Navigating our fast-paced and ever-changing worship culture requires carefully balancing relevancy and orthodoxy. Relevancy speaks to what is appropriate for the current time or circumstance, while orthodoxy anchors us in the unchanging foundational beliefs of Christianity.

Rather than focusing solely on outward expressions of worship, let’s take a heart-level approach. After all, what’s happening in our hearts as worship leaders matters most. As Proverbs 4:23 reminds us, “Above all else, watch over your heart, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it.” With that in mind, let’s start with some definitions.

What Is a Trend?

A trend is a prevailing tendency or inclination—what’s popular or “in” at a certain time. Trends aren’t inherently good or bad; they simply exist. Think about platform Crocs, cargo pants, or Heelies. Love them or hate them, they’re trends.

When it comes to worship, trends impact how we lead. In our current worship culture, we’re seeing:

• A surge in new worship music is being written.
• A greater platform for women leading worship.
• The younger generation has a strong voice.
• A continued emphasis on contemporary full-band worship.
• The increasing role of visual experiences—stage design, lighting, slides.
• The pressure to be creative.
• The pressure of the clock.

All of this can feel overwhelming. Do these trends excite you? Stress you out? Make you critical? It’s natural to have strong opinions, but worship trends have always been controversial.

I was surfing the web and found this Matt Redman article containing this quote from an American pastor critiquing new worship music:

“There are several reasons for opposing it. One, it’s too new. Two, it’s often worldly. … The new Christian music is not as pleasant as the more established style. Because there are so many new songs, you can’t learn them all. It puts too much emphasis on instrumental music rather than godly lyrics. This new music creates disturbances making people act indecently and disorderly. The preceding generation got along without it. It’s a money-making scheme, and some of these new music upstarts are lewd and loose.”

Sounds familiar, right? The catch? This quote is from 1723—criticizing Isaac Watts, the writer of Joy to the World, When I Survey the Wondrous Cross, and Our God, Our Help in Ages Past.

Worship is no stranger to critique. Trends change, but the real question is: How do we follow the Spirit in an ever-changing culture? How do we sift through the noise, hype, comparison, and fear? How do we continue to innovate and create while grounding ourselves in orthodoxy?

What Does It Mean to Be Led by the Spirit?

Paul addresses this beautifully in Galatians. This book has been called “the charter of Christian liberty,” reminding us that God calls us out of legalism into freedom—because He has given us His Spirit to guide us. Galatians 5:16-17 says:

“Walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. For the flesh desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the flesh. They are in conflict with each other, so that you are not to do whatever you want.”

Being led by the Spirit is a moment-by-moment, step-by-step reliance on Him for everything—not just some things. I think of my dog, Everett. When I take him for a walk, I’m the one guiding him. I make sure he stays on the sidewalk, avoids cars, and doesn’t step on broken glass. He doesn’t always perceive my leadership, but by staying close to me, he remains safe and free.

In the same way, when we walk by the Spirit, we’re guided by someone greater than our own desires. We don’t get lost chasing trends or clinging to our own ways. Where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.

The Contrast: Acts of the Flesh vs. Fruit of the Spirit

Galatians 5:19-21 describes the acts of the flesh:

“Sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like.”

Paul says these acts are obvious. Have we seen jealousy in worship ministry? Have we envied churches with bigger budgets, “better” production, or higher attendance? Have we ever dismissed a church’s worship as “too flashy” or “not gospel-centered enough” out of resentment?

What about selfish ambition? When we’re leading, designing, or songwriting, who is it truly for? Are we reluctant to give others opportunities because we fear losing our platform?

Worship leadership is a sacred responsibility. We’re dealing with the glory of God. As ministry leaders, we were made to reflect His glory—not to grasp for it ourselves.

I love the example of Corrie Ten Boom. Whenever she received a compliment, she imagined it as a flower. At the end of the day, she would gather all her flowers and offer them back to God. What a beautiful way to posture our hearts in worship leadership.

Galatians 5:22-23 contrasts the acts of the flesh with the fruit of the Spirit:

“The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.”

You can feel the difference as you read that. The acts of the flesh bring weight and division. The fruit of the Spirit brings life. When we are led by the Spirit, all these qualities show up—not just one or two. This is how we know we’re walking with Him.

Practical Steps to Be Led by the Spirit, Not Trends

Seek After God’s Heart.

• Being in ministry doesn’t automatically mean we’re close to God.
• Proximity doesn’t equal intimacy—I can stand next to you and not know you.
• Prioritize personal time in the Word and in prayer. Our leadership flows from our relationship with Him.

Remember That God Wants a Lover, Not a Laborer.

• Ministry can make us feel like we’re constantly “doing” for God, but He wants our hearts more than our work.
• A speaker at a recent retreat shared how she sought God for clarity on an upcoming talk and felt Him say, “I want a lover, not a laborer. A friend, not a servant. I’m your Father.”
• Be still and know that He is God. We are never called to be busy—only to abide in Him.

Make Decisions Through the Lens of the Spirit’s Fruit.

• Ask yourself: Is this decision rooted in love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control?
• If not, it might be driven by fear, pride, comparison, or ambition instead.

Hold Trends Loosely, but Hold Orthodoxy Firmly.

• Trends come and go. They can be useful tools, but they aren’t our foundation.
• Stay rooted in Scripture and the unchanging truth of the gospel.

Worship ministry will always evolve, and trends will always shift. But our call remains the same: to lead with hearts fully surrendered to the Spirit. May we be leaders who are more captivated by God’s presence than by cultural trends—leaders who walk in step with the Spirit, bearing fruit that brings life to His Church.

Let’s walk in love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. And let’s lead in a way that reflects the unchanging glory of our God.