Musical Chairs
The great discussion we had on Friday regarding the movement of Holy Spirit was applied, by most of the commenters, to the reaction to music in worship services. Music touches the soul, and is perhaps the single most controversial topic in church after money (although given my own experience, I would argue that music could possibly exceed money as a controversial topic). Each of us has strong emotional connections to music - whether secular or religious - and those ties often lead to strong beliefs as to the kind of music we believe should be performed and sung in church.
Going with the theme of feeling the Holy Spirit, many of us have readily admitted that we often experience our strongest reactions to the movement of the Holy Spirit during the singing of songs or hymns in worship. Whereas a song like “Above All”, with a vocal harmony accompanied by piano and acoustic guitar can move me nearly to tears, for others it can be the opening strains of “Holy Holy Holy” on a pipe organ that can elicit a similar reaction. I may not like that particular rendition of that classic hymn - likewise, another may not like the contemporary song I prefer - but in both cases, those are two songs that have touched the souls of different believers.
So it is with little surprise that we humans want to re-create the experience of being touched by the Spirit in every worship service we attend, believing that it is only the worship band or only the pipe organ that can touch a person’s soul - if it isn’t performed the way that I prefer, then the entire church is completely missing out on the entire worship experience - and is NOT going to feel the Holy Spirit.
Boy, the Enemy sure has a field day with music, doesn’t he? What better way to distract the human soul from focusing on God than by telling that soul, Remember Andy, you can’t stand that hymn! Think about how much you loathe the organ rather than think about how much you want to worship MY enemy…
That’s all the Enemy needs, after all, to cause divisiveness in a congregation. I’m going to pit Joan, who likes the hymns, against Jill, who like the praise team. I’m going to pit Andy, who like the 5 piece rock worship band, against Phil, who like the pipe organ and choir.
Folks, we’re letting the Enemy win this battle EVERY WEEK.
I admit, I am not a fan of the organ, and that style of music no longer speaks to me (if it ever really did speak to me). And this morning, I admit to cringing while singing the dirge that it A Mighty Fortress is our God - that distraction prevented me from paying attention to the lyrics, in which Luther praises the power of God and that God will never fail us - and that’s just in the opening verse! But I know there was at least one person in that congregation this morning who was touched by the Holy Spirit during that hymn - and that, my friends, makes singing that song worthwhile. I have been humbled to begin to change my own attitudes towards worship and praise.
Are we that selfish that our way is the only way to worship? Unfortunately, we are, being the fallen humans that we are - but this is an area that I pray will be one in which we can set aside our selfishness and know that it does not matter whether we sing a cappella, with an organ, or with a praise band. I hardly think that God says, “There goes that church singing A Mighty Fortress with that boring organ again” or “There goes that church singing Open the Eyes of My Heart for the third Sunday in a row with that ridiculously loud praise band.”
Just sing to God’s glory. Loudly…no matter what musical instrument is accompanying you.
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By Hook, January 22, 2007 @ 2:37 pm
great discussion and debate bro - thanks.
many have fallen victem to worship wars. i am convinced that the most difficult job on any church staff is that of worship leader.
that being said, here is a controversial thought: instead of sticking around a church that does not worship the way that you are wired, find one that does! that is the beauty of living in a country that allows a church on every corner. personally i’d rather see churches worship our creator in the manner that suits the majority instead of doing in many different ways so as to not upset the vocal minorities. our church actually has 3 different styles of worship for the member to choose. in today’s climate, it is all about choices, and if we want to attract the lost, they need to be able to choose.
By Andy, January 22, 2007 @ 8:55 pm
An excellent point, Hook - and most definitely controversial! It really leads to a fundamental question…
Why do you go to the church that you do?
What is the draw? Is music the primary draw? Is it the children’s programming? Is it the people?
If you simply separate this discussion from how the church is to reach the non-believer and focus on how why a current believer chooses to be in the church he/she attends - what is the draw? And are you there for Christ, or for yourself?
By Gabrielle Eden, January 23, 2007 @ 5:46 pm
The lyrics of that song are cool-a mighty fortress, but the organ…how many people still like the organ? that are alive? why is any church still trying to keep that style of worship alive? I like the most contemporary style of worship there is, so I go looking for it, usually where there are young folk. that’s what you have to do, go looking for it….
music draws out what is in the heart, it touches you, it releases you to worship, that is what I think
By hammerswing75, January 23, 2007 @ 11:33 pm
There are people who still love the old hymns accompanied by the organ. Me for example! Like anything it helps if the person playing it does it well.
Of course, as was pointed out, what really matters is the spirit of those who are worshiping. A handy rule of thumb that I have is that if I’m thinking about how I don’t like the music then I need to shift my focus to God.
Another related thought, isn’t it almost an advantage to have music that you don’t like? That way you are forced to concentrate on what matters and not just the pretty sounds! ;)
By Andy, January 24, 2007 @ 4:45 am
Gabrielle - there are a lot of churches out there that still use it, and there are a lot of folks who still enjoy it. I am like you, not a fan, but just as Hammerswing reiterated, it’s not about me and my preferences, but about God.
I do think that it is a difficult thing for many of us (including me) to do. I may understand it on an intellectual level, but it is a battle I fight every Sunday night.
By R. Sherman, January 24, 2007 @ 3:38 pm
I’m jumping into the fray late, but here goes.
At the outset, let me say that I do not dislike “contemporary” worship. I am one of those who prefer the old hymns, however, because as opposed to repetitive choruses, one sings doctrinal truths. For example, “A Mighty Fortress,” especially in German tracks Paul’s language about the armor of God.
What is disturbing to some of us is the attitude that many older Christians feel they are being pushed out their long time congregations because they like the doctrine and reverence of the old hymns. Towit, my 79 year old mother was told by the new worship leader at her church of 30 years, wherein she had led many to Christ, taught Sunday School, etc. that she needed to “get with the program or find a new church.”
This was in response to a simple request to remember the older members of the congregation.
I’m not kidding.
Certainly, that’s not the intended point of this post nor of the comments. And I should repeat, I see a place in worship for all types of music, instruments etc. But I think we make a mistake, if we begin segregating ourselves by our preferences for worship forms.
Good thought-provoking entry, Andy.
Cheers.
By Andy, January 24, 2007 @ 4:43 pm
Randall - that’s actually a very timely comment, if only because a few of us had that discussion last night after our weekly prayer meeting - we discussed the doctrinal truths of hymns and praise songs, along with the hymns and praise songs that have doctrinal issues.
Hmmm…exploring more of these hymns and songs would be a pretty interesting exercise, having done a handful in the past year…
By Donny Prater, January 24, 2007 @ 9:21 pm
ANDY,
I LIKE A LYNARD SKYNARD CHURCH. YOU KNOW, FIVE GUITAR PLAYERS AND A DRUMMER ON STAGE!;-)