friends in blogland!  Today I am very excited to kick off the first in a five-part series titled, "Why Should We Worship Jesus?"  Last month it came to me that as participants in various types of music ministries, we often use the word worship interchangeably with other terms.  For example, worship service, worship music, a time of worship, etc.  But exactly why should we worship Jesus?  And how does worship affect each of our respective ministries?  Come along with me as we explore worship and how it is vital to our calling.

Why Should We Worship Jesus?  (Part 1)  by Nathan Kesler

What Worship Is Not

We will define what worship is but we must first define what worship is not.  This is because there is a tendency among some Christians to define worship too narrowly and thereby overlook the fullness of what worship is according to scripture.  First, worship is not something solely by Christians or "spiritual" people.  Rather, because everyone was made to worship God, everyone is in fact a worshiper whether or not he or she has any religious or spiritual devotion.

Second, worship is not merely a style of music.  In conversation I often classify Christian music by genre.  For example, I refer to albums by Hillsong as 'contemporary praise and worship', an album by Selah as 'traditional praise and worship', a Gaither Homecoming album as 'southern gospel' and a Ricky Dillard album as 'black gospel'.  But in reality a song from any genre of Christian music is essentially worship music - only arranged and presented in different venues and contexts.  If you have been involved in church ministry for any length of time you undoubtedly have witnessed spirited debates between those promoting one style of Christian music over another, usually in the context of corporate singing.  Sadly, such conflicts can reduce the concept of worship to little more than a style of music or preferred kinds of instrumental accompaniment.  When the Bible speaks of worship, it does include God's people gathering to sing praises to God (Ephesians 5:19, Colossians 3:16), but worship is also something much bigger than simply singing or musical tastes.


Third, worship is not something that is connected to a time and place.  In John chapter four there is a discussion between Jesus and a woman who is uncertain of where and when worship is to occur.  Jesus responds to her by stating that worship is an ongoing, unbroken life of communion with God empowered by the Holy Ghost and informed by the truth.  Therefore, while worship does happen in specific places at specific times, such as Sunday services at a church building, worship is not limited to any time or place.  Rather, worship is to exist as a ceaseless lifestyle of God's people in every time and every place.



Fourth, worship is not something that starts and stops.  Church worship services may start and stop but the worshipful life of a Christian is to continue unceasingly.  As has been said, if you will not worship God seven days a week, you do not worship Him one day a week.

Stay tuned for my next post in this series.  Now that we have discussed what worship is not we will discuss what worship is.

Hello to all my music ministry friends and acquaintances.  First I would like to apologize for my lengthy absence since my last post.  Truly I have been through a season of difficulty, self-examination and change (with the help of the Lord).  I would like to echo Paul as stated in Philippians 3:13-14:  "Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended; but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus." (KJV).

Today I would like to touch on the passion we all share as Christians who have been called to some aspect of music ministry - whether it be vocal, instrumental or the leadership of such ministry.  Ephesians 4:1-3 is my focus for today and it reads:  Verse 1: "I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called, Verse 2: with all lowliness and meekness, with long-suffering, forbearing one another in love."  (KJV).

For the sake of this discussion let us consider our respective music ministries as the spiritual vocation we have been called to in this text.  Ephesians 4:1 in the NIV says, "As a prisoner of the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received."  If Paul had not thought it important for us to walk worthy he would not have appealed to us in this manner.  In verse two Paul proposes we do this by exercising lowliness, meekness, with long-suffering, forbearing one another in love - endeavoring to keep unity and peace.

In other words, by being humble, gentle, patient, understanding and peaceful.  We could fill volumes discussing applications of these precepts as they pertain to our lives and our music ministry callings.  For today though let us turn our focus inward and examine the application of the aforementioned attributes as they pertain to service within the walls of our churches.

Ask yourself these questions:  When I attend a music/vocal rehearsal what is my demeanor?  Do I strive to create a positive, joyful atmosphere? Do I give my team the impression I know it all?  Do I come across as a microphone hog?  Would others feel my instrument/voice is usually louder and overbearing as compared to the others?  Do I end up singing the majority of song solos?  And ultimately if I wasn't a leader in my department would I desire to serve someone just like me?

I will be the first to admit during the past twenty-two years of involvement in church music ministry I have been guilty of such behavior at times.  Thankfully the Lord has taught me maturity over time and allowed me to minister in a variety of denominal settings and culturally diverse venues.

Ask yourself: Prior to ministering in church services do I spend time in prayer and spiritual meditation?  Is my mind focused and determined to enter into the presence of a holy God by offering my sacrifice of praise and worship?  For that matter, what is my motive behind taking a place behind an instrument/mic?  Do I give less effort if I am ministering before a congregation of ten people or ten thousand?  And ultimately am I living a life worthy of this musical calling He has placed in my heart?

Once we have examined ourselves let us humbly bring these questions of personal introspection to our church's music departments.  Encourage each member of your music department to examine themselves and to be accountable to Jesus.  Finally, allow Jesus to continue being the center of our music ministries.  As the Colorado Mass Choir titled an album, "God Gets the Glory".

Don't lose sight of your department's role in the grand scheme of things

Hello, the title of this post is a little different... It may even seem contradictory.  But in a few minutes you will understand where I am coming from in this post. 

