First, we are created to worship. We are created uniqely. We must not fall into believing that there is one place for “worship.” I believe that my role as a worship leader (through music) is to create an atmosphere, wherever I may be, that compliments a worshipful attitude or conscience. In John 4, when Jesus met the Samaritan woman at the well, which came as no surprise to him, he taught her about some misconceptions on worship and made some declarations about future worship. “Yet a time is coming and has now come when the true worshippers will worship the Father in spirit and in truth, for they are the kind of worshippers the Father seeks.”

I believe that my role as a worship leader (through music) is to create an atmosphere, wherever I may be, that compliments a worshipful attitude or conscience.

In my opinion, I do not think that screaming electric guitar solos or, say, secular cover songs, create an atmosphere that lends itself to a mindful or intellectual worship experience. While there may be a place for screaming electric guitar solos and secular cover songs, we do not think that they are condusive to a worshipful experience. In part, many times they cross the boundries in a corporate worship setting. Dale Fincher, an apologist and actor said, “The message is sometimes the medium.” If perhaps Bach were on the radio you would not feel compelled to body slam your neighbor. On the other hand, Ludacris’ music, for example, may. Whether or not you agree, music has an effect on our minds then our bodies. Rather than explaining what we think is an appropriate “style” of music, we hope that you experieince an acceptable way to worship as you experience us. We, as a band, strive to make quality music while not pointing at our own abilities. It is our struggle and desire.

Intellectualism vs. Emotionalism in Worship:

First, I will start by giving definitions. Webster’s Dictionary says that intellectualism is the doctrine (or teaching) that knowledge is derived from pure reason. Reason is a gift from God. Let me also say that we can not know everything there is to know about Christianity because some of Christianity is a mystery. There were mysteries in the Old Testement that were made clear through Jesus Christ (Romans 16:25; Colossians 1:26), but there still remains many mysteries that will not be revealed until His return. For one, as imperfect sinners, receiving a perfect grace that allows us to escape certain punishment is a gift of heavenly mystery. Like one character in C.S. Lewis’ Chronicles of Narnia said, “I’m going to live like a Narnian even if there is no Narnia.’ To live with a mystery surrounded by truth is better than to live with no truth surrounded by darkness. Research and prayer usually produce results. So what I intend to mean by intellectualism is the doctrine of being thoughtful about your walk with Christ. According to Webster’s Dictionary, meditation is serious contemplation. There is no “feeling” involved. Do not be afraid to be critcal. What father would not want his son to question his heart?

Many times in worship (through music) we are distracted by loud amps and media tools and forget to be mindful about what we are being a part of: corporate worship.

On the other hand, emotion is a stirred mind or feeling. There are many things that can stir our emotions, including music. Any decision made only with emotion can end up wrong. Usually an emotional decision is shallow and short fused. Emotion can be moving and exciting. It can enhance physical boundries and create a wider range of experiences. Dallas Willard says, “Feelings make excellent servants, but terrible masters.” Like the mind the emotions can be misused.

My struggle has been in dividing, or perhaps combining, the two in worship. This again refers to Jesus’ command to worship in spirit and truth. Many times in worship (through music) we are distracted by loud amps and media tools and forget to be mindful about what we are being a part of: corporate worship. Ask yourself if it is possible to contemplate the things of God and sing praises to His name at the same time. If it is, then you have found good ground to worship on. Be mindful, but do not be so critical that you block the Holy Spirit from stirring your spirit. Be enthusiastic, but do not be so enthusiastic that you miss the meaning of the experience.