Have you seen it? At least heard it?
"The Blessing" by Kari Jobe and Chris Carnes has gone viral. The setting is mega-influencer Elevation Church, which helps. But honestly, if that song had been recorded in the middle of nowhere I still believe it would have taken the world by storm.
The original video has 12 million views in 2 months. There are other amazing versions, including The UK Blessing (2.6 million views) and The Symphonic Version from Passion City Church. I've seen a half dozen of these variations. Every one of them, well, blesses me.
I think there are some reasons for this, and as worshipers and worship leaders we can learn a few things from the craving this song seems to be satisfying.
1) People yearn to be blessed. I know, that's not rocket science. But still, we are often so busy producing that we forget to be a blessing. I wonder... could it be that those of us in leadership are leading so we can receive the blessing of people rather than be a blessing to people?
2) Good songs are good songs. The "amen" section of this song is as simple as can be. And as powerful. Listening to the writers on The Worship and Technology Podcast they described the song as if heaven just let a little bit of its song leak out for the earth. They talked about it with all humility, and I have to say... the song seems to me to have that kind of anointing. Still, they spent hours crafting the song. Several people. Many hours. Song writing is important.
3) Scripture speaks. The words of this song are saturated with words from the Bible and the two primary themes are blessing (from the Aaronic blessing in Numbers 6) and passing that blessing from generation to generation. These twin themes make for a mighty combination. What parent doesn't want God to bless their kid? I dare say agnostics and maybe even a few atheists would even affirm that!
4) Scripture speaks in context. For most of my life I've heard "The Lord Bless You and Keep You." I've conducted three different settings of it for all kinds of choirs. It has always been beautiful, but not this powerful. (Although Peter Lutkin's amen section and John Rutter's anthem are stunning!) But those were different settings for different days. This fresh setting is here just in time.
5) God is generous. The song dropped at the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic. The creation needed somewhere to go to reconnect with its Creator, and it was then that God gave this song to the writing team from Elevation... and to us all.
So my takeaways?
a) Be a blessing. Always and in all ways.
b) Use great songs.
c) Keep using the scriptures, and enculturate them.
d) Be thankful. We worship/serve an incredibly generous God!
So... what are your takeaways?
Monday, May 18, 2020
Monday, May 11, 2020
Serve the Distracted Worshiper
SQUIRREL!
My mind does that about 100 times an hour, and usually at about the same speed--in miles per hour.
I was never diagnosed with ADD or ADHD, but those weren't in vogue when I was in school. I can pay attention, it's just really hard for me. My mind spins.
While in East Africa a few years ago, I learned the Tanzanians refer to this as "the monkey in the mind."
I think I have a few monkeys, a dozen squirrels, and some other mammals running through my mind.
That must be why.
It's the only reason I can think of that I have worked for most of my ministry to serve the distracted worshiper. Reduce down time, change up the dynamics, adjust the pace, read with inflection, pray with clarity,
Minimize distractions.
A dear friend, Marshall Sanders, wrote an editorial for Creator Magazine when he was its owner/publisher. This was more than 25 years ago. He titled it "The Fragility of the Connectivity." Marshall is so creative! He talked about how important it is to remember that some people walk in to our worship gatherings hanging on by a thread. Worship planners and leaders serve them well when we make it easier for them to stay connected.
Get the room temperature right, he said. Declutter the platform. Eliminate typos.
Never have these encouragements meant so much as in this COVID-19 pandemic. People are worshiping from home. How can we remove distractions and maximize connection?
I've already mentioned a few. Here are 3 rather specific ones:
1) Vary what happens during the song/songs. This re-engages the listener/worshiper. You might do this by starting with just guitar or piano, adding other instruments, and then dropping them at the end. You could also share vocal leadership. Have different people lead different parts of the song. Certainly different songs can be led by different folks. Vary songs from quiet to epic. Use dynamics inside of songs. While streaming services, look into the camera as much as is appropriate. (Except when singing to our Triune God; he's not the eyes you're looking into on the other side of the camera.)
