Tim Uluirewa Ministries

PO Box 6451  Lakemba  NSW 2195  Australia

Tel: (02) 9759 7826

Fax: (02) 9740 7760

Email: contact@timuluirewa.com

Tim's Thoughts

21st CENTURY PRAISE & WORSHIP

by Tim Uluirewa

Praise & Worship as we know it today is a genre (style) of music. It has its own classification category in the music industry. From the era of the Jesus Movement in the 1960’s, coupled with the Charismatic Movement, the Pentecostal churches were being confronted with new forms of expressions in worship. As the Holy Spirit was impacting lives across denominations, a paradigm shift was taking place. In some countries, the Pentecostal churches did not welcome this new wave of revival that was taking place. They had never seen Catholic priests and nuns praising God in an expressive manner that one would normally associate with Pentecostals. Also, to see expressive forms of the arts such as dance, and the use of electronic instruments and drums, brought a totally new sound to a church service. However, the Australian Assemblies of God, under the leadership of Rev. Andrew Evans, welcomed Charismatics, which contributed to the enormous ‘growth spurt’ in the Pentecostal/charismatic churches in Australia during the 1980’s.

Having said that, this, I believe, is our present challenge: Are we true to the purpose of Praise and Worship? Firstly, what is the purpose of Praise and Worship? Why do we do this thing we call Praise and Worship? Is it an event? Hopefully, it is exclusively and solely for the adoration and glorification of our Lord, Jesus Christ! Unto Him shall the gathering of the people be – From Him, To Him and For Him!

Praise and Worship has been given a major emphasis in our church services. It is truly an integral part of the service when we all in one accord lift our voices in praise and worship to the Lord. God inhabits the praises of His people. This is such a dynamic time, as we communicate our hearts to the Lord in a moment of ‘transaction’, through heartfelt adoration and thanksgiving.

There should be no separation between congregation and platform personnel.  Even though there is a spatial division between the two,  there should NOT be a focus diversion. There is only one focus for worship leader and worshippers. That is the AUDIENCE OF ONE! Jesus Christ, the Lamb who sits on the throne, is the audience of our worship!

The congregation is not the audience! The platform personnel should combine with the congregation to form one ensemble to perform to the Lord. He is, and always should be, the recipient of our praise! “Sing and make music in your heart to the Lord!”

When we make Christ the focus, He will draw all men unto Himself! Let us not get in the way! He is to be exalted at all times! When we cultivate a Christ-centred, worshipful lifestyle, we will be motivated by the Holy Spirit into an attitude and a mindset of excellence! This attitude and mindset is a by-product of humility and gratitude. Somehow, these elements are all connected. When a spirit of adoration overwhelms us, we cannot contain the attitude of humility and gratitude. It transforms our attitude so that we actually radiate the love of God that is in our hearts so that people will see the love we have for God.

This is the vital ingredient that is necessary for every Christian to have. We must always have a thankful attitude toward God for His tender mercies and His grace that is always abounding toward us. While we were still lost and drowning in our sin, Christ rescued us, cleansed us, and clothed us in His garments of righteousness!

WORSHIP IS A PRIVILEGE

by Tim Uluirewa

The presence and the blessings of God we are enjoying today are not our right! They are gifts from God. We, as Gentiles, have been granted this privilege to partake and become heirs of God the Father, through our Lord, Jesus Christ! With this concept firmly established, we take our place as sons and daughters of the Most High God, who know their function in worship! The concept of Praise and Worship just being a ‘song service’ at the beginning of a church service, leading up to the preaching of the Word of God, will be eradicated. We know that Praise and Worship is more than just a musical event. It is not an event. It is an ENCOUNTER with Almighty God!

Just as God yearned to have fellowship with Adam and Eve after sunset in the Garden of Eden; so does God desire to encounter us in worship. What a privilege to know that God has made a special appointment to meet with us in times of Praise and Worship.

This can happen in our quiet time of prayer and devotion at home, or at work, travelling on the road, air, sea, or at church. God inhabits the praises of His people.

