Worship has always been at the heart of the Christian life. From Israel’s songs in the Old Testament to the early church’s devotion to “psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs” (Ephesians 5:19), the focus of worship was clear—God Himself. The purpose of gathered worship was to honor the Lord, exalt His name, and draw the hearts of believers upward to Him.
Yet in many churches today, worship often feels more like a performance than a prayer. The spotlight has shifted, sometimes literally, from God to man. Instead of the gathered body exalting Christ, the worship service can begin to resemble a concert where the congregation becomes the audience and the worship team the main attraction.
The Biblical Pattern: Worship as God-Centered
Throughout Scripture, worship is consistently directed toward God, not toward people. The psalmist declared, “Not to us, O Lord, not to us, but to your name give glory” (Psalm 115:1). True worship is about magnifying the greatness of God, not showcasing human talent. The early church understood this, gathering not for entertainment but for the teaching of the Word, prayer, the breaking of bread, and the singing of songs that reflected God’s truth.
The Modern Shift: Worship as Man-Centered
Over the past several decades, worship styles in many churches have shifted. With the rise of technology, stage lighting, professional sound systems, and a culture steeped in entertainment, it has become easier to make worship services appealing to human tastes. Lyrics can drift from theological depth toward emotional experience. Music can emphasize how worship makes us feel instead of what it declares about God’s character.
While musical excellence is not wrong—in fact, God is worthy of our best—excellence must never become performance. When the primary question becomes, “Did I enjoy the worship today?” rather than “Was God glorified?”, we have lost sight of the purpose of worship.
Signs of Man-Centered Worship
- Focus on the Performer – When the attention is on the worship leader or band rather than on Christ.
- Lyrics About Us Instead of Him – Songs dominated by personal experience without anchoring in God’s truth.
- Consumer Mentality – When congregants judge worship by personal preference (“I like that style,” “That’s not my genre”) rather than by biblical faithfulness.
- Entertainment Atmosphere – When lighting, production, and showmanship overshadow reverence for God.
Returning to God-Centered Worship
The solution is not to ban instruments, dim the lights, or reject every modern song. The real solution is to recenter our hearts and practices on God Himself. Worship leaders must ask, “Does this song exalt God’s Word and His character?” Congregations must ask, “Am I here to receive an experience or to give glory to my Creator?”
Worship that honors God can be simple or elaborate, traditional or contemporary, accompanied by an organ or a guitar. The key is not the style, but the substance. Worship that truly pleases God is Spirit-filled, Christ-exalting, and Word-saturated.
Conclusion
The church must guard against the subtle temptation to turn worship into a platform for man. When worship is man-centered, the glory goes to people. When it is God-centered, the glory goes to Him alone. And as Jesus taught, the Father is still seeking “true worshipers who will worship the Father in spirit and truth” (John 4:23).