CAPSTONE PAPER
WRSP 502
A History of Worship Music
Ardelia J. Butts
March 12, 2024
Table of Contents
Introduction ...................................................................................................................................1
The Early Church ............................................................................................................................1
The Medieval
Church ......................................................................................................................3
The
Reformation..............................................................................................................................4
The Rise of Evangelism ..................................................................................................................6
Modern
Worship...............................................................................................................................7
Conclusion .....................................................................................................................................1
0
Bibliography...................................................................................................................................1
3
Introduction
In Today's society, every person worships something or someone. Worship is only a
response to what people value. Therefore, the real question is who or what do people value the
most to worship. Since people's values are different, then the meaning of worship is different
for every individual based on their intimate and personal relationship with God. Throughout this
course, we have learned that worship is not limited to only music or song. To understand the
real meaning of worship, one should go back to the beginning in Genesis 1.
“Worship is not something tangential to the Christian story but a matter that lies at the
very heart of the Christ Scriptures from the beginning to the end.”1 Worship is at the center
despite any passages that is explored within scriptures. True worshippers have on limits when it
comes to reverencing God for who He is; time, place, and location do not matter.2 God created
man to worship, and that is the story of worship. This paper will describe and identify the events
of worship recorded throughout history from the Early Church through the twenty-first century.
The Early Church
During this period of time for the Church, worship to God was pure and simple for
most people. What others learned about God was seen through the lives of early Christians
only. The early Christians were fiercely protective of their faith and religion and shared limited
amounts with those who were not converts. Webber explains that the early Christians held
many things, specifically the Lord’s Supper sacred and made sure not to share any details of it
with pagans or nonbelievers.3 The major events of the early Church included Baptism, the
Lord’s Supper and also the reading of the Word. The simplicity of the liturgy of the time is
incomparable to the feelings that each of them had towards God and the reverence to Christ.
1 Robert Webber, Worship Old & New (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 1994), 19.
2 Gareth J. Goossen, Worship Walk: Where Worship and Life Intersect (Bloomington, IN: Westbow Press, 2012),
12. 3 Webber, 51.
Baptism was particularly important because it allowed the new believer to acknowledge the
death and Resurrection and also then, become a new member to the body of Christ.3 The
worshippers from the second and third centuries followed much of the same routine when it
came to worship in that they continued to meet in their homes and other places to worship
God. One notable change came though through the Council of Laodicea in 362 when they
decreed that music and singing should be restricted to a small group of singers and not the full
congregation.4 The public views of singing for worship purposes caused many Christians to lose
their zeal for worship at that time.
When the congregants were reduced to listening to songs and not being allowed to fully
participate anymore, the nature of worship truly began to change. Morgan contends that the
period of time in which people were not allowed to worship God for themselves through song
was probably the saddest period in the history of worship.5 However, the trajectory of worship
changed drastically with the conversion of Constantine and the adoption of Roman rites when it
came to worship. Christians were finally given the chance to worship God according to their own
feelings with a few restrictions. The Eastern liturgy changed to reflect the local culture and many
people saw the ceremonies as beautiful and highly religious.7 The Western liturgy consisted of
the Roman and Gallican rites with the Roman rites practiced in Rome and the Gallican
elsewhere in Europe. This development worked for a number of years, but by the late 500’s only
the Roman rites existed.6 By the time that the Medieval period began, worship had evolved
even more to include things that would shape history forever.
3 Ibid, 61.
4 Robert J. Morgan, Then Sings My Soul, the Story of our Songs: Drawing Strength from the Great Hymns of our
Faith(Nashville, TN: W Publishing, 2011), 23-24.
