Do you feel like singing or gathering all the time?
Recently, I went on theRubicon.org to read through some of the articles. I enjoy the site and highly recommend you take a look at it when you have the opportunity. The site, which is edited by John McAlister and Geoff Ryan does challenge me at times and also gets me to laugh.
As I went through the site I came across an article by Geoff Ryan called, "Real Men Don't Sing (Or Do They)?" Geoff eloquently poses some questions on whether or not we need to sing in the church. He side-steps the worship wars which rage ever-so-angrily in the church as we question whether "praise choruses" or traditional hymns are the best to bring us to the presence of God. He simply addresses the whole idea of corporate worship and singing. He sees many of the new hymns as overwhelmingly feminine in their approach to God.
Gender issues and songbook vs. new hymns aside, I have been thinking a great deal lately about corporate worship. Many of my worship leader friends who once thought they were bringing people into the presence of God now wonder what they are doing in front of people. In fact, one of my friends is considering whether or not the whole concept of worship leading is worth it.
I am not sure I would go that far. I am concerned that for years we went through the motions of playing church in much of our worship gatherings, but now have almost a contrived "let's work up a good cry" motif as a result of people wanting to experience God. I am not sure why we project words many times because we have so many people with contorted faces, with their eyes closed, hands raised and emotional temperature worked to a fever pitch, I wonder if anyone is actually reading the words. Then again, I am also way uncomfortable with the, "Turn to song 64 and let's have a good sing" way of doing things. I am not sure the idea of blended worship is good either. What usually happens is that we end up short-changed on both accounts. Both sides feel cheated. Honestly, I am feeling so much more at home with liturgy and symbolism these days. I can hear my militant Salvationist friends now, "Larry has drank too much of this emergent Kool-aid." Maybe I did. Or maybe I am just really traveling through a time in my life where God is speaking to me in a different, more contemplative way.
Is singing really worship? Is it necessary? I must admit I have been hot and cold on the issue of worship as it pertains to singing. There are times when I feel exhilarated in singing. There are times it brings me to my knees. Then I must admit I think from time to time, "OK, what's the next 'Jesus is your girlfriend' or 'boring old unsingable song' we're going to sing next?" I then wonder what's wrong with me. Everyone else is having a having a hand-raising, face-contorted, hallelujah or hand-clapping experience. There I am wanting feel something, wanting to know God is near, even having prayed before the gathering earnestly seeking Him, and nothing.....Absolutely, nothing. Do you ever feel that way?
So I struggle with these questions. Are singing and worship leading really about worship or performance? Do the Quakers somehow have it right? Does anyone else feel an empty experience in worship gatherings? Do we try too hard sometimes in our worship and then miss the point, no matter what style we enjoy? Anyone been to a big flag-waver lately or a praise gathering and wondered "What is the point?" If you have, you will know what I mean and what I am feeling.
In fact, there have been some times I have even been in "age-appropriate" worship. (I love these and have led quite a few) You know, it has been youth worship and it has seemed like it is more for the youth leader than it was for the kids.
To quote a friend, when he talked of worship, "I think we are very much stuck when it comes to worship. We want something new, but we don't have anything new to draw from. Most of us aren't that creative. So we end up cranking out a souped up version of the same old thing." What an indictment. I think part of it has to do with singing. But is it also our lack of intimacy with the Creator to Whom our worship must go and inadequately and uncreatively loving Him? Think about how creatively He loves us.
So what about this worship thing? Is singing really worship? Is our gathering in that type of setting a necessity? Is a large corporate gathering even needed? What about the emptiness some of my worship leading friends are feeling? These are people who really love God and want to please Him. They come prayed up and deep in the Word and nothing seems to fill their spirits as they lead.
I am really struggling with the worship gathering. Is it necessary? Did we buy into this style of worship because we got comfortable and figured that is the way we can domesticate God? I would also like to brainstorm with you ideas as to how we might help make worship creatively, lovingly different and pleasing to God.
Do you feel like singing or gathering all the time? If you are like me you have to answer, "Definitely, maybe."
What do you think?
As I went through the site I came across an article by Geoff Ryan called, "Real Men Don't Sing (Or Do They)?" Geoff eloquently poses some questions on whether or not we need to sing in the church. He side-steps the worship wars which rage ever-so-angrily in the church as we question whether "praise choruses" or traditional hymns are the best to bring us to the presence of God. He simply addresses the whole idea of corporate worship and singing. He sees many of the new hymns as overwhelmingly feminine in their approach to God.
Gender issues and songbook vs. new hymns aside, I have been thinking a great deal lately about corporate worship. Many of my worship leader friends who once thought they were bringing people into the presence of God now wonder what they are doing in front of people. In fact, one of my friends is considering whether or not the whole concept of worship leading is worth it.
