Can Worship Be Entertainment?

Published: June 16, 2026

worship, singing — Photo by Cordell Kingsley on Unsplash

By Movieguide® Staff

Barry Meguiar, Founder and President of IgniteAmerica, wants the Church to reconsider what it’s actually doing when the congregation sings.

As worship music claims more real estate on mainstream television and streaming platforms, Meguiar is raising a pointed question: are churches singing to God, or just singing?

“The goal of worship is not emotional inspiration, but a deeper understanding of who God is,” said Meguiar. “When worship lyrics become centered more on personal feelings, self-empowerment or vague spirituality than on the truth of Scripture, churches risk shaping people with messages that sound uplifting but are disconnected from the Gospel.”

He recently gathered worship leaders and ministry leaders at his home for Likewise Ministries, pressing them toward authentic, God-centered worship. His challenge lands during a broader cultural moment: worship music is breaking through to mainstream audiences, and Meguiar wants the Church to hold the line on what that music is actually for.

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ABC’s AMERICAN IDOL leaned into that moment with its annual “Songs of Faith“ episode, which aired March 30 and drew wide attention. Contestants performed “Nothing But the Blood of Jesus,” “I Can Only Imagine” and “At the Cross,” with Carrie Underwood closing the night with “How Great Thou Art” — and viewers walked away describing it as spiritually impactful. For Meguiar, moments like these open the door to harder conversations about what worship really is and who it’s ultimately for.

“The songs churches sing, and the messages they emphasize shape how congregations understand the character and work of God,” Meguiar said. “Worship leaders are not simply musicians or performers. They are theological communicators helping the church express its faith through sung prayer.”

IgniteAmerica exists to “Move Everyone, Every Day, Closer to Jesus,” and Meguiar sees worship as central to that mission. Many people first encounter the Gospel in a church service, which makes what the congregation sings far from a secondary concern.

“Worship and evangelism are closely connected because God-focused worship not only strengthens believers in their faith but moves them to share it with others,” he said. “When churches create worship environments grounded in Scripture and centered on the truth of Christ, people encounter something far greater than emotion or excitement. They encounter the presence of God, compelling them to live out and share that faith.”

Through IgniteAmerica and Ignite NextGen, Meguiar has continued equipping the next generation of believers — including a recent guide helping Gen Z Christians use social media to share their faith, which Movieguide® covered earlier this year. The mission, whatever the platform, stays the same.

“Our clear message is that sharing your faith at every opportunity turns every day into an adventure and is what being a Christian is all about,” Meguiar said.

Meguiar is the third-generation president of Meguiar’s Car Wax, the top-selling car wax in the country, and hosted the television show CAR CRAZY for 18 years on Discovery Channel Networks globally. He has led lay ministries for the Assemblies of God — who named him their Layman of the Year — and received the National Religious Broadcasters’ Billy Graham Award, Moody Bible’s 1886 Legacy Award and an honorary doctorate from Northwest University.

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