2) Consider the way things look. How tidy is the platform? Is it interesting but not cluttered? Make sure those leading are wearing clothes that don't call attention to themselves--modest, simple, muted colors. Pay attention to what the professionals wear--like TV newscasters. For the most part, they aren't trying to make a fashion statement. (Except for Derby Day, perhaps?) They want you to listen to their voice and watch their face. How much more important in our worship leading! This also has to do with the camera angle, or angles if you have more than one camera. Understand what lead room and head room mean.
3) If you are able to provide lyrics, ensure they make sense. If you don't have a compelling reason not to, include punctuation. It really reduces confusion. We use no more than 2 lines of text at a time. (Used to be 4.) The font should be sans serif. We really like the font created by the folks at CMG (Church Motion Graphics). It should be big enough to see but not big enough to intrude on the screen. If at all possible, the line breaks should coordinate with the music. (Remember, we're eliminating distractions.) And for the "page breaks" this is even more important.
Those are excruciatingly practical. I'd imagine some of you are wondering if it really matters.
It does. People you've never discipled as worshipers are now watching your services. Men, women, boys and girls that never paid much attention are now dialed in. Even more, those who have become estranged from the church or never gave Her a second thought are now clicking to see more. To see you.
How will you serve the distracted worshiper? I implore you to help them pay attention. It could be the way God uses you to reach them. Let's serve them well!
My mind does that about 100 times an hour, and usually at about the same speed--in miles per hour.
I was never diagnosed with ADD or ADHD, but those weren't in vogue when I was in school. I can pay attention, it's just really hard for me. My mind spins.
While in East Africa a few years ago, I learned the Tanzanians refer to this as "the monkey in the mind."
I think I have a few monkeys, a dozen squirrels, and some other mammals running through my mind.
That must be why.
It's the only reason I can think of that I have worked for most of my ministry to serve the distracted worshiper. Reduce down time, change up the dynamics, adjust the pace, read with inflection, pray with clarity,
Minimize distractions.
A dear friend, Marshall Sanders, wrote an editorial for Creator Magazine when he was its owner/publisher. This was more than 25 years ago. He titled it "The Fragility of the Connectivity." Marshall is so creative! He talked about how important it is to remember that some people walk in to our worship gatherings hanging on by a thread. Worship planners and leaders serve them well when we make it easier for them to stay connected.
Get the room temperature right, he said. Declutter the platform. Eliminate typos.
Never have these encouragements meant so much as in this COVID-19 pandemic. People are worshiping from home. How can we remove distractions and maximize connection?
I've already mentioned a few. Here are 3 rather specific ones:
1) Vary what happens during the song/songs. This re-engages the listener/worshiper. You might do this by starting with just guitar or piano, adding other instruments, and then dropping them at the end. You could also share vocal leadership. Have different people lead different parts of the song. Certainly different songs can be led by different folks. Vary songs from quiet to epic. Use dynamics inside of songs. While streaming services, look into the camera as much as is appropriate. (Except when singing to our Triune God; he's not the eyes you're looking into on the other side of the camera.)
2) Consider the way things look. How tidy is the platform? Is it interesting but not cluttered? Make sure those leading are wearing clothes that don't call attention to themselves--modest, simple, muted colors. Pay attention to what the professionals wear--like TV newscasters. For the most part, they aren't trying to make a fashion statement. (Except for Derby Day, perhaps?) They want you to listen to their voice and watch their face. How much more important in our worship leading! This also has to do with the camera angle, or angles if you have more than one camera. Understand what lead room and head room mean.
3) If you are able to provide lyrics, ensure they make sense. If you don't have a compelling reason not to, include punctuation. It really reduces confusion. We use no more than 2 lines of text at a time. (Used to be 4.) The font should be sans serif. We really like the font created by the folks at CMG (Church Motion Graphics). It should be big enough to see but not big enough to intrude on the screen. If at all possible, the line breaks should coordinate with the music. (Remember, we're eliminating distractions.) And for the "page breaks" this is even more important.
Those are excruciatingly practical. I'd imagine some of you are wondering if it really matters.
