A sign advertising a local church’s worship service read “Two DYNAMIC Worship Services.” While it is not uncommon nowadays to see such words used to describe a worship service, should such even be a consideration for our worship to God?

Does God want “dynamic worship” or does He seek spiritual and true worship?

The Lord directly answers this question when He says, “But the hour is coming and now is, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth; for the Father is seeking such to worship Him. God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth” (John 4:23-24).

“Dynamic worship” is obviously being advertised in contrast or comparison to some other kind of worship. Typically, those who desire “dynamic worship” are tired of what they consider boring, dull or “old-fashioned” worship. They want energetic, contemporary worship that they can relate to. They want exhilarating worship that is in keeping with the times. They want emotion filled worship that appeals to them. They want uplifting worship that makes them feel good. So, local churches are making changes to provide such worship for their worshipers. The problem with this is two-fold.

First, such worship is worshiper-oriented, not God-oriented. Is not our worship for God and to God? Why then are we innovating our worship to God to meet the desires of the worshiper? Should not the worshiper’s concern be for the desires of God (cf. 1 Thess. 4:1)? Are not God’s ways of worship satisfying enough for us? Are not the approved methods of worship demonstrated by the first century Christians good enough for us? Are we not to imitate them (cf. 1 Cor. 11:1)?

Second, such worship might engage a man’s spirit, but it fails in regard to truth. Is not God’s word truth (John 17:17)? Should not God’s word be our authority in all spiritual matters, to include worship (cf. Col. 3:16-17)? Should not our worship then resemble and conform to first century worship? It can be confirmed that apostolic worship was approved worship, spiritual worship and truthful worship (cf. Acts 2:42; 20:7; 1 Cor. 1:21; 11:23-27; 16:1-2; Eph. 5:19). Can we prove that “dynamic” worship rises to that mark established by the Lord (1 Thess. 5:21)?

You see, we can have spiritual and truthful worship that is “dynamic.” However, not all “dynamic worship” is in spirit and truth (cf. Rom. 8:8). The dynamics of worship are not based on externals that appeal to the flesh. The dynamics of worship are based on internals that appeal to the spirit and truth. Thus, when worshipers emphasize spirit and truth in their hearts, the dynamics will be where God expects them to be.

Most who desire “dynamic worship” would argue that their worship is in spirit and in truth. If such is true, then why not simply advertise your worship as such? Can there be any higher type of worship than true worship?