Worship & Praise @ the Cross Road

Chris Bowater

I guess that this at least suggests that it is still on a journey. Where the Church is at in respect to Praise & Worship, and where it is heading, is in some ways determined by its history. The Broad Theological territory has perhaps never been in dispute. The contemporary stylistic debate has largely become embraced, though at times admittedly, sometimes, only tolerated. There are however new theological & cultural challenges facing the 21st century Worshipping Church. so, what is the story that has brought us to a time and place where once again everything is up for review?

Each generation has faced the challenge of embracing the new, finding themselves often in conflict to traditional thought and practice. As far back as Pope Gregory, the Roman Catholic Church tried to canonize music. There are still orders of the Church whole-heartedly subscribing to the Gregorian chant. As beautiful an art form as it is, and as well established as it became, time has passed and the mainstream of the Catholic Church has left it behind. History reveals many attempts to canonize music. The `we have found it’ movements in time became mere monuments, sad & `fossilized’ relics of a people unable or unwilling to adopt & reflect change. Calvin & Luther were locked into a theological & creative battle. Calvin insisted that `only God `s Word is worthy to be sung in God `s praise’; hymns & human composition were forbidden. Luther borrowed tunes from the secular arena in his day and for that received much criticism. Pietists of the mid-eighteenth century generally rejected art music and generally set out to create a more pure `church music’. The Salvation Army were vilified for their militant & `unsolemn’ rhythms. Sankey & Moody shocked for their use of `the waltz’, made famous by the composer Johann Strauss. And so it goes.

More than 25 years ago the signs of metamorphosis in Worship & Praise music in the UK were evident. It was a transformation with far reaching results. The songs birthed in this nation since that time have touched the nations of the earth and modelled and reflected creative, theological and prophetic ways forward.`Scripture in Song’ came out of New Zealand. The simplicity & freshness of `Folk’ inspired settings of Bible verses swept through the nations.

The `Come Together’ musical by Jimmy & Carol Owen, and subsequent titles, `If My People’ & `The Witness’ introduced many to new styles of worship, challenging the widely used `hymn/prayer sandwich’. New publications such as `Youth Praise’ & `Songs of Fellowship,’ `Mission Praise’ and the innovation of `Spring Harvest,’ an interdenominational event, attracting many thousands over the past two decades, nurtured & released an abundance of new songs into the life of the Church.

This `middle of the road’ soft-rock style spawned the emergence of worship teams and the introduction of drums, bass, guitars and keyboards, threatening the long established reign of the piano and organ. More importantly, the long rule of the sole pianist and organist was being challenged. Largely, the prevailing themes were the Father` s heart, love for Jesus, and a celebration of Joy.

Graham Kendrick emerged as the most significant, cross-denominational writer. His songs had accessible melodies & guitar chords, were rich with strong theological content and found acceptance outside of the confines of charismatic renewal.

The growth of New Church, Renewal in the Established denominations and the emergence of a re-envisioned youth culture in the Pentecostal Church gave rise to worship & praise that was contemporary in style with a new sense of Spirit led freedom. The Dales Bible Weeks, hosted by Harvest Time Churches & its Restoration theology brought a renewed vision of the Church & The Kingdom. An emphasis on the Holy Spirit, and later from the influence of Vineyard Churches, brought a new dimension of devotion, awe and an emphasis on holiness.

These were extraordinary times in the life of the UK Church. For me personally to be involved alongside Graham Kendrick, Noel Richards, Dave Bilborough & Dave Fellingham shaping a new worship culture in the `80`s & early `90’s was an awesome honour. The ministries of each of us writing & leading praise & worship grew out of networks of strong relationships. It is impossible to disregard the significance of these networks & the key friendships with apostolic leaders. It is also significant that those relationships in some form, are today still in place; Graham with Ichthus & Roger Forster, Noel with Pioneer & Gerald Coates, Dave with New Frontiers & Terry Virgo, Dave B with John Noble, Team Spirit & later Pioneer and myself in association with AoG & also Ground Level, whilst in a committed friendship with John Shelbourne & Stuart Bell.

In the mid to later part of the `90`s worship & praise was impacted by the sounds & styles of Integrity Music from the USA and Hill Song from Australia. However, there has been an accelerated growth of young British writers led by Martin Smith of Delirious fame, Matt Redman & Stuart Townsend. Again, these ministries have been nurtured in and grown out of strong apostolic & network relationships. The key thought of this generation is summed up in Matt Redman`s song `When the Music fades’. He wrote, `I’m coming back to the heart of worship, it’s all about You, Jesus’.

This brings us to a place I have called `Worship & Praise @ the Cross Roads’
There are many challenges, changes & questions to be faced by this 21st century Church.

• In order to be truly rooted in a Christian culture today` s song need to re-state the values & foundations of the Faith. Expect to see a re-emphasis on The Cross, Salvation, Forgiveness, Hope, The Resurrection, The Second Coming & Heaven.

• Theological objectivity needs to balance the pre-occupation with subjective feelings & a mere emotional response.

• Anticipate an increase of co-writing & team worship leading combating independence & individualism.

• There will be a greater `mixing up’ of traditions & styles as theological streams & musical styles discover and fuse with one another. Freedom & orthodoxy will increasingly be comfortable with each other.

• There will be a growing reaction to a Christian Worship industry that insists on manufacturing the worship agenda rather than reflecting what God is doing at grass roots in the Church.

• Spiritual sons & daughters will rediscover their spiritual .parents. Even though the trend to embrace & release youth culture will increase it will be accomplished in the context of prayerful & skilful mentoring.

• The worshipping Church will become more multi-media conscious and worship will be truly more creative & glorious.

• True worship will avoid a spectator and audience mentality. The excellence of performance will become secondary to an excellence of spirit. Character will take pre-eminence above charisma. Attitude will be more important than ability.

• The worshipping Church will become increasingly outward looking. The intimacy of worship will produce the engagement of the Church in the local community, national & international care & welfare and other mission initiatives..

• Brokenness & joy will be the hallmark of this 21st century worshipping Church. Brokenness produces total dependency on God which in turns produces total satisfaction & joy in Him.

A major threat within the glorious opportunities of our current culture is the trend towards overtly ‘seeker friendly Church’ that can become quite frankly, unfriendly to the work & activities of the Holy Spirit. Closely following this shift is the suppression, limiting and at times outright rejection of the gifts of the Holy Spirit and their use in public worship. It need not be ‘either/or’ but should be ‘both/and’. It is easy to see how this has happened.

The wide acceptance of the new forms and expressions of worship have brought conventional evangelical and Charismatic/Pentecostal streams closer together. The songs however have preceded the theological revelation that was the womb of the new songs revolution. Practice can often run ahead of understanding. Imitation is often more willingly accessed than revelation. The genuine concern comes when those who have been formerly fully charismatic in experience and expression abandon the roots of ‘who’ they are and live in denial of their spiritual DNA. For me, whereas most matters concerning form and style are up for negotiation, this single matter is ‘a hill worth dying on.’.


There is a re-building & repairing process at work in the Church today. I believe that the vision and desire for worship is being renewed. The journey so far has not been without hazards & mistakes. But it has also been very fruitful. The foundations are good. Now, let a new generation with a desire to complete what has been started step up & walk & live the vision to its fulfilment.

(c) Chris Bowater 

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