Thoughts
on Webber’s Idea that Worship Does God’s Story
I am currently reading Ancient-Future Worship by Dr. Robert E
Webber who has passed away but whose legacy still lives on. This book, part of
the Ancient-Future series of books he has written, has been life-changing for
many people, particularly worship leaders in our modern culture who struggle
with presenting biblical worship to their congregations but also desire to see
a fresh movement of God in that worship. In the first chapter, Webber
introduces the idea of God’s story. He says that “worship does God’s story,” meaning that worship should present a narrative
of God’s biblical story with man, a story of the fall of man, the redeeming
grace of God, and the reconciliation of God’s people to himself. This story
must be present in each event of corporate worship.
I struggle, as a musician, with how
to incorporate this narrative through the music in the church. The fact is that
much of our modern church music neglects to present the story in its fullness.
Often, however, an over-emphasis is given to one part of the story, whether it
is God’s grace, the fall of man, or even reconciliation. All three must be
present in order to present the full story of God and his work among his
people. We must remember all three aspects of God’s story to present this
narrative accurately in worship. Without remember our fall, we cannot fully be
thankful for his grace; without remember his grace, the fall makes our very
existence seem hopeless; and without reconciliation, things are indeed
hopeless.
The full story of God must be
present in worship. We must not neglect to remember where we have come from in
worship but also see where we are going. When we keep this in mind, freshness
is always the result; worship will not lose its fresh perspective; and God will
be honored.
