Comparing Traditional Worship With Prophetic Worship

Here is a chart that outlines the differences between traditional worship and prophetic worship. By "traditional" worship, I am referring to all of our churches and denominations - every one of us have traditions that dictate how we do things over the years. The traditions themselves are not wrong - it is only when we put our traditions above the presence of God that they hold us back.

Look at this short discussion on: Traditions vs Traditionalism 

Prophetic Worship is any worship where we allow God to speak back into our personal lives, or in the Church. When His voice and will are made known, and His presence is prioritized - that is prophetic worship.

Traditional Worship	Prophetic Worship
1. Worship is defined by what we are doing: our various expressions and forms of worship etc. Many feel that praise is defined by fast songs and worship by slow songs.	Worship is defined by what the Lord is doing. Praise includes all our expressions of what He has done, is doing and is going to do. Worship is our response to His manifest presence.
2. The worship leader is in control.	The worship leader leads, but is also a door keeper and facilitator. The Holy Spirit is primarily the worship leader—the one directing and in control of the service.
3. A small number—those on the platform (pastors, singers, musicians, etc.), function as ministers in the service.	The whole congregation is a holy, royal, priesthood. Each one is responsible for participating in the service and ministering to the Lord.
4. There are definite time limits on the worship service.	No time limits. Worship takes as long as the Holy Spirit directs.
5. The songs/hymns are regarded as being less important in the overall service than the preaching of the word.	The songs/hymns and whole worship time are regarded as having equal importance with the preaching.
6. Our denomination determines the way we worship and has definite ideas about worship forms.	The word of God is our guide and foundation for worship structure and forms.
7. Our worship may be determined and greatly influenced by our culture.	Our nation of birth and/or residence is not our focus. We belong to a new nation—the Kingdom of God, where the standard for appropriate worship is determined by the King. Worship is made suitable for the King and not necessarily the culture.
8. There is an emphasis on the music. Music and all art forms are used for performance, entertainment and accompaniment. There is art for art’s sake. Any art forms used in worship such as music are an end unto themselves. Success is measured by excellence in the art form.	There is an emphasis on the manifest presence of God. Music and all art forms are for ministry to God and His people. The goal is the glory of God. All art forms must be ministered in a prophetic sense. They are a means to an end. Success is measured by the presence of God and His work in our lives.
9. There is little or no change of music styles and repertoire over the years.	The music and songs we sing are seen as an ongoing reinforcement of the things that the Lord is showing us, therefore they are continually changing.
10. In order for the congregation to participate in worship they do not need to mature. Nothing more is required of the worship leader and team than to be artists.	Prophetic worship is only possible with a congregation that continues to mature and grow in the likeness of Christ. The worship leader and team are required to be students of the presence of God and to carry a prophetic anointing on their lives.
11. Worship is an individual experience.	Worship does not stop at being an individual experience, it must include the corporate journey.
12. There is little or no expectation of hearing God's voice today in the worship service. The majority of the direction of our spiritual communication is from "man to God."	The hearing of God's voice for today is one of the primary objectives of prophetic worship. There is openness for "two-way" or reciprocal communication with God, i.e. man to God and God to man.