A Parable
 | Worship Articles
by Ron Man
Pastor of Music and Worship, EXW Contributor
May 08, 2007
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And He also told this parable to certain ones who trusted in themselves that their worship style was the only acceptable form:
"Four men went up in to the temple to pray, two traditional music directors and two contemporary worship leaders. One of the music directors stood and was praying thus to himself, ‘God, I thank Thee that I am not like many other church musicians: untrained, unrefined, undignified, or even like these contemporary worship leaders. I program only the finest art music; I present only those works truly worthy of Thee.’
"One of the contemporary worship leaders was standing off to the other side, praying like this: ‘O Lord, I thank You that I am not like many other church musicians: stuffy, inhibited, stuck in a rut of boring and irrelevant music of the past. I present only the very latest songs and reach people where they’re at.’
"In another corner the other music director and the other contemporary worship leader were kneeling and praying together. The music director prayed: ‘Lord God, You know how easily the striving for artistic excellence can become idolatrous. When I use my gifts, may I always remember that they come from Your hand, and that You delight in all of the genuine gifts of worship which Your children bring, in all of their variety.’ The worship leader prayed: ‘God, I only know four chords on the guitar, and I am not a polished performer; but I thank You for Your grace in allowing me to come near in worship, and for the privilege in leading others to Your throne. Thank You for all the different ways that Your people can praise You.’
"I tell you, these last two went away with their offerings of worship received by the Lord, rather than the others; for God is not so much concerned with the style of the musical gifts you bring, as He is with the humility of heart and genuineness of love with which you bring them."
"The one who eats is not to regard with contempt the one who does not eat,
and the one who does not eat is not to judge the one who eats,
for God has accepted him."
(Romans 14:3)
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worship is an atitude of the heart
Worship is truly an atitude of the heart.Just like the scripture says "God does not look at the outside apperarance as man does but at the heart". it is a personal introspection for one to do when you approach the presence of the Most High....more
Submitted by: timothy kimani
Location: nairobi,kenya
Timely
This is such a timely message. I literally just had this discussion with my praise team members last week! It can become so easy to get caught up on traditional vs. contemporary, that we miss the point that we should be lead by God in all that we do...more
Submitted by: Michelle
Location: Washington, DC
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This is the debut album by EXW friend Paul Langford. Paul is a Chicago based singer, arranger, keyboardist, producer and conductor. Paul has a career that spans 14 years. Paul's work includes arranging for groups like GLAD, Voices of Liberty, VoiceTrek, The Chicago based "Caroling Party" and Day of Discovery Singers. His arranging has appeared on recordings side by side with greats like Gene Puerling and David Maddux, and he has sung with Don Shelton, Bonnie Herman and Bob Bowker, among others.