5 Morgan, 26.
7 Webber, 99.
6 Webber, 100-101.
The Medieval Church
The church went through many changes during the Middle Ages due to some of the
various edicts that had been passed down before. For every new innovation that came about,
there were some restrictions that marred the worship experience. The decision from the
Council of Laodicea was enforced, so there was no congregational singing during the worship
experiences. However, some of the greatest hymns ever written were produced during this
same time. It is very disheartening to know that there was so much good that came from the
period that was stifled by the Council. Although there were many people who managed to make
an impact at this time, one man, Bernard of Clairvaux may have made some of the most
important contributions to the Christian faith. While music and singing were limited during
these dark times, Bernard’s teachings and trainings helped to spread the Gospel that much
more, giving foundations to the modern church.7 Although music was not widespread during
this time, there were others who contributed musically and allowed for the rise of great hymns
as well.
Francis of Assisi was an innovator when it came to music during this time because he
was one of the only leaders who promoted music at this time. His willingness to push music
during this time although it was not encouraged throughout is remarkable. When he wrote
hymns, he wrote them in the languages of the people and made sure to make them appealing
to them by creating lively melodies as well.8 Equal in importance to Francis may have been
Gregory who created a chant that became popular with the masses as well. Gregory’s lively
chants allowed people to have songs that were unaccompanied by music to sing. Gregorian
chants added a flair to the worship service that had never seen before, and his works spread
7 Morgan, Then Sings My Soul, 29.
8 Elmer L. Towns and Vernon M. Whaley, Worship Through the Ages, (Nashville: B&H Publishing Group, 2012), 89.
music across Europe as well.9 The work of Gregory allowed the theology and doctrine of the
Church to be spread to the congregation through the hymns as well. There is no doubt that he
left an indelible mark on the history of music and worship during this time.
Before the Middle Ages time, Christians passed down music orally from generation to
generation. Musical notation allowed people to make the music that they sang be authentic and
unique. Much of what they did allowed them to become more enchanted with worship and
made their experiences with God more intimate for them. Worship was beginning to change
and the direct relationship between the masses and God grew stronger as history moved them
toward the greatest change at the time—the Reformation.
The Reformation
There were significant innovations during the sixteenth century that changed the course
of Christianity throughout history. The days of worship being a spectator sport for the
congregation were coming to an end; the time of useless and ineffective practices were ceasing
as well. For example, Martin Luther and John Calvin were great leaders that desired to “strip the
church of unnecessary traditions and return it to the purity of the early church, both in doctrine
and in worship.”10 Luther and Calvin wanted to return to the days when worship was
meaningful for everyone and that God for the glory. The innovations of the time pushed the
limits of traditions and led to conversations about Christianity and the way that worship services
were carried out.13
The Reformation used the difficult times to develop songs to the Lord that are sung from
generation to generation. Luther’s worship philosophy was developed out of his desire for God’s
9 Ibid, 91-92.
10 Webber, 109.
13 Ibid, 110.
people to respond to him in their own personal song.11 Congregational singing in church was
reintroduced because of the chorale and psalter innovation that was developed through Calvin
and Luther. The congregants took a more active role in the worship service and their interest
was piqued more as time moved on. “The Reformation brought with it many exciting changes in
the way people expressed their worship to God,” and this was made possible by the art of
singing as a unified body of Christ becoming commonplace once more.” 12 The change in the
way that worship took place during this time returned the common man into the presence of
God.
Authentic worship allows Man to become more in tune with God and helps us to draw
closer to God. It has been seen that unrestricted worship allows the worshipper to nearly come
face to face with God so to speak. Every time people lift their voices to God, whether in the
past, present, or future, they will feel the Holy Spirit's power and presence. The Holy Spirit
powers will undeniably overpower the force of darkness. “When people are in the presence of
God, the supernatural strikes a chord within the heart of every man and woman because we
were created to worship Him and to respond to His presence.”13 Because Man was created to
worship God, he should always have the freedom to express himself to God at all times. Luther
and Calvin did the major work to bring Man closer to God at all times through their efforts.
