Churches with contemporary worship

What is contemporary Christian worship?

Contemporary Christian worship — sometimes called "praise and worship," "modern worship," or simply "worship music" in church contexts — refers to a style of corporate singing that emerged in the 1970s and exploded globally in the 1990s and 2000s. It is characterized by:

• Live bands — electric guitars, drums, bass, keyboard/piano, and often multiple vocalists replace or supplement the traditional pipe organ and choir
• Projected lyrics — words displayed on screens rather than printed in hymnals
• Modern song structures — verse/chorus/bridge rather than traditional stanza/refrain forms
• Repetition — contemporary worship songs often repeat choruses and bridges multiple times, creating a meditative or emotionally intense effect
• Congregational participation — raised hands, closed eyes, and visible emotional engagement are common and accepted
• A "set" format — a worship leader guides the congregation through 3–5 songs as a continuous musical experience rather than discrete hymn selections

The major contemporary worship movements

Hillsong Church

Based in Sydney, Australia, Hillsong Church has produced some of the most widely sung worship music in the world. Songs like "Shout to the Lord," "Mighty to Save," "Oceans," and "What a Beautiful Name" are sung in tens of thousands of churches globally. Hillsong UNITED and Hillsong Worship are among the most-streamed Christian music acts of the last 20 years. Hillsong has had campuses in several U.S. cities, though the brand has contracted significantly after the 2022 scandals involving Hillsong NYC's pastor.

Bethel Music

Bethel Church in Redding, California, has produced a generation of worship leaders and songs ("Reckless Love," "Goodness of God," "Raise a Hallelujah") through its Bethel Music collective. Bethel is charismatic and emphasizes supernatural healing, prophetic gifts, and experiential encounters with God. Its music is sung widely across charismatic and non-denominational churches.

Elevation Worship

The worship ministry of Elevation Church (Charlotte, NC) has produced massively popular songs including "O Come to the Altar," "Do It Again," "Graves into Gardens," and "The Blessing." Elevation Worship is one of the most streamed Christian music entities in the world and is heard in countless evangelical churches regardless of denominational affiliation.

Passion / Louie Giglio

The Passion conferences, founded by Louie Giglio in Atlanta, have shaped the worship preferences of millions of college students and young adults since the late 1990s. Artists including Chris Tomlin, David Crowder, Matt Redman, Kristian Stanfill, and Melodie Malone have all been associated with Passion. Songs like "How Great Is Our God," "Here I Am to Worship," and "10,000 Reasons" are global worship standards.

Maverick City Music

One of the most significant recent developments in contemporary worship, Maverick City Music is a multiethnic collective known for spontaneous, improvised worship, gospel influences, and a diverse roster of artists. Albums like Maverick City Vol. 1–3 and collaborations with Kirk Franklin have brought a new sound and a more diverse aesthetic to contemporary evangelical worship.

Traditional vs. contemporary worship: the "worship war"

The shift from traditional (hymns, organs, choirs) to contemporary worship was not without conflict. Many congregations in the 1980s and 90s split over worship style — the so-called "worship wars." Today, most churches have settled into one of several approaches:

• Fully contemporary: Only modern worship music; praise band; no hymnals. Most megachurches and non-denominational churches.
• Blended: A mix of traditional hymns and contemporary songs, sometimes with both organ and band. Common in mainline Protestant and moderate evangelical churches.
• Traditional: Hymnals, organ or piano, choir, liturgical music. Catholic, Lutheran, Episcopal, and traditional Baptist churches often maintain this approach.
• "Ancient-future" or liturgical-contemporary: A growing movement that pairs ancient liturgical forms (creeds, responsive readings, fixed prayers) with contemporary musical styles — trying to recover depth without sacrificing accessibility.

Neither style is theologically superior. The quality of the music, the theological content of the lyrics, and the heart posture of the congregation matter more than whether a church uses organs or electric guitars.

How to evaluate a church's worship

When visiting a church with contemporary worship, look beyond the production quality:

• Lyrics: Are the songs doctrinally substantive? Songs that are mostly about emotional experience without theological content can create shallow worship over time. Look for songs that teach and declare truth about God.
• Congregational participation: Is the congregation actually singing, or watching a performance? A worship team that overwhelms the congregation's voice may be prioritizing performance over participation.
• The role of Scripture: Does worship flow into preaching from the Bible? Contemporary worship that replaces biblical teaching rather than preparing the congregation for it is a warning sign.
• Theology of the producing church: Some popular worship artists come from churches with controversial theological positions. It's worth knowing the source of the music you're singing.

Frequently asked questions

Is contemporary worship biblically supported?

Yes. Psalm 149:3 ("Let them praise his name with dancing, making melody to him with tambourine and lyre") and Psalm 150 call for a wide range of instruments and expressive worship. The New Testament calls for "psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs" (Colossians 3:16) — a broad category. The specific instruments and musical styles are culturally conditioned, not theologically fixed.

What if I prefer traditional hymns?

Traditional hymn-singing congregations absolutely still exist and are not dying out — they're simply less visible than contemporary megachurches. Look for Lutheran, Episcopal, traditional Baptist, and Presbyterian churches, which tend to maintain stronger hymn cultures. Reformed and confessional Presbyterian churches often sing exclusively from Psalters. Many people who grew up with contemporary worship discover the theological richness of the hymn tradition later in their faith journey.