It does. People you've never discipled as worshipers are now watching your services. Men, women, boys and girls that never paid much attention are now dialed in. Even more, those who have become estranged from the church or never gave Her a second thought are now clicking to see more. To see you.
How will you serve the distracted worshiper? I implore you to help them pay attention. It could be the way God uses you to reach them. Let's serve them well!
Monday, May 4, 2020
3 Learnings from Leading Worship in an Empty Room
In March and April of 2020, most of us have been leading worship for an online (only) congregation. It appears this will, for many, stretch into May. I've been standing in front of congregations for nearly 30 years, trying to help them sing, to worship. Counting morning, evening, mid-week, and special/multiple services, that probably means I've led worship well over 5,000 times.
That didn't prepare me for the empty room.
This has been so much harder on many than on me--like my cousin, who is a medical professional in New York City. But still, it's hard.
And I've learned a lot.
These three stand out as top of the list.
1) Private worship matters.
2) Preparation matters.
3) People matter.
So none of those are new for you either?
But my goodness... I know them so much more deeply now!
First, private worship matters. If I cannot worship Jesus alone, and be completely comfortable with it, there is no way I can authentically worship Jesus on the platform with others and do it well. That may speak to my own limitations, but I don't think so. The better I am at loving Jesus alone, the better I will be at helping others love Jesus.
Second, preparation matters. A room full of people and a platform crammed with leaders is very forgiving. If I miss a note, a word, even an entrance, the people around me can pick me up. Have my back. But in an empty room and very few people serving with me, my failures are exposed. The best way to limit failures is to prepare deeply. Thoroughly.
Third, people matter. I have written about it before: we don't lead music; we lead people. As worship leaders, part of what makes us effective is to "read the room." We pick up on the cues of those we serve, and we sing faster, slower, louder, softer, repeat a chorus or cut a song short. (When the people are finished singing, we might as well stop the song!) But we can't read an empty room. This has been the hardest part for me. I miss the people terribly.
So as we walk back into (less) crowded rooms in a few weeks, let me encourage you as I'm challenging myself:
1) Worship alone every day, even if only for 5-10 minutes.
2) Know the songs you're singing/playing/tech-ing better than ever.
3) Serve the people by leading with sensitivity to their needs and dreams.
Now... what are YOU learning in this unprecedented season? Whether you are a worship pastor, worship leader, or worshiper, I'd love to hear from you!
That didn't prepare me for the empty room.
This has been so much harder on many than on me--like my cousin, who is a medical professional in New York City. But still, it's hard.
And I've learned a lot.
These three stand out as top of the list.
1) Private worship matters.
2) Preparation matters.
3) People matter.
So none of those are new for you either?
But my goodness... I know them so much more deeply now!
First, private worship matters. If I cannot worship Jesus alone, and be completely comfortable with it, there is no way I can authentically worship Jesus on the platform with others and do it well. That may speak to my own limitations, but I don't think so. The better I am at loving Jesus alone, the better I will be at helping others love Jesus.
Second, preparation matters. A room full of people and a platform crammed with leaders is very forgiving. If I miss a note, a word, even an entrance, the people around me can pick me up. Have my back. But in an empty room and very few people serving with me, my failures are exposed. The best way to limit failures is to prepare deeply. Thoroughly.
Third, people matter. I have written about it before: we don't lead music; we lead people. As worship leaders, part of what makes us effective is to "read the room." We pick up on the cues of those we serve, and we sing faster, slower, louder, softer, repeat a chorus or cut a song short. (When the people are finished singing, we might as well stop the song!) But we can't read an empty room. This has been the hardest part for me. I miss the people terribly.
So as we walk back into (less) crowded rooms in a few weeks, let me encourage you as I'm challenging myself:
1) Worship alone every day, even if only for 5-10 minutes.
2) Know the songs you're singing/playing/tech-ing better than ever.
3) Serve the people by leading with sensitivity to their needs and dreams.
Now... what are YOU learning in this unprecedented season? Whether you are a worship pastor, worship leader, or worshiper, I'd love to hear from you!
