This research project written by Naomi Barrett is a short investigation into 'The Future of Worship Music in an Age of Individualisation'. Using secondary findings online such as academia, books, articles, magazines, songs and YouTube videos, Naomi has complied this evidence to make an argument that Christian music has adapted to the secular world in many ways and this has had an impact on the worship songs produced and people worship experience.

 

Firstly, this paper defines what worship is, differentiating between the different types of songs found in the Christian repertoire. Secondly, this paper outlines the emergence of the Christian Music Industry, noting the journey of Christian music to reach this point of modern worship that it is at now. Lastly, through song analysis, this paper explores popular music trends of the simplification of lyrics to suit the consumer culture we live in and conform to the hit-making formula, linking this to Christian worship music and leading to question the CMI model altogether. As well as that, the shift from hymns to the worship leader has changed the way we worship by removing a sense of community that communal hymns brought, discussing how the celebrity worship leader model has pushed the sense of self in the church that has started with individualisation in society. This leads to the hope that churches will review their worship songs they are presenting to the church and check how the theology aligns biblically.