The Rise of Evangelism
After the Reformation, the church gatherings changed a lot due to the works of Luther,
Calvin and other leaders who sought to revive the relationship between Man and God. The
focus had shifted from the traditions and practices of old to getting back to God. The liturgical
11 Towns & Whaley, 108.
12 Ibid, 111.
13 David M. Edward, Worship 365: The Power of a Worshiping Life, (Nashville, TN: B&H Publishing Group, 2006),
184.
happenings were greatly scrutinized and anything that did not support the move towards
salvation was eliminated. The tradition forms of worship were no longer useful in the Church,
and it became evident almost immediately.14 The connections between Baptism and salvation
became stronger during this period as newly converted believers felt that baptism gave them a
new relationship with God. Therefore, in the Free Church movement, baptism was a declaration
of one’s faith that was committed in public rather than "God's action," changing the view of
salvation into "faith in Jesus Christ and the worship of God were to happen in mind or the
heart."18
Salvation was now seen more clearly as a matter of the heart and not one of tangible
proportions. Sacraments and ceremonies became obsolete, and the new waves of believers
were introduced to God in a way that resembled the covenant that had once fostered the
relationship between Man and God. The worship experiences changed drastically as well
because the focus shifted to an individual scope rather than a group. The rise of evangelism was
seen through the emergence of fiery revivals and tent meetings as well. The bond between God
and the believer ruled the thoughts and principles of evangelism. Since the main concern is
evangelism, evangelistic worship was not centered on the church's corporate action but the
experience of God and the believer.
Music played a major role during the period of evangelism as well because the believers
were able to now sing songs that meant a lot to them. The believer had the chance to praise
and worship God through songs in public as well as in private, reviving the bonds that were thee
during the Old Testament days. The musical stylings of John and Charles Wesley nurtured the
movement even more as the congregants could see themselves more as God’s beloved children.
14 Webber, 111.
18 Ibid, 114.
The hymns written by the Wesleys and George Whitfield led many people to understand God
better and move toward seeing God as a loving father.15 The use of music also brought back the
feelings and compassion of worship that had been gone for a long time. The free expression of
love and adoration for God, coupled with the music, singing, and preaching about God’s love,
gave worship a facelift so to speak.
Modern Worship
Modern worship began to take shape more in the 1900’s as newer songs began to appear
and people were more accustomed to private worship as well. It is clear to see that the needs
of the people in the congregations had changed and the importance of singing was more
prevalent. Songs were now in English everyday and that meant that anyone who wanted to
participate in the worship experience could do so freely. The developments from the
Evangelical movements of the 1800’s also helped because churches had spent so much time
incorporating music into the services; it was relatively easy now to continue to add to it. One
person who helped with that innovation was Charles Finney, who revolutionized music by
introducing the “soundtrack” aspect to music. Finney helped many people learn more about
music and God by providing manuals that musicians and worship leaders could use to guide the
congregation.16 Changes in music also made revivals more popular to the masses and increased
the number of converts rapidly.
The intense wave of revivals allowed people who would not normally go to church to
experience things that they had not known before. The music and songs were used to draw
them in and helped many form a relationship with God in a small amount of time. Learning
songs and hearing music that was easy to remember and receiving sermons that were thought
15 Towns & Whaley, 123.
16 Morgan, Then Sings My Soul, 47.
provoking was the catalyst for the great number of new converts. People now had a new
appreciation for
God and the church services as a whole because they were inspired to share in the experience.
Testimonies were implemented as a part of the services and the congregants had things that
they could share with others; these positive interactions brought people to church who had
never been before. Worship went to a new level because there was a purpose behind it that
resonated with the individuals.
The music that emerged coupled with the heartfelt sermons that promoted salvation led a lot
of people to Christ as well. The fire and brimstone sermons of the Great Awakening had run
their course and people were looking for a more compassionate message that encouraged
people to connect with God and secure their salvation. Two men who greatly influenced that
move were Dwight Moody and Ira Sanky, who used their talents to persuade people to worship
God in a different way. This collaborative team proved that worship was the activity that
involved the total man. Worship involved the body, mind, soul and spirit and elicited emotions
that were not normally touched.17 Salvation became something that was seen as an individual
choice and its uniqueness made it more attractive to the masses. It was during this period that
people began to understand that they had to know God for themselves.