Yesterday I sat down with an older gentleman in my office to complete a business transaction.  In casual conversation I learned he was a Christian and he told me which church he and his wife attend in Houston, TX.  He was very animated and excited about his church and I complimented him on this.  I always feel it important to convey to others your enthusiasm for your church; this is often the first step in that person wanting to know more about your church.  After all if you are excited about going there, your excitement ignites curiosity in their minds to know more.

I continued to discuss this gentleman's church building project, size of the congregation (around two thousand), and many other facets of this work.  When I questioned him about his church's music program he explained they only sing acapella and there aren't any instruments utilized in his church.  I am familiar with Christian organizations that do not use music in their services so this was not a shock to me.  However I was surprised when I asked him their service times.  He very happily let me know that his church conducts services seven days per week!  I asked him more about this and he explained that in the early church services were held around the clock and sometimes spontaneously - and his congregation feels that by conducting services every day of the week, all members have ample opportunity to be in services.  I could only agree to that. 

What's the point of me relating this account to you?  Here is what I realized and what I've been thinking about the past day or two: this man's church is well-attended, is a huge organization with churches in numerous countries, and does not utilize music in their services.  Furthermore they hold services seven days per week.  If this man is very excited about his church and is inviting others, maybe us musicians/singers/worship leaders need to step back and realize that not every one of our Sundays must be 'perfect' from a musical standpoint.  I know there is a habit to get pulled into the performance mindset for Sunday or midweek services - after all, we only provide much music for one or two services per week and we want everyone in the congregation to feel God's spirit and respond to the Holy Ghost.  So we have a tendency sometimes to over think each worship service, each song, every aspect of every service.  When you compare all the music we provide for each of our services vs. the Christian who attends a church with no music or very little, and you still see that Christian growing in Biblical knowledge and understanding, you are forced to realize that as minstrels/worship leaders we just need to focus on ushering in the presence of the Lord into our services -- and not be over focused on who sings the verses to this song, or which pianist is playing for this song....  

Please understand I am not advocating sloppiness or a lazy approach to our ministry -- only reminding you to realize that God doesn't *need* any one of us to accomplish his work -- we only are allowed to assist in ushering the presence of God into our services.  And since this is the case, why be preoccupied with having a perfect studio sound when we should be worshipping and praising God with our whole hearts (not our performance facades) as we sing?  After all, God inhabits the praises of His people - let's set the atmosphere for God to show up!  Let us refocus on what is important when we minister to our congregations.

7 Reasons Why We Worship God

Today's blog may be of use for yourself or for you to present to your worship team/choir.  Since the essence of music ministry is offering praise and worship to God, it reasons we should spend a lot of time talking about it.

We live in a day and age when our time and money are spent on places, things, and entertainment.  Things that take up our time, many of which are necessary.  I can relate to the necessary duties: raising three boys certainly seems to vanquish almost every spare moment of my daily life outside of church, work, and sleep.   :0)    But regarding the non-important things we find ourselves caught up in, me must be careful not to let these things take the place of my energy and time we give to God.  Having said that, here are seven reasons why we worship God:

1.  He is my creator: Genesis 1:27  "So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them."

2.  He is my protector: Jude 24  "Now unto him who is able to keep you from falling, and present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy."

3.  He is my redeemer: Romans 3:24  "Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus."

4.  He is merciful: Lamentations 3:22-23  "It is the Lord's mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not.  They are new every morning: great is they faithfulness."

5.  He is my healer:  Psalm 127:3  "He healeth the broken in heart, and bindeth up their wounds."

6.  He is slow to anger: Nehemiah 9:17  "...but thou are a God ready to pardon, gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and of great kindness."

7.  He bestows blessing on us: Matthew 6:26-34  "But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness, and all of these things shall be added unto you."

Understanding Praise & Worship - Part 1

Good morning.  This is part one of a discussion about praise and worship.  What is it?  Why do we do it?  What extra responsibilities do we have as worship leaders?  What does the Bible say about what I am involved with at my church?  Lots of questions, all legitimate, so let's talk through some of them.

First, some important points:

1.  Singing or playing an instrument in church is presenting the gospel or the good news.  Every time we present the gospel is should be special, not something we allow to become routine or predictable.

2.  Our preparation time is vitally important.  My prayer and devotions help to focus in on the message I give.  How many times have you seen a church singer or musician show up for a service just to 'do their thing'?

3.  Anointed singing / playing is more than entertainment: it's a ministry.  The sooner you recognize this the better!

4.  When singing / playing is void of the anointing, it is ineffective!  A cold branding iron has never left its mark anywhere.

5.  When you are singing or playing to your local congregation, you are already acquainted with most of the audience.  You must be prepared to minister with a clear concious.  Your friends know you, they see you at your best and at your worst.  Live what you profess and sing.

6.  Perception is everything.  Sometimes the first impression is the lasting one.  When you have prepared your mind, spirit, and soul, the audience will feel the sincerity in what you are doing.

Stay tuned for Part 2, where we will delve into these concepts further and begin validating the ideas with scriptures, personal experiences, and (true) funny church stories!     :0)

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