1. Worship Languages
Gordon MacDonald in Forging A Real World Faith speaks of six languages that worshippers speak.

2. The Aesthetic Instinct
Worship Language:
The Aesthetic Instinct
Agenda: Majesty
Example: David
Aesthetes enter worship solemnly and love to kneel in the presence of the God of majesty

3. The Experiential Instinct
Worship Language:
The Experiential Instinct
Agenda: Joy
Example: Peter
Experientialists are big hearted and seize any opportunity to meet with God

4. The Activist Instinct Agenda: Achievement Example: Moses
Worship Language:
The Activist Instinct
Agenda: Achievement
Example: Moses
Activists like to be exhausted as they mobilise people to do something constructive

5. The Contemplative Instinct Example: John the Baptist
Worship Language:
The Contemplative Instinct
Agenda: Listening
Example: John the Baptist
Contemplatives love to withdraw to meet with God in silence and contemplation

6. Students see heaven as a bible study with God as the discussion leader
Worship Language:
The Student Instinct
Agenda: Truth
Example: Paul
Students see heaven as a bible study with God as the discussion leader

7. The Relational Instinct
Worship Language:
The Relational Instinct
Agenda: Love
Example: Barnabas
Relationists believe God is most heard when people are engaged in good relationships

8. Worship Languages 1. The Aesthetic Instinct
2. The Experiential Instinct
3. The Activist Instinct
4. The Contemplative Instinct
5. The Student Instinct
6. The Relational Instinct

9. Worship Languages Each of us will be inclined to one or two instincts
We will be curious about two others
We wonder what value there is in the others

10. Worship Languages Jesus Balanced All Six Styles:
Contemplative and Activist
Relationist and Student
Experientialist and Aesthetic

11. Worship Languages Implications
Maturity in faith comes when we become conversant in all six languages.
Worship leaders must ensure worship caters for all styles and not just their own style