Occasional Worship
If you’re reading this piece (and you obviously are), it’s probably for one of two reasons: 1) to see if your favorite worship song is on this list, or 2) to see if your least favorite worship song is on this list.
Music (and maybe particularly worship music, due to its personal, participatory nature) is a very individualized preference. What I “like” or even love may well be a song you’d be fine never to hear (let alone sing) again... and vice versa.
Divine Worship Occasional Services
The Book of Occasional Services is a collection of liturgical resources related to occasions which do not occur with sufficient frequency to warrant their inclusion in The Book of Common Prayer. These materials are authorized by the General Convention through the provisions of Title II, Canon 3, Section 6 of the Canons of the Episcopal Church. Occasional Services book. Read reviews from world’s largest community for readers. Orders and rituals to dedicate property and to set persons in position. The decision was made to do as other churches have done and produce a book of occasional services separate from the Book of Common Worship, which would include additional liturgical resources needed by the church, such as ordinations, installations, dedications, and other occasional services, and liturgies needed by presbyteries to fulfill.
But I’m reminded of the story of a pastor whose congregant commented to him after the Sunday service that he hadn’t liked the music that morning. The pastor replied, “Oh, what don’t you think the Lord liked about it?”
I’m going to put on my worship leader hat here and say that worship songs are not about what we like or don’t like. Worship music at its best should be an accurate reflection of who God is and an accessible tool for His worshipers to use to affirm that truth. Worship songs should also draw us closer to God and to the strength, conviction, comfort, and counsel He provides. A song that does not do these things may be a perfectly “likable” song. It may be fine to listen to on the radio or sing in the shower. But it might be best left to those venues and kept out of the sanctuary on Sunday morning.
Divine Worship Occasional Services
Occasional Worship
From my worshiper’s and worship leader’s heart (and with full admission that these are my personal opinions), here are 10 worship songs I’d be fine not to see on the Powerpoint screen again.
Photo courtesy: ©Thinkstock/northwoodsphoto