May 6, 2025
Students in East Texas Baptist University’s Worship Music course recently completed a comprehensive research project examining the content of the most-sung worship songs in churches across the country. By analyzing the Christian Copyright Licensing International (CCLI) Top 100 songs for fall 2024, students explored what theological themes are shaping congregational worship today.
Under the guidance of Associate Professor of Worship Leadership Dr. Chris Smith, the students used a qualitative content analysis method and grouped their research into five areas: figurative and romantic language, vertical vs. horizontal worship, Trinitarian references, themes of social justice and lament, and Gospel content. The findings shed light on the deeper messages of popular worship music.
“This was an exciting and worthwhile assignment, and the results should help inform how we plan and lead worship,” Dr. Smith said. “Our God is great and vast, and all of His deeds and attributes should be reflected in our worship, not just the parts that we like and make us feel good. Studies such as this should help us reflect and grow in our worship, to ensure that the holy and triune God and His redemptive work on the cross are always front and center.”
Encouragingly, only a small number of songs used overly romantic or sentimental language. A balanced mix of vertical (sung directly to God) and horizontal (sung about God) songs was also found. However, the research revealed a noticeable lack of Trinitarian language and a surprising absence of lament or themes of social justice—both of which are prevalent in Scripture. Perhaps most significantly, nearly half of the songs contained no explicit reference to the Gospel story of Jesus’ death, burial, and resurrection.
The study emphasized the responsibility of churches, worship leaders, and songwriters to ensure their music reflects a full and faithful expression of Christian doctrine, and allowed students at ETBU to walk away challenged to think critically beyond artists and song titles.
“After several weeks of putting songs under the microscope, the students’ perspective on worship music takes a dramatic shift,” Dr. Smith continued. “They begin to value substance over style, and they are no longer easily influenced by the current trends of the genre. This leads to rethinking why they choose certain songs for on-campus chapel services and in their own congregations.”
The full student research article is available upon request. For more information about the Worship Studies program at ETBU, visit www.etbu.edu/worshipstudies.