Monday, April 27, 2020
10 Tips for Worshiping Online
While many in church leadership are trying to figure out how to provide the best online worship experience, it would be wise to remember there's another side to the equation. Perhaps we can serve our church families by helping them know how to worship from their family rooms. Here are ten suggestions I'd make. I'm curious if you see anything I've missed. Let's learn from one another!
1. Get the time on your calendar. If at all possible, meet at the same time as the rest of the church. You won’t see the people in the next row, but there is something about knowing you’re doing this at the same time as the rest of the church family. Blocking out the time may help you focus. Don’t do the dishes during the sermon or check your email. Practice being fully present.
"It occurred to me one day that though I often worry about
whether or not I sense the presence of God,
I give little thought to whether God senses the presence of me."
Phillip Yancey
2. Get your space ready. Have your Bible handy, and maybe a notebook and pen. You could light a candle or do something else that helps your space have a sacred vibe to it. If possible, use the biggest screen in your home. Turn up the volume so you can sing along, talk back to the preacher, say “amen,” etc. If you’re not sure how to do “screen sharing” and get the service on a smart TV (which you’ll need to do this), ask a tech-savvy friend.
3. Get yourself ready. Get dressed. Whether you dress up as much as normal isn’t as important as that you simply “get ready” for the online experience by getting some clothes on. Comb your hair. Dress for an encounter with God, not just a seat on your couch.
4. Get your family together. If you have children in your home, this is a tremendous opportunity to teach your children how to worship, especially by your example. You can do things at home that might feel uncomfortable in the church building. Kneel when it’s time to pray. Sing. If you have to, turn up the volume again so you can sing without feeling self-conscious. Dads, lead your family here. You are the pastor of your home. If there’s no dad in your home—which was true for much of my upbringing—God will empower you moms to do this.
5. Get communal. If you know of a single person, invite them to watch with you via FaceTime or Zoom. You could do this with your small group. It takes a little more work and technical resources, but many of you can do this. It’s a way to feel more together while we are physically more separated.
6. Get active. Stand up for the first song, or any time the music is upbeat. You can move around. Again, kneel when you pray. If this feels awkward, do it anyway. God is going to grow you in this season in ways you've never experienced--if you let him. We all know growth usually happens outside our comfort zone.
7. Get generous. While we are not meeting together physically, the church is still operating. Many churches are taking care of people who are struggling financially. The church staff is still working, many are sacrificing more time than usual to make ministry work in a paradigm we've never known. The equipment it takes to do online worship well is expensive. If you are able, this is a great time to step up your giving. And if you are in need, be sure to reach out to a pastor or church leader. We want to take care of you.
8. Get a plan for afterwards. Follow the service with a meal, an on-purpose meal. And while you eat, talk about the service. You could use the “events” tab on the YouVersion app to talk through the sermon. If there was a song lyric that grabbed you, talk about that. If there was a call to action, decide with those in your home how you will respond. This could become a powerful habit after we’re back together.
9. Get word out. Inside the service you can leave comments any time. Real-time feedback is familiar to church-goers. We say “amen.” We clap. We interact. Now you can do that online using the comment feature. And get The Word OUT! Invite your family and friends to attend with you or after you. Share the post if you're on Facebook. You can text or email a link to others inviting them to be part of this. Online invitations seem a little less intimidating than in person invitations, so invite people to "church" online.
10. Get gratitude out. Unexpressed thankfulness is just a feeling. Expressed, it is far more powerful. People are taking a great deal of their time to make this experience possible, and at the top of that list is the tech team. Reach out to those who serve in your church and tell them thank you.
Let me know what else you're doing to make the most of online worship in your house?
Let me know what else you're doing to make the most of online worship in your house?
Tuesday, April 21, 2020
The Idol of Musical Style
[DISCLAIMER] I am serving the best church I've ever known. This has never been the issue at Woodburn Baptist that it has been in other churches I've served or in churches I hear about. My pastor has led through the "worship war" part of history with wisdom and grace. I am certainly not targeting any individual or any church. It is a post for Christendom. For me and you.]
We have become far too tolerant of the idol of musical style.