Similarly, Moses had an ‘Encounter of the God Kind’ in the desert, when he came in close contact with the burning bush. I’m sure Moses had frequented that particular place in the desert before, while tending his father-in-law’s cattle. But the day he saw the burning bush was to be a transforming experience in his life. This was where he encountered his destiny. This was the unfolding of God’s plan and purpose for Moses to fulfil. This incident clearly tells me that worship is more than just an event. Assuredly, when God’s people get together, it is an event, i.e. church service, convention, crusade, worship concert etc. However, in the midst of the mass of people, you can determine in your heart to turn that gathering into a personal encounter with God, where you touch the ‘hem of His garment’! Just as the sick lady determined to press through the crowd  just to touch the hem of Jesus’ garments, so should the attitude of every worshipper be to ensure that they encounter Christ Jesus, the audience of our worship.

ENCOUNTER OF THE GOD-KIND

by Tim Uluirewa

As I’ve been travelling around the world for the past 12 years on itinerant music ministry, I have observed that God’s people are yearning and desperate for a visitation of God in their Praise and Worship. The ‘spectacular stage shows’, and complicated arrangements are not pulling down the presence of God. Instead, there’s a sense of frustration and dryness that has come over the praise and worship times. They’re just going through the motions of ‘three fast songs, two slow songs, sixty seconds of singing in tongues, and a prayer’. Many times, as I visit churches, I sense the Holy Spirit prompting me to lead the congregation in a time of ‘intimate worship’. I have battled with the leading of the Holy Spirit many times because I feel that the worship leader and church music team have spent a good portion of the service time in worship.

However, the Holy Spirit convicts me even more strongly to lead the church in further worship. When I give in to the Holy Spirit, I immediately discover the noticeable breakthrough in the service, as God’s people start to sense the presence of God in a tangible way. There is a sense of uplift to another level in God. This is definitely a God thing!

Musicians and Singers, please note! God is not impressed with our singing, or musical compositions and arrangements. He is impressed with those who call upon Him with an open heart of adoration and love.

BIBLICAL SONGWRITING

by Tim Uluirewa

The message of our songs is very important:

This being the case, there should be more training on the message of songs, worship leaders in their song selections.

The songs we sing have evolved in an ad hoc manner. Songwriters have largely been left on their own, with little in the way of critiques or advice on the message, or referral back to a Biblical Standard

Therefore, we need get back to Biblical Standards. Songs should be CHRISTO CENTRIC (Christ Centred)

Things to consider:

so, we must look objectively at the MESSAGE, and not be beguiled by beautiful melodies, stirring harmonies, clever lyrics, or foot-tapping rhythms.
These are the 4 areas that support the MESSAGE:
 
FOUNDATIONS
a. What is worship?
There are 2 major Greek and Hebrew words, which are often, translated ‘worship’.

i. Serving worship – (Gk. latreuo) (Heb. Abad)
The word means to serve and is occasionally translated as worship. This word is only used of our service to God and is better translated in English as ‘to serve’. It includes all we do for God – giving, forgiving others, helping, praise, thanksgiving, kneeling, and bowing.

ii. Submission worship – (Gk. Proskenuo) (Heb. Shacah)
From the Greek ‘pros’ (towards) and ‘kuneo’ (to kiss)

My personal definition for worship would be my ongoing willingness to submit my life to the supremacy of God Almighty
 
iii. Other important words – The most common praise and worship words in the Bible and their frequency of use are:
 

iv.  Praise – Praise is head and shoulders above the rest of the words and it is readily incorporated into songs.

Definition of ‘PRAISE’: To extol the attributes (of God)

Praise has 2 parts:

God’s attributes include: love, forgiveness, justice, provider etc.

God’s works are two-fold: creation and redemption.

NB: Since Redemption is of immense importance to the Christian, and then we should expect our songs to include much about redemption

Other Themes:

WHAT ARE SONGWRITERS WRITING?

An analysis of 22 recent CD’s from major publishers, major ministries, churches in USA and Australia:

Self focus songs far out number God-focused songs

WHAT NEEDS TO BE DONE?

More songs on central themes like: Praise songs (God’s attributes), Redemption songs, New Creation songs, Presence and Glory of God, Holy Spirit, Prayer.

CONCLUSION

There is a special deposit of God’s grace that is released as we lift up the name of Jesus Christ in our personal and especially in corporate worship. We must remember at all times that JESUS CHRIST is the One that is lifted up and exalted. It’s not the individual, congregation, music, song, etc. It is Jesus, and He alone!!!

As we do, He will draw all man unto Himself. He does the drawing i.e. the magnetism is all in Him.  You and I ensure that the environment of worship is ready for the King of Glory to inhabit. The room of our heart has to be clean and ready.  His presence is an indication that He is ‘in the house’!

©2002 Tim Uluirewa