For 20 years, Rick Muchow, worship leader of Saddleback Church in Lake Forest, Calif., has shared the platform with Rick Warren. While others might have wilted under the intensity of this experience, Muchow has thrived.
In Richmond to lead the worship portions of the recent 21-C Conference held Feb. 2-3, Muchow shared what he has learned about worship in breakout sessions.
Being a part of a worship experience led by Muchow is exciting, uplifting, encouraging, inspiring—and aerobic. He acknowledges the music he writes and leads doesn't appeal to everyone, but he and Warren decided years ago to pattern Saddleback's songs after the music being played on southern California's most popular radio stations. Consequently, the music has a distinct light rock beat provided by drums and electric guitars. The words of the songs express the full range of the biblical message and focus on the hope Christians have in Jesus Christ.
Rick Muchow
Although Muchow's insights and experience have been shared for years with those who attend Saddleback's conferences, they are now also available in print. The Worship Answer Book provides answers to 54 questions Muchow has been most frequently asked by people around the world. Although he deals with questions about mechanics (“How loud is too loud?”) most of the book deals with the deeper issues of what constitutes true worship and how worship leaders can prepare themselves for the service both musically and spiritually.
Citing numerous scripture references in providing his answers, Muchow has intentionally sought to make the book, above all, biblically and theologically sound. Muchow told the Herald, “I've found that most Christians care less about what the Bible says about worship than about what they like.” In that regard, he maintains that surrender is the very heart of worship. “Although actions can be a part of worship, it has much more to do with your perspective than what you are actually doing” (p. 44).
Not surprisingly, Muchow teaches that music can play a crucial role in corporate worship; but music should address different aspects of worship within a single worship experience. Using an acrostic as a teaching aid, he says music should make an IMPACT by: Inspiring Movement, Praise, Adoration and Commitment and then Tie it all together. “Worship is a beautiful, mysterious, life-altering thing, but even worship is not an end in itself.” Providing ample biblical evidence, Muchow sees worship as a means of glorifying God. Without becoming mired in minutia, he leads the reader through both a series of theological truths and practical aspects of a “how to” book.
Sharing Rick Warren's sentiments that God must value diversity because he made so many different kinds of each species, Muchow cites the need to be willing to change to meet needs. “At Saddleback, we have 24 worship services going on in a weekend,” he notes. Recognizing that people have different preferences, they have begun a variety of “venues” that seek to address the needs of differing groups. Among the venues offered is one for gospel music enthusiasts.
Another group finds the light rock music of their primary worship services too bland. For them, Saddleback offers “Overdrive.” In this service the music is so loud they issue earplugs!
Separate worship venues are offered for singles, for 20-somethings and for traditionalists. They even provide a worship service for those who prefer “island music!”
“You know, they are closing two roller coasters at Magic Mountain. We can never be willing to get stuck in a rut,” Muchow muses. Anyone who has spent time with him isn't concerned about Rick Muchow getting stuck in a rut!