There. I've said it.
Far too tolerant.
For nearly 35 years I have led worship as part of a church staff. That's about 1800 weeks. Most of those weeks someone has been upset over musical style in worship. And by most, I'm guessing somewhere in the neighborhood of 1750 of them.
Far too tolerant.
God is not so hesitant: "I, the Lord your God, am a jealous God who will not tolerate your affection for any other gods." (Deuteronomy 5:9, emphasis mine)
That's actually part of commandment #3. Yes, that #3. Of the Ten Commandments.
You may say, "But my love for old hymns, or new songs, or loud drums, or organ sounds... those aren't gods!"
Can I be bold? I often see more impassioned posts on social media about the style of music than the saving grace of Jesus.
If an idol is anything that gets between me and God--takes my affection away from God and puts it on something else--then surely musical style is an idol in the modern church.
I have been screamed at. I have been cried on. I have gotten letters that are pages long. I have had my job threatened. I have had annual reviews with a personnel committee where my performance was called into question.
All over musical style.
If you don't think it is an idol, can I just be so bold as to say... there's a chance you may be the idolator.
Of course I don't know your heart. I'm not accusing you. Remember, through this whole series on idolatry, I've been journeying with you as a confessor.
I have idolized musical style too.
I once visited a hero of mine in the ministry. It was early on; I was under 30. It was upon that visit that I discovered he had, in my mind, "sold out" to musical style. I confess to you that I thought less of him that day. Makes me want to throw up to think of it now.
I have good news: God has a 100% track record of welcome repentant sinners like me. Like some of you. Every time we confess, every time, he is faithful to forgive.
And so maybe this is where your repentance starts. Think differently about musical style so you can start behaving differently around style. Get to the other side of music you don't like so you can give your heart to the Savior you love.
Maybe you will be able to say, along with Harold Best, retired professor of music at Wheaton College and one of the godliest, smartest men I've ever known:
"Let the music come. Traditional, contemporary, avant-garde, ethnic, jazz, rock and chat... rejoice in it. Dance with David in it... Let the emotions roll and the endorphins break their dikes. But for Jesus Christ's sake, let's get music back where it belongs--as a lisping sign and not a glittering cause, as the response to a commandment and not just a set of tools for influencing people."
If you need help, I'd be honored to walk this journey with you, one recovering idol-worshiper to another. If you disagree, and I suspect more than a few of you will, I'd love to see your civil thinking in the comments below. Seriously.
If you want a couple more quotes that might help, here you are. They are from a book I just finished called "Preaching as Worship."
We have become far too tolerant of the idol of musical style.
There. I've said it.
Far too tolerant.
For nearly 35 years I have led worship as part of a church staff. That's about 1800 weeks. Most of those weeks someone has been upset over musical style in worship. And by most, I'm guessing somewhere in the neighborhood of 1750 of them.
Far too tolerant.
God is not so hesitant: "I, the Lord your God, am a jealous God who will not tolerate your affection for any other gods." (Deuteronomy 5:9, emphasis mine)
That's actually part of commandment #3. Yes, that #3. Of the Ten Commandments.
You may say, "But my love for old hymns, or new songs, or loud drums, or organ sounds... those aren't gods!"
Can I be bold? I often see more impassioned posts on social media about the style of music than the saving grace of Jesus.
If an idol is anything that gets between me and God--takes my affection away from God and puts it on something else--then surely musical style is an idol in the modern church.
I have been screamed at. I have been cried on. I have gotten letters that are pages long. I have had my job threatened. I have had annual reviews with a personnel committee where my performance was called into question.
All over musical style.
- Not the amount of prayer in our services; Jesus was pretty big on that one. (Mt 21:13)
- Not the theology of lyrics; that seems like a pretty big deal. (2 Tim 1:13)
- Not the level of engagement of the people; God is seeking those who will worship (that's a verb) him. (Jn 4:23)
If you don't think it is an idol, can I just be so bold as to say... there's a chance you may be the idolator.
Of course I don't know your heart. I'm not accusing you. Remember, through this whole series on idolatry, I've been journeying with you as a confessor.
