Recently there’s been a lot of Hot takes on what song is a worship and praise song and what song is not!
Personally I understand worship to be everything we do WITH the spirit, FOR the spirit, BY the spirit and IN the spirit this also includes any song we sing with God involved – So long as God is at the center of it to me it is worship.
Howbeit for the purpose of congregational usage of Music in expressing our worship. When a worship session is being referred to, it is trying to describe a moment in the gathering where we steal sometime to cast unfeigned attention on God,
This moment is characterized by the usage of words laced with sounds to ascribe worth-ship, honor and adoration to God,
Dear Minstrel in a moment like this you must employ sounds that fit into the demand of the session.
To help you, I have categorized Christian songs into 10. Though they are more, but these ten seems to be the most popular category.
1. Worship songs: These are songs centered on adoring the nature, character and goodness of God.
2. Praise songs: These are songs centered on the mighty acts of God. With this song we praise His acts, exalt His dominion and majesty.
3. Consecration songs: These are songs that helps us release ourselves to God, it helps strengthen our commitment to God, revives our desire for fellowship.
4. Motivational Songs: These are songs intended to motivate and strengthen people. For example My song “We are not wasting time” is motivational. The reason for the song is to strengthen and encourage the Labours of people.
5. Affirmation sounds: These are sounds that affirms our reality in God. It helps increase our consciousness, boost our faith. They emphasize on what, who and what we are/Have in Christ Jesus. Recently there has been a surge on Affirmation sounds from the likes of Pastor Lawrence Oyor, Moses Bliss etc. For example Favour by Lawrence Oyor is an affirmation sounds, bulk of His sounds recently has been on affirmation.
6. Prayer songs: These are songs done with the intention to ignite and inspire prayers. Many times they are laced with chants (Singing in the spirit). And other times they carry a request with them. Request not for things, but request to know the heart of God, deeper drawing and intimacy etc.
7. Gratitude/Thanksgiving songs: These are songs centered on what God has done for us directly. It is an expression of our testimonies and gratitude.
8. Intimacy/Love songs: These are songs that attempts to describe our intimate union with God and attempts to inspire our hearts with Love for God. My catalogue is very Rich with this sounds, this is my main base. Songs like Mi Amor, Rhythm of Yahweh, Darling etc.
9. Intercessory sounds: These are songs done with the aim of intercession. For example “Spend my life by Theophilus Sunday” is both a consecration and intercessory sound, another example is the song “Jesus tonight we decree, let them be many who will fall in Love with you” by Lawrence Oyor. Another example is Fire chant by Mr wealth.
10. Prophetic sounds: These are songs that talk about what God is doing in the atmosphere, amongst the nations or in peoples life. They can also pass for sounds spontaneously inspired by the spirit of God.
As a music minister it is important you know each of this category, understand where each song falls and know which one to sing that will fit into the purpose of the moment. Stop singing consecration songs and chants when you are told to come and lead worship in your local church.
That moment, songs focused on describing the person of God, His Glory, majesty etc should be employed.
Again, I believe worship includes everything we do for God, with God, in God and through God. This also includes any song we sing with God at the center of it. Be it consecration, prayer songs, etc.
But for the purpose of congregational expression of worship through music this categorization has become necessary so that you know the songs that best serve the moment.
Don’t forget Project Bethel is on the 8th of March. At the old convocation Arena University of Port Harcourt. Don’t miss out.