Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God. And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him. (Col. 3:16-17)

A thoroughly thought-provoking blog! I think you’re spot on in saying that Beethoven, Sufjan or Elderly Lady lead us to worship. Do you mean lead us to instant mini-worship as we praise God there and then? But I would also say that all these mini-worship sesh’s throughout the week should be that which leads us to the ‘very powerful…corporate worship’. I think the main challenge I find is that I turn up on Sunday morning into a privileged position (free from persecution, meeting with other believers, hearing God’s Word being preached etc. etc.) but I haven’t prepared myself at all. I’m expecting to go from zero to sixty in the time it takes me to go from sitting to standing. Our whole lives should of course be worship but more than that, they should be the fuel for our corporate worship. How awesome I imagine it is that as we come to sing God’s praises, we have already spent a whole week considering what we have to be thankful for and it is then that worship is the realest experience you can have.
I can’t think of who said it but there’s a quote along the lines of “Most Christians won’t preach heresy but most Christians will sing it.” (That’s a whole other discussion).
But I wonder could we adapt it to say that most Christians aren’t blatantly hypocritical until they open their mouths to sing on a Sunday morning? I know that’s often the case with me…Surely a sure way of guarding against this hypocrisy is living our lives in a way worthy of worship.
Hmmm…I’m getting carried away so I shall stop now!

I agree with all that you say (and ask). I also think there is something special about the making of music in expressing ourselves. Music reflects our creativity and of being made in the image of God and so the expression of worship in music & song must be pleasing to Him. Recently I’ve been coming round to the idea that corporate worship (praise/singing or whatever you want to call it) is perhaps the most important thing we do together (?controversial)

Small corner – sorry but you’ll def be on praise leading rota in July.

http://meinmysmallcorner.wordpress.com/2008/04/02/the-internet-failed-me/

Its defo on my to-do list! In the meantime I’m giving up singing praise.