I have idolized musical style too.
I once visited a hero of mine in the ministry. It was early on; I was under 30. It was upon that visit that I discovered he had, in my mind, "sold out" to musical style. I confess to you that I thought less of him that day. Makes me want to throw up to think of it now.
I have good news: God has a 100% track record of welcome repentant sinners like me. Like some of you. Every time we confess, every time, he is faithful to forgive.
And so maybe this is where your repentance starts. Think differently about musical style so you can start behaving differently around style. Get to the other side of music you don't like so you can give your heart to the Savior you love.
Maybe you will be able to say, along with Harold Best, retired professor of music at Wheaton College and one of the godliest, smartest men I've ever known:
"Let the music come. Traditional, contemporary, avant-garde, ethnic, jazz, rock and chat... rejoice in it. Dance with David in it... Let the emotions roll and the endorphins break their dikes. But for Jesus Christ's sake, let's get music back where it belongs--as a lisping sign and not a glittering cause, as the response to a commandment and not just a set of tools for influencing people."
If you need help, I'd be honored to walk this journey with you, one recovering idol-worshiper to another. If you disagree, and I suspect more than a few of you will, I'd love to see your civil thinking in the comments below. Seriously.
If you want a couple more quotes that might help, here you are. They are from a book I just finished called "Preaching as Worship."
- "It seems to me that if a church splits over music, that music has become more important than togetherness in itself." -- Keith Getty
- "Whenever worshipers choose music out of personal preference (whether traditional or contemporary), they are in danger of excluding others and causing disunity." -- Michael Quicke
Monday, April 13, 2020
The Idol of People
I idolize people all the time. I'm terrible about this! While I know God does not show favoritism (according to Rom 2:22), I do. I hate this about myself. And I do it in two ways.
First, just to be brutally honest, I too often think too highly of people. Celebrity preachers or worship leaders feel like they are beyond my reach. I'm sometimes intimidated to reach out on social media or by email. I think they are, somehow, better than I am. Busier than I am. Holier than I am.
When I go to a worship event led by one of the mega-influential bands or worship writers of our day, I look on them with wonder and awe, emotions that should be--that MUST BE--reserved for the God we worship. I do this with preachers, too. Those I listen to via podcast, or read in their books.
But pedestals are made for idols, not for people.
I wonder if you do this as well.
There's another side to my idolatry... to my pride.
The second way I show favoritism is to myself. When anyone on the platform -- preacher, vocalist, instrumentalist, etc -- does not seem to be leading the way I think is right, I can be dismissive. That sounds bad, doesn't it?
It gets worse.
Because when I dismiss those people, I end up dismissing Christ-in-them. (Col 1:27)
Lord, have mercy!
Tragically, the very presence of God that is in those made in His glorious image is lost. At least on me. And perhaps, depending on how 'on display' my idolatry is, it is lost on others as well.
Image-bearers and presence-carriers bring the hope of glory to me. And I miss it.
As I said in the post that introduced this series, oh how this must grieve the heart of God!
Now, may I be even more honest?
I'm sometimes the person that people put on a pedestal or look down on. And this breaks my heart. I am not more or less than anyone. You and I are made in the same image, broken by the same sin, and covered by the same righteousness.
Wouldn't we all be better served if we looked for Jesus in everyone?
And recognize that the same Jesus is in us, as in in everyone?
I'm deeply curious... how do you avoid putting yourself or others on a pedestal? What do you DO or THINK that rescues you from idolizing people?
First, just to be brutally honest, I too often think too highly of people. Celebrity preachers or worship leaders feel like they are beyond my reach. I'm sometimes intimidated to reach out on social media or by email. I think they are, somehow, better than I am. Busier than I am. Holier than I am.
When I go to a worship event led by one of the mega-influential bands or worship writers of our day, I look on them with wonder and awe, emotions that should be--that MUST BE--reserved for the God we worship. I do this with preachers, too. Those I listen to via podcast, or read in their books.
But pedestals are made for idols, not for people.
I wonder if you do this as well.
