The Presence of God in Worship—What Many of Us Miss

In many years of leading worship, there have been a few theological conversations that have repeatedly surfaced. Lately, there have been numerous articles raising problems within “contemporary” worship. I have read many of these articles and have been saddened by the lack of depth and blanket statements made with these reactionary opinions. I have spent the last year reflecting on my years in worship leadership, and what I have learned and experienced along the way. My hope in writing on subjects pertaining to worship is to encourage the church and its leaders.

One of the common conversations that has circulated is around the presence of God. There are countless songs that describe God’s presence, invite and invoke his presence, and celebrate when he “shows up.” On occasion, I would receive emails from people in the church asking me to stop singing these songs because, “Don’t you know that he is God and he is already everywhere?”

Yes, I do know that. Recently, another article surfaced from Pastor Jared C. Wilson that criticized worship leaders for their use of presence language, among other phrases that worship leaders often say. You can read the article here: “10 Things Worship Leaders Need to Stop Saying.”

I don’t know Jared Wilson, and my purpose in writing this is not to start a debate or argument. I know what Wilson is trying to say with his criticism of how worship leaders communicate the presence of God, but I think it would be helpful to further unpack what worship leaders are trying to say.

I am no theologian and don’t presume to be an expert. Much of what Wilson says is true, and I agree that there are inherent words and phrases that many worship leaders tend to use that aren’t always helpful to those they are leading. However, I do want to share some thoughts in order to give a better understanding of God’s presence, and why these songs and statements are actually quite accurate and important.

Rather than criticize worship leaders, let’s seek to understand and encourage their heart for both invoking and celebrating the presence of God.

While worship leaders’ use of presence language may be overused and at times borderline voracious, it is absolutely correct theologically (whether the worship leader realizes it or not). A very important aspect of gathered worship is the experience that comes when God inhabits the praises of his people. If we ceased singing songs that invited and celebrated God’s presence, we would be at danger of limiting the very purpose of corporate worship.

When we consider God’s presence, we must start by distinguishing two types of God’s presence. The first type is omnipresence, or what I call God’s transcendent presence. This presence of God is a foundation of Christian belief; that God is everywhere-present at all times. He is Emmanuel; God with us.

The second type of presence that needs to be understood and distinguished is often called God’s manifest presence, or his immanent presence. Immanent presence, simply put, is when God draws near to his creation. It is God, the Holy Spirit, choosing to reveal his presence at one place and at one time in such a way that leads to a divine revelation of his goodness, mercy, love and compassion.

There is a necessary difference between saying, “God is everywhere,” and saying, “God is here.” Both realities of his presence help us to understand a God who is all knowing and all powerful, yet is accessible and draws near to his creation. We must embrace God in both his transcendence and his immanence, recognizing that he is near and far. As C.S. Lewis put it in The Problem of Pain, “God is both further from us, and nearer to us than any other being.”