The fervent efforts of worshippers also caused them to enter into a new arena when it came
to reverencing God and embracing the Holy Spirit; speaking in tongues became an integral part
of the worship experience for many people. This was a far cry from the days of old when
congregants were spectators and not full participators. The freedom that worshippers
experienced during this period helped them to develop a closer and more intimate bond with
17 Towns & Whaley, Worship Through the Ages, 230.
God. The evidence of freedom and the emergence of tongues was shown during the Azusa
Street Revival where their was singing, preaching, speaking in tongues, and interpretations.18
The fire of the Holy Ghost swept through the United States and other parts of the world due to
the fact that worshippers were able to express their love and adoration for God without the
restraints.
The modern day worship experiences were nothing that was practiced in hopes to please God.
Instead, the worship was authentic, and the focus was totally on communing with God in a way
that His presence was easy to feel.
The fiery sermons and passionate pleas of some evangelists such as Billy Graham also played
a major role in the area of worship. Billy Graham’s Crusades introduced people to a God that
they may have never known with the hopes that the message of God’s love would make the
world a better place. The 20th century saw its share of turmoil and the challenges that people
faced in life pushed them to embrace God more and to seek Him for the relief that was needed.
Worship became an action of comfort for those who endured the social and economic plights of
the world and placed a lot of emphasis on the true importance of worship; the closeness with
God became essential to survival. Some may consider that music and other facets of church
service are most important, but the bottom line is that worship is the driving force when it
comes to God.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the purpose of worship remains the same—to honor God and
reverence Him for His goodness and mercy towards us. While worship has developed over time,
it is clear to see that from its most infantile stages, worship has always been present.
Worshippers must remember that there is no substitute for worship and there never will be.
18 Ibid, 287.
Even with the innovations in science and music, worship cannot be stripped to the core of its
purpose without there being some damage. Worship must remain the main thing.
Unfortunately, we forget the real reason we were created: to worship God and stay in His
presence. Therefore, how we worship matters to God. We should worship God in Spirit and
Truth and daily.
It was a journey learning about the story of worship and how it impacts today's modern
church. Every event, person, innovation, and detail told in the previous generations paved the
way for churches Today. Worship should and is our response to the greatness of God. He
initiates, and we respond.
Bibliography
Edwards, David M. Worship 365: The Power of a Worshiping Life. Nashville, TN: Broadman and
Holman Publishing Company, 2006.
Foster, Richard J. The Celebration of Discipline: The Path to Spiritual Growth. New York, NY:
HarperCollins: 1978.
Goossen, Gareth J. Worship Walk: Where Worship and Life Intersect. Bloomington, IN: WestBow Press,
2012.
Kauflin, Bob. Worship Matters: Leading Others to Encounter the Greatness of God. Wheaton, IL: Crossway
Books, 2008.
Lim, Swee Hong, and Lester Ruth. Lovin' On Jesus: A Concise History of Contemporary Worship. Nashville:
Abingdon Press, 2017.
MacArthur, John. Worship: The Ultimate Priority. Chicago, IL: Moody Publishers, 2012.
Maxwell, John C. The 360-Degree Leader: Developing Your Influence from Anywhere in the Organization.
Harper Collins Leadership, 2005.
Moore, Dwayne. Pure Praise: A Heart-Focused Bible Study on Worship. Grand Rapids, MI: Group
Publishing Inc., 2018.
Morgan, Robert J. Then Sings My Soul, Volume 3. Nashville: Thomas Nelson Publishers, 2012.
Towns, Elmer T., and Vernon M. Whaley. Worship Through the Ages. Nashville: Broadman Holman Books,
2012.
Webber, Robert E. Worship Old, and New. Rev. ed. Grand Rapids: Zondervan Publishing House, 1994.
