Connecting the Mind and Heart: Holistic Worship for Whole People

It seems that there is quite a bit of talk in my circles, recently, about the idea of "holistic" ministry. By holistic, we mean a kind of ministry that does not merely speak to the spiritual side of human beings, but is also very much concerned with the physical condition in which people exist. This kind of holistic philosophy seems to be lost at times, so it is excellent that the topic has been found once again.

Specifically, though, this philosophy of holism should not stop on the surface of the ministerial, but should go specifically deeper to the practice of that which is worshipful. As a part of the church's ministry, worship should and must be affected by the knowledge that humans are whole people, with both mind and intellect, as well as feeling and emotion. If we miss this understanding, or fail to apply it to every area, including and especially worship, then we have failed to minister to the entirety of who we are as humans.

In this context, we specifically refer to worship as the musical aspect of the church service. Certainly, the philosophies laid out work outside of this specific issue as well, but that is not the point of the post here. Here, we are addressing potential issues that can arise from the ever-fragile topic of worship and worship style placed in the functions of the church. 

Though a contested issue, we do ourselves a great disservice by not addressing the hot topic of stylistic differences among the modern-day church. In just about every church, at one time or another, this issue on worship style has been addressed, causing either stronger unity among churches that all agree together, or causing divisive spirits and church splits over whether certain instruments are permissible. Therefore, whether or not we are interested in bringing up a heated issue, the great debate of the church compels us to converse about it.

Whether traditional or contemporary in style, there are three things that all worship leaders and congregations must recognize if they are to holistically use their worship to benefit their fellow Christians and praise the God they are worshiping. 

First, we must realize that anything in life can be used for God's glory, or for evil and selfish purposes. Traditional worship must understand that the controversy over guitars, drums, and microphones is absolute foolishness. The instruments themselves are in no-way tainted by sin--that is to say, that in and of themselves, they are not wrong or bad or wicked. You can use those same instruments to curse God, or you can use them to praise and lift Him up. Just as one's speech or money may be used in selfish ways or in self-less sacrifice, so too can these inanimate instruments be used to celebrate man's sinfulness or to celebrate the God that delivered us from that sin.

Contemporary worship, however, must be careful in the use of the contemporary style, so that they do not praise themselves, while mistaking it for praising God. The style itself is not a problem--the problem, as with anything, is that we can use anything (including our gifts in music) to celebrate ourselves. We can become so involved with loving the style that we forget to love the God that our style is praising. In and of itself, it is neutral--and the instruments and style of the contemporary can be used for bad, just as it can be used for good.

Secondly, we must ask if we are inadvertently adding or subtracting to our worship.  The worry about the contemporary styles is often that their is a danger of adding to the worship service things that God has not prescribed. It would behoove those of us in a contemporary worship setting to be careful not to become creative to the point of blasphemy. There is certainly room for creativity in worship, as long as it is within the bounds that God has laid down. However, the danger is in playing the card of "Christian liberty and creativity," which can open the door for a myriad of things in the worship service, including in our music, that God has not asked for from us. 

On the flip-side, however, traditionalists are not free from guilt on this point. It may be a well-grounded fear that they actually subtract from the worship of God out of fear of adding to the worship of God. Because they fear adding instruments or excessive musical style to God's worship, they inadvertently subtract from the worship of God. How so? Because, essentially, they are adding regulations to God's worship which He has not prescribed. We are instructed to praise the Lord in song--but there are no real specifics on how that should look in the church. And it is just as wrong to add un-prescribed regulations to worship out of fear  as it is to add un-prescribed freedom out of creativity.

Finally, we must realize that we are whole people in need of holistic worship. Traditionalists, please listen to this point especially. The style of traditional worship, its fears of its contemporary cousin, often cause those involved in the traditional to forget that we are whole people. Definitely, we are in need of songs and music and lyrics that speak deeply to the vast intellect and mind that God has given us. Without a doubt, there is a place for the deepness and greatness of theology and hermeneutics, even in song. But please, do not forget that we are emotional beings. The contemporary style, the hands that are often raised, the shouts to God, the physical movement in celebration to the God who has freed us--these are not things to fear. These are examples and exhibitions of the holistic nature of humanity, the imago Dei, the image of God in which we are created. These things are not distracting or disruptive. They are part of who we are as humans.

But contemporary individuals, do not use your emotional style for manipulation. Do not use the rhythm or the hand raising in looking for the manipulation of the masses. Use your style, your lyrics, and your music to enhance the glory of God by the worship of the holistic humans He created.

Whether traditional or contemporary is not really the main thrust.

Instead, it is to not become so caught up in the debate over style that we forget the God we worship.