Imliwapang Longchari, director, Sinai Ministry speaking during the ‘praise and worship’ consultation at DABA main church in Duncan Basti on May 11.
Morung Express News
Dimapur | May 13
Churches in Nagaland have been introduced to contemporary worship music for quite some time now. Over the years, the contemporary worship music or ‘praise and worship’ has made a big impact among the younger generation. Emphasis on a personal relationship with God, free expression and a style suited to the musical taste of the current generation, ‘praise and worship’ have proven successful in many church ministries.
However, the shift towards contemporary worship music has been a source of significant debate in many churches. It is argued that ‘praise and worship’ is only an imitation of western popular music that differs from traditional hymnody.
Understanding the notable function of ‘praise and worship’ in the church and at the same time addressing some of the debatable issues, the Dimapur Ao Baptist Church (DABA) Youth Ministry conducted a ‘praise and worship’ consultation on May 11 (Saturday) at the main church in Duncan Basti.
Speaking on the ‘scenario of praise and worship in Nagaland,’ Imliwapang Longchari, director, Sinai Ministry said, “We are able to successfully reproduce the same sounds of the contemporary worship that we hear from other international worship singers and bands, but minus the spirit.”
Longchari said that one of the dangers in the pursuit of any calling and gifting in God’s ministry is to turn it into a profession. “The flipside of being more professional is that we are focusing more on the technicalities of worship rather than the heart of worship, all the secular values such as perfectionism, competition, showmanship and popular appeals smuggle into something that is scared in the first place.”
Quoting another worship leader, Longchari states, “We should spend more time preparing (praying, personal worship/devotion, meditation in the word) rather than planning too much.”
Pointing out some of the mistakes made in the ‘praise and worship’ band or team, Longchari said that today the criteria of selection into a worship team are more on ability than calling. In churches, we also witness, too much of tussle between young and old, which overshadow or lead to missing the real to true worship. Unfortunately, most of the praise and worship has become people-centric rather than God-centric. That is why we lack joy, deliverance, freedom, blessings in the church. Sadly, many of us have reached the familiarity point.
“Our worship has become stagnant, we seem not to give way to creativity of God, but it is stuck where we have started by limiting our self with 30 minutes of list of songs we have selected to sing for a particular service. However, it does not mean that, we do not have any chance of growing,” Longchari added.
Presenting a talk on ‘scenario of praise and worship in Ao area,’ Bendangsenba, Release Worship Team stated that in the local churches, specifically in the Ao churches, praise and worship has began to take a strong hold and plays a very significant role in the youth worship service in general context. Many youths have accepted this as a moment where they communicate with God through music and song.
However, he said that the impact of praise and worship among the older folks of the Ao congregation is a thing to ponder upon. Despite the fact that, it is been years since we were introduced to praise and worship, there are still some parts of the congregation who in their traditional mindset opines that it is nothing but a disturbance and futile piece of some creative master minds which has no connection with the ongoing traditional services.
Nonetheless, there has been a long unhurried growth and slowly. Groups of the aged congregations are beginning to acknowledge and realise the significance of praise and worship in the church services and taking part in the worship much to the encouragement of the youths.
In order to create an environment of appreciative praise and worship, Bendang suggested of conducting praise and worship workshops or seminars for the church in general and selection of appropriate and suitable songs and music taking into consideration the whole congregation. He also added’ “when it comes to worship, we flow as the spirit leads, no doubt. However, one should keep in mind the time limit and make use of it sincerely.”
Others who spoke during the consultation were Lanuwapang Jamir (how to prepare for leading praise and worship); Imli Amri (organizing & preparing for praise and worship practice); Samuel Jamir (Worship leader outside the church). Mozen Aier gave the critical appreciation. The moderators for the consultation were Dr. Lima Pongen and Ajung.
