Misuse of the Word "Worship"

As many contemporaries talk or write about church, they like to use the term "worship." However, as I look at what they mean by the word, I realize that they do not mean what I and any literate English-speaking Christian of the last several hundred years would mean. Among some people, worship is no longer a theological term but a musical style.

So what does "worship" mean?  Although there were some archaic meanings about general worth, the predominant idea is a religious expression of devotion to God. Such devotion to or worship of God is both an internal attitude and an external activity. Historically, common private and public expressions of worship have included Scripture reading, prayers of various kinds, the Sacraments, psalms, hymns, creeds, sermons, spoken meditations, and silence. Among traditional Christians of varied persuasions, worship has usually referred to formal or informal liturgies, rites, and orders of divine service.

Unfortunately, this traditional application of the word "worship" has been overwhelmed in some recent expressions of Christianity. Thus, many people no longer seem to have Scripture reading and prayer in mind when they talk about worship. They don't seem to include private devotions. In fact, they don't seem to include even historic hymns. In their mass market view, some poorly informed people only seem to have in mind certain recent varieties of music that involve electronics, guitars, and percussion. Furthermore, when some people speak of a "worship leader," they seem to mean a musical director, a song leader, or a band leader. This is contrary to traditional Christian terminology where the worship leader is an ordained minister or in some situations, a layperson. And although music has long-standing importance in Christian worship, the heart of Scriptural worship has been and remains Bible readings and prayers.

So what? Isn't the difference just a matter of semantics or word usage? Perhaps, at times, but I fear that often a more serious change in doctrine is involved. Our understanding of worship involves our whole understanding of Christian faith and church life. The heart of worship must remain our devotion to almighty God through Holy Scripture and prayer, and the primary worship leaders are not musicians but ordained pastors and their lay assistants in Word and Sacrament.