What Does Worship Style Have to Do With a Successful Church?
Different churches have different worship styles. Where they are at may be for a variety of reasons. Some perhaps wish they could be more contemporary but don’t have the musicians. Some hold tightly to traditional worship. Others have embraced contemporary worship in order to reach new people.
I am not interested in talking about what is the best style of worship. In fact, I don’t think one is better than an other. Some older hymns are great, some newer songs are great. Some from all eras are hard to listen to.
I am more interested in responding to the idea that a church needs to update their worship style in order to be successful. I will not deny that there are some people who will be drawn to a “rockin'” worship band. But then again, there are people who are going to be drawn to a pipe organ and choir.
Attracting people with an attractive music style (and that is really what we are talking about here) is not the definition of a successful church. It may bring more people into the building but churches are called to more than that.
If people are attending a church only because they enjoy the music (at least in the long-term), there is a problem. A successful church is more about building healthy community and discipling people into followers of Jesus. Music can be part of discipleship but not the main part.
None of this means that how a church does music is unimportant. Churches should provide a worship setting that’s reflects the best they can do. But ultimately, attracting people with that music is not the main goal.
Worship is important but it is worship of God and not just appreciation of worship music. So enjoy your choir or your worship team but don’t get caught up in the entertainment industry.