There's another side to my idolatry... to my pride.
The second way I show favoritism is to myself. When anyone on the platform -- preacher, vocalist, instrumentalist, etc -- does not seem to be leading the way I think is right, I can be dismissive. That sounds bad, doesn't it?
It gets worse.
Because when I dismiss those people, I end up dismissing Christ-in-them. (Col 1:27)
Lord, have mercy!
Tragically, the very presence of God that is in those made in His glorious image is lost. At least on me. And perhaps, depending on how 'on display' my idolatry is, it is lost on others as well.
Image-bearers and presence-carriers bring the hope of glory to me. And I miss it.
As I said in the post that introduced this series, oh how this must grieve the heart of God!
Now, may I be even more honest?
I'm sometimes the person that people put on a pedestal or look down on. And this breaks my heart. I am not more or less than anyone. You and I are made in the same image, broken by the same sin, and covered by the same righteousness.
Wouldn't we all be better served if we looked for Jesus in everyone?
And recognize that the same Jesus is in us, as in in everyone?
I'm deeply curious... how do you avoid putting yourself or others on a pedestal? What do you DO or THINK that rescues you from idolizing people?
Monday, April 6, 2020
The Idol of Music
I have loved music since I was in elementary school. Second grade, best I recall.
By the time I got to high school I was hooked. Singing. Playing tuba. Singing. Trying to play guitar or piano. Singing. I loved it all!
So I went to college for music. Vocal performance, officially.
And then I went to graduate school for church music. I learned to stand before a choir and orchestra with a conductor's baton and lead reasonably well.
For years I read everything I could about how to hone my craft. I geeked out on professional journals, attended the finest conferences, and talked shop with some of the best in the field.
I really, really loved music. Maybe even more than Jesus. I don't think so, but maybe.
It's a good question to ask, especially in the church of our day: Do we love Jesus more than music?
Here are some ways we can examine our souls:
By the time I got to high school I was hooked. Singing. Playing tuba. Singing. Trying to play guitar or piano. Singing. I loved it all!
So I went to college for music. Vocal performance, officially.
For years I read everything I could about how to hone my craft. I geeked out on professional journals, attended the finest conferences, and talked shop with some of the best in the field.
I really, really loved music. Maybe even more than Jesus. I don't think so, but maybe.
It's a good question to ask, especially in the church of our day: Do we love Jesus more than music?
Here are some ways we can examine our souls:
- Invite God to do this with us. Psalm 139:23 gives us words to pray: "Search me O God, and know my heart."
- Pay attention to your feelings when we are in worship. Does your heart light up more over a song than the name of Jesus? If so, music may have become an idol. Consider Deuteronomy 5:10, "I, the Lord your God, am a jealous God who will not tolerate your affection for any other gods." That's in the 2nd of the 10 commandments. Notice the word affection.
- Consider the ways we spend time with Jesus daily. Are we more likely to pour our hearts out in song than in prayer? That may be a warning sign.
- Have we ever considered leaving a worship gathering--or our churches--because of music? How good or bad, how old or new, etc.? Then perhaps our attention to music has become greater than our affection for Jesus. Perhaps. That's why we start with the prayer of David in Psalm 139. God is the one who knows our hearts better than we know ourselves.
- Are we more likely to evaluate the worship music in our gatherings than to be evaluated by the word of God in those same meetings? I find, when I do this, that it is from a place of pride, not humility. Again, I don't know your heart--and sometimes you don't either--but God does.
Just to be clear, I'm not talking about musical style. Yet. That hot potato comes in two weeks. I'm just talking about music in general. Style may be an indication, but music itself can be an idol. God gave it to us as a gift, but we--according to Romans 1--all too often exchange the gift for the Giver.
Let me close with good news. God has a very, very long and faithful track record of welcoming the smashing of idols. If music has become too important to you, confess and repent. God is eager to forgive and ready to help us change the way we think and act about music. About all of our idols.
When you smash the idol of music you will find something beautiful in the shards. The glory of God that has been bottled up will explode your heart with pure praise of Jesus in new and beautiful ways.
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