The first call of the church is not evangelism; it is to worship. For sure, there is the call of Jesus to “Go” (Matthew 28:19), but unless His disciples have first worshiped the true and living God, they have no one or nothing to share. Worship is the response of the created to the Creator, recognizing someone who is greater, bigger, and more powerful than humankind can ever be. Because of this, worship matters; the way followers of Christ worship and, most of all, the intent of their worship matter!

The Worship and Music Leadership training offered by the Newbold College of Higher Education (NCHE) in Bracknell, England, was a pilot program conducted in partnership with the Andrews University International Center for Worship and Music. Taking place from May 5–13, 2023, and bringing together a diverse group of international professionals and local leaders, the primary objective of the training was to develop a worship experience that is rooted in biblical principles, inspiring, and engaging for the local church community.

Biblically Founded Worship

In the studious atmosphere of Newbold’s Smith Centre, program leaders and participants explored the biblical principles of worship through a series delivered throughout the week. “Our worship needs to be rooted in an essential understanding of our value in God’s eyes as human beings,” said Dr. Nick Zork, songwriter, worship leader, and music director at the Church of the Advent Hope in New York City, in an opening lecture to conceptually frame the training. Worship is our response to God’s love and an act of gratitude for what He has done for us. From this viewpoint, worship is about fully focusing on God, not on our own skills or performance.

“We need … to be humble,” reflected Diana Roldan (a participant from Mexico). “Not just trying to force our thoughts into God or into someone, but allowing God to break those down so that He can mold those in a way He wants to.”

Focusing on God is a humbling yet liberating thought when we realize “it is the Holy Spirit who will take care of the work, which we only facilitate through worship,” remarked Dr. David Williams, associate professor of worship and sacred music at Andrews University.

Facilitating a worship experience is a significant task. It requires us “to be mindful of our audience and to produce meaning, not confusion for the people in front of us,” Williams added. The starting point is challenging, though. Parishioners gather to worship God, but they come from different experiences, contexts, and theological standpoints. They also enter God’s presence in diverse cognitive and emotional states. How can we then deliver a worship service that speaks to the audience?

Meaningful and Inspiring Worship

Creating a meaningful worship often requires contextualization; this was the theme of presentations by Dr. Tihomir Lazić, senior lecturer in systematic theology at NCHE, as he explored different perspectives, purposes, practices, and principles of worship with participants throughout the week. As part of this exercise, the group visited different worship traditions, varying from St. Aldates Anglican Church in Oxford to the contemporary worship genre of Hillsong worship. “All were invited to immerse themselves in a variety of experiences, opening up some new questions and challenges that we need to address,” remarked Lazić.

While music often lies at the core of a worship experience, “It is fascinating to think that worship is more than music and singing— a concept that was completely new for me,” reflected Helen Diaz (a participant from Italy) on thoughts shared throughout the week. Creating an inspirational worship that includes a variety of expressions and allows people to exercise their agency was a theme Kärt Lazić (singer, worship leader, and songwriter) tackled with the group.

Participants learned “there is a place for every person, and we need to be able to facilitate that space so that they can worship God as well,” DeLocia White (attendee, UK) summarized. 

As we come to worship with a whole range of emotions, tastes, and talents, “the important thing is to make worship a complete experience,” reflected Jóhann Grétarsson (attendee, Iceland). This completeness of worship experience also refers to providing the audience with a quiet time by creating space to reflect, share, and respond to the overarching message delivered through the various items of the worship service.

Engaging Worship

“As attendees were exploring rich and diverse ideas throughout the week, they were curious to know how to apply the teaching in the local church when there are challenges, lack of resources, and sometimes a lack of interest,” remarked Isai Moran (gospel pianist and musician, USA). Recognizing this need, the program leaders and participants spent significant time applying the principles of worship to prepare the Sabbath worship service for the final weekend. Under the direction of Zork, the group practiced creative songwriting. The song they produced, titled “Drawing Us Closer,” creatively reinterprets the hymn “Nearer, Still Nearer,” celebrating the power of the Holy Spirit to unify worshippers by drawing each closer to God and each other.

This song, alongside an inspiring liturgy, an interactive “Hallelujah” song, and an engaging children’s story shaped the Sabbath worship service at the end of the seminar. During the joint worship service with the local Newbold Church congregation, the communal worship placed significant emphasis on the core Christian message. It highlighted that worship serves as a heartfelt expression of gratitude for God’s boundless love, manifested through Jesus’ ultimate sacrifice. This profound gratitude then naturally elicits a joyful anticipation of Jesus’ second coming and a deep longing for our eternal life with Him in heaven.

“The key value of the training was that participants experienced several days exploring how God is at work in many of their fellow worship leaders. Hopefully, such new friendship will help build a network that lasts. With a plan to continue with worship and music training in the future, the aim is to include more pastors and elders,” said Kärt Lazić, expressing her desire for the event to be not just a passing highlight but an inspiration for the future.

As participants departed the Newbold campus to return to serve in their local churches and spheres of influence, they left with grateful thanks to the many people who worked to make the event a tremendous success, including:

• Ken Burton, composer, songwriter, performer, and choral director, Andrews University

• Dr. Steve Zork, professor of music, conductor of University Singers and Chorale, Andrews University

• Prof. Susan Zork, emerita professor of religion, Andrews University

Particular thanks went to the Andrews University Singers for their outstanding performances during the Sabbath worship service and the evening ChoirFest that was organized in cooperation with Reading Gospel Choir as an outreach program for the local community. Gratitude was also expressed to Newbold College staff and Newbold Church volunteers who contributed wholeheartedly of their time and talent to make this program possible.

The original version of this story was posted on the Trans-European Division website.