I am not sure I would go that far. I am concerned that for years we went through the motions of playing church in much of our worship gatherings, but now have almost a contrived "let's work up a good cry" motif as a result of people wanting to experience God. I am not sure why we project words many times because we have so many people with contorted faces, with their eyes closed, hands raised and emotional temperature worked to a fever pitch, I wonder if anyone is actually reading the words. Then again, I am also way uncomfortable with the, "Turn to song 64 and let's have a good sing" way of doing things. I am not sure the idea of blended worship is good either. What usually happens is that we end up short-changed on both accounts. Both sides feel cheated. Honestly, I am feeling so much more at home with liturgy and symbolism these days. I can hear my militant Salvationist friends now, "Larry has drank too much of this emergent Kool-aid." Maybe I did. Or maybe I am just really traveling through a time in my life where God is speaking to me in a different, more contemplative way.
Is singing really worship? Is it necessary? I must admit I have been hot and cold on the issue of worship as it pertains to singing. There are times when I feel exhilarated in singing. There are times it brings me to my knees. Then I must admit I think from time to time, "OK, what's the next 'Jesus is your girlfriend' or 'boring old unsingable song' we're going to sing next?" I then wonder what's wrong with me. Everyone else is having a having a hand-raising, face-contorted, hallelujah or hand-clapping experience. There I am wanting feel something, wanting to know God is near, even having prayed before the gathering earnestly seeking Him, and nothing.....Absolutely, nothing. Do you ever feel that way?
So I struggle with these questions. Are singing and worship leading really about worship or performance? Do the Quakers somehow have it right? Does anyone else feel an empty experience in worship gatherings? Do we try too hard sometimes in our worship and then miss the point, no matter what style we enjoy? Anyone been to a big flag-waver lately or a praise gathering and wondered "What is the point?" If you have, you will know what I mean and what I am feeling.
In fact, there have been some times I have even been in "age-appropriate" worship. (I love these and have led quite a few) You know, it has been youth worship and it has seemed like it is more for the youth leader than it was for the kids.
To quote a friend, when he talked of worship, "I think we are very much stuck when it comes to worship. We want something new, but we don't have anything new to draw from. Most of us aren't that creative. So we end up cranking out a souped up version of the same old thing." What an indictment. I think part of it has to do with singing. But is it also our lack of intimacy with the Creator to Whom our worship must go and inadequately and uncreatively loving Him? Think about how creatively He loves us.
So what about this worship thing? Is singing really worship? Is our gathering in that type of setting a necessity? Is a large corporate gathering even needed? What about the emptiness some of my worship leading friends are feeling? These are people who really love God and want to please Him. They come prayed up and deep in the Word and nothing seems to fill their spirits as they lead.
I am really struggling with the worship gathering. Is it necessary? Did we buy into this style of worship because we got comfortable and figured that is the way we can domesticate God? I would also like to brainstorm with you ideas as to how we might help make worship creatively, lovingly different and pleasing to God.
Do you feel like singing or gathering all the time? If you are like me you have to answer, "Definitely, maybe."
What do you think?
posted by Larry at 1:35 PM
24 Comments:
First of all Larry, there are way to many questions for my own person journey.
I have overheard many many people say that they are tired of singing the same old praise and worship songs, they need something different.
But of course there are those who refuse to leave the songbook for anything else, that might be able to worship God with the same intimate nature of praise and worship.
With music, it is a delicate issue with people. I think that music as much as anything else, it is as individual as the individual at hand.
Personally I enjoy the same contemporary songs like "Shout to the Lord and "Heart of Worship". But also for me I love to sing songs from the songbook if they are done appropiately.
As humans, we do our best to worship God in our very finite minds. We do tend to contain God to a little 20 minute segement in our worship services. But worship needs to be worship. As with music I think that the worship of the Almighty is as individual as the music in which we try to worship.
God created us as individual each with our own uniques features that could have only been created by God. And with I believe that our worship styles and expressions are going to clash with each other. But I think as long as we are worshipping God with all our hearts, then God is exalted.
(Sorry read and commented, in hopes that it makes some kinda sense)
When "planning" worship at the corps (that even sounds odd) we have taken the approach from our greek orthodox family. God created us with 5 senses...He created us as thinkers...He created us as doers...He created us to worship Him heart, mind, body, and soul. With this in mind, His Word is also breathing and active. What is the theme of the meeting...be still and know I am God (not much moving and shaking at that service), but if it was the lesson learned from King David when the arc was returned then singing, dancing, and praise would be rocking the chapel! Instead of following the same format passed from generation to generation, each week has a new twist or flavor. We are not trying to entertain the congregation, but to demonstrate and bring them into the presence of the most creative being we know....God!
