Renewing Your Connection to God
Josh Baldwin on post-pandemic worship
The global pandemic reshaped many aspects of life, including how people worship. Josh Baldwin, contemporary Christian music artist, worship leader, and songwriter, talked with us about how worship has transformed post-pandemic and the fresh new ways it offers for us to engage our hearts and deepen our connections with God in this new season.
If we’re honest, we’d all probably like to forget the crazy world we lived in during the pandemic. It presented unprecedented challenges for churches and worship communities worldwide. In-person gatherings were halted, and many congregations had to quickly adapt to virtual worship. This shift placed a spotlight on the deep longing we had for community and corporate worship, a longing that became even more evident as restrictions began to lift.
Josh reflected on the initial return to in-person worship, noting the palpable hunger people had for gathering together. “Right out of the gate when we went back to traveling…you could feel people so ready to be in a corporate setting and worship together.” And our eagerness to reconnect in worship settings showed just how much corporate worship is a central part of the Christian faith.
Created for Worship
Josh observed that in many ways, the pandemic has deepened the emphasis on worship within the church. He notes that over the last decade or so, there has been a growing recognition of worship as not just a precursor to the sermon, but as a crucial aspect of the Christian experience.
“Growing up in it, the Word and the teaching was the reason we’re here, which is great. And I love that too, but I think there’s been an emphasis on actually coming together as a corporate body to just fix our eyes on Him and worship [God] together. This is what we were born for. This is why he created us.”
Worship is vital to your spiritual life!
This shift reflects a broader understanding of worship as central to the life of the church, rather than just a part of the service. Josh’s reflections suggest that the pandemic may have accelerated this trend, as people realized just how vital worship is to their spiritual lives, especially when faced with the isolation and challenges of the pandemic.
The Ease of Engagement
Interestingly, Josh finds that leading worship has, in some ways, become easier post-pandemic. He attributes this to the heightened awareness and appreciation for worship that many people developed during the pandemic. “It does feel a little bit easier in a lot of ways…I feel like it’s made it easier for people to receive and just jump in and engage more in worship.”
The pandemic stripped away distractions and brought people back to the basics of their faith. As the world slowed down, many believers found themselves more focused on what truly matters—worshipping God and connecting with Him on a deeper level. Josh suggested this renewed focus has carried over into the post-pandemic era, making worship a more accessible and meaningful experience for many.
The New Worship Landscape
While there have been positive shifts in worship, Josh also acknowledges the challenges that come with leading worship in a post-pandemic world. The pandemic has left lasting effects, and church attendance has been impacted. Studies show that overall church attendance has declined, but there is an increasing openness to spirituality and God among younger generations.
“It makes me feel like I need to be very intentional and aware of the songs and what we’re putting out, because for some people, this might be the only worship or Jesus that people get. Maybe they don’t want to go to church because of church drama…and we don’t want to be a part of that. But we do love Jesus.” Josh said.
This presents both a challenge and an opportunity for worship leaders. Josh suggests that worship music may be one of the few ways that people, particularly younger generations, are willing to engage with faith. “If music is one of the only things that they’re willing to say ‘yes’ to, then I want to be full of the Word and full of the Holy Spirit.” Josh said, “It’s why I love leading live—why I like doing worship albums and live worship.”
We need worship experiences that are accessible, deeply rooted in Scripture and in the presence of God.
Worship in a Changing Church
Worship engages people, particularly those who may be hesitant to attend traditional church services. Josh believes that live worship experiences and worship albums can serve as an entry point for many people who are seeking a connection with God but are unsure about the church. “I want that to be some of what they hear too…this is a corporate body going after the Lord.”
Worship is not just about music or services—it’s about creating spaces where people can encounter God in meaningful ways. Whether through live worship, recordings, or new forms of engagement, the focus remains the same: to lead people into the presence of God, where they can experience His love, grace, and power in their lives.
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