Want to try something fun? Search for "Worship Music" in the bible and see what you get.
Kind of interesting no?
I don't know how to change the current perception that worship is music and music is worship in the post modern age but as a "worship leader" I feel compelled to try.
The irony is that singing can indeed be an act of worship and as musicians our native language is music, so to speak, so the line gets blurry for us. Adding to that blur is the fact that most churches reinforce the idea of worship only being music by focusing so heavily on it while stamping out other forms of expression.
I think that needs to change somehow.
I tend to break the connection between worship and music by saying music is sometimes worship but music is always music. I pull that line out especially when our music has been less than musical and I feel like we are giving poor musical performance a pass because it is "worship". Talking about music in this way has helped our dialogue as church leaders and has opened up our congregation.
Breaking the implied connection of worship to music should be a priority, in my opinion, especially if we want to see new expressions of worship entering the church. This can only help us in the long run by removing the pressure of music trying to be all things to all people and biblically accurate enough to satisfy the command to love God and others with our lives.
There is no song crafted well enough to replace a life fully surrendered to our King.
Since I am a musician I will always be drawn to music as my primary form of expression but it sure is refreshing to see people bring their own unique non musical offering to the temple again.