The role of emotions in worship music

One of our recent Worship Demos brought up a good ethical question.

This particular Demo featured the song "Holy Forever" by Bethel Music and Jenn Johnson. The song itself is fairly dramatic (for reference, the music video was filmed in the fog-filled redwood forest), and the violin part I played only added to the drama, with my part focusing on how to build and release tension in a song.

Which brings up a good question: should we try to build tension (or any feeling, for that matter) in worship music? In creating a certain feeling, are we manipulating worshippers into having a manufactured emotional experience? Or is it simply inviting them into a certain posture of worship? And does manufacturing emotion ultimately distract people from connecting with God? Could making our own emotional statement get in the way of what God is trying to say in a moment?

Let me be clear on this—emotions aren't bad. God gave us emotions with purpose, and He uses them gloriously. Consequently, I believe emotions must have some place in worship music.

But I've certainly been in church worship services where I've thought, "It feels like the musicians are trying to make me feel a certain emotion." It feels forced. It feels controlling. And, quite frankly, it feels manipulative. So my soul resists it, because my heart hates feeling strong-armed into a forced emotional state—even when it's done by a well-meaning worship band.

So perhaps a better question is this: as worship musicians, how can we be responsible stewards of listeners' emotions?

How can we invite worshippers without manipulating them?

How do we cultivate vulnerability without forcing it?

And how can we partner with what the Holy Spirit is doing?

I'm not sure I have answers to all these questions yet, but I'd love to hear your thoughts on this topic. Feel free to reach out to us and let us know what you think.

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