When was the last time you attended or listened to an orchestra? I think I’ve only had the privilege of attending a professional performance twice in my life thus far. (I’m guessing the high school orchestra doesn’t really count.)

The first time, I remember that we were so close that I couldn’t really see the stage at Orchestra Hall in Minneapolis, MN. I can recall being inside the building, though. The Fall of 1994 was the last, attending the performance as part of a collegiate music theory course I enrolled in that semester. This time we were up on the third tier in the theatre house, looking down on the stage and the vast audience below us.

I realize that for most of us, attending a symphony performance is a bit of a stretch. Why is it, though, that we who seek to lift our songs to praise to Almighty God overlook the musical masters who sought, rather often, to do the same?

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Most of us openly acknowledge that each congregation is different for a variety of reasons.  One of those difference that causes a multitude of problems is also one of the driving sources of conflict when we discuss the topic of worship.  This is the element of Style.

Even within a single church body style often varies from ministry to ministry, even beyond the scope of worship.  We teach Biblical truths differently from children’s church to youth group to the adult Sunday message.  Some of us use PowerPoint; some preach extemporaneously while others read their sermons; drama or video clips might be employed, or they might be considered distracting.  You’ve likely heard that the message is more important than methods used to communicate it.  As long as your message aligns with Biblical truth, the methods aren’t necessarily of importance.  Basically, you can cling to and make use of your own Style so long as you remain true to the Inspiration.

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