I guess once we get passed the entertaining God factor of worship, we can see it's not "Look what I can do Daddy" but "I'm looking at what You can do Abba"
Larry,
I think every Christian who is honest with themselves and others has days like you described. Sometimes true worship doesn't happen with the songs that are being sung. I think that is human nature...not anything to do with the songs themselves. I believe music was created by God to be used to worship him. But there are times when we just need to be silent in His presence. In the 2.5 years we were in Georgetown, Trista and I "planned" Quaker style meetings (partly out of necessity because of the lack of musicians). For the first couple times, the corps people were very uncomfortable with the silence, but they learned from it and we had some excellent worship.
Hope those thoughts help a little.
In His Grip,
Dave
Nicole,
I would love to see the orthodox style of worship of which you speak. I was at a burial mass yesterday. Although, I was not in complete agreement with the doctrine, I was moved by the sense of reverence and worship. I think sometimes in our tradition we do lose some of the sense of the mystical.
Dave and Kevin,
Thanks for affirming I am not the only one in WA "worshippers anonymous."
I tell you the truth, I sometimes just don't get it with the warm fuzzies, but I am not sure what else to do in worship.
My worship in song is most hollow when my life is not singing praise to God. My "boredom" with song repertoire is most often due to the fact that I'm seeking my own needs and not really interested in what blesses the Father's heart. We need worship leaders who will choose the right songs based on being in tune with the Holy Spirit. We need worship leaders whose lives are a song to God that is sweet music in His ears. Revelation and transformation still take place under the Holy-Spirit-anointed leading of sung worship by men and women who do truly love God and want the world to be changed for His glory.
I was at Roots UK this past weekend, playing in a venue in which there was no congregational singing. As much as I enjoyed it - it was meant to be seeker friendly - I realized just how much I enjoy leading people in worship. It is a challenge at times. And there are times when my feelings aren't all there. At that moment, a sacrifice of song to bless God's heart is what is called for. And I know that God is pleased even with just my desire to be pleasing to him in all things.
Personally, I don't feel that our worship songs are too feminine. Maybe our understanding of God's love is what is warped. We need proper teaching about the love of God. The powerful, sacrificial, heroic, love of Jesus for a lost world. Then when we sing that we love God, maybe we'll understand the kind of love we're be called to, men and women alike.
Larry,
I'll send you a couple via email. I was inspired by a trip to Phil's brother's church. They attend the Greek Orthodox Church...again I didn't understand a lot of the ritual entering the sanctuary, but felt the presence of God there. It felt like a holy place...a place for reverence and awe. I spoke with them afterwards and told them how beautiful the service was...how I was really brought into worship through this experience. Sadly, they were shocked and also relieved that I was not offended by the service. How far have we come as a universal church when we are offended by others worshipping God? Lord forgive us!
Phil,
Thanks for your comment. I really tried to identify the issues raised in Geoff's article. I think, however, there are times I really have prepared and prayed, emptied my soul and still nothing. I submit it has nothing to do with my desire to love God, it is that sometimes singing becomes more ritual than it does an offering of worship. I guess I am wondering why many of my friends who lead worship feel this way.
Nicole,
I have been to a Greek Church. It is beautiful. I am so surprised that your family would think you would be offended.
I wonder why that would be the case? Do we somehow show that we think our style of worship is the best?
I think we can come across as way too exclusive in our approaches to worship. There are some Salvationists who would be utterly offended by communion being observed in a service (another discussion for another day) as if it is heretical...or some congregations that would gasp with horror at a sacred dance. Why? We allow the comfortable take the place of the consecrated. Do we do this purposefully...I certainly pray not, but manytimes we can come across as denominationally arrogant. My Jesus is better than your Jesus...sillyness.
Hi- I'm not sure I buy the basic premise that guys don't like to sing songs in public. At a U2 concert I'm told that more guys sing than women.
grace,
Stephen C
armybarmy.com/blog.html
Nicole,
Thanks for being so active in the discussion. I would still like to see some brainstorming on creativity in worship. I admit, I am very much at a loss when it comes to being creative.
A few weeks ago I said to Captain " i Quit". I'd just had it, it had been a long day, I was tired, carting my kids around from activity to activity shoving dinner down their throats, for what? to try and FORCE our congregation to enjoy singing praise songs. It's rediculous. Most times I can't look at the people while I'm leading I look at the beautiful stained glass cross in the back of our chapel. When is enough enough? When do I say, I can't do this anymore, my heart's not in it? Or do I just suck it up, as the leader, and know that God has given me, and the band these talents (as questionable by some as they are) and I should use them whether I see the results or not?
Other times I feel that I just need a week off. I just need to be a part of the worship and not the leader of the worship, which I'm not sure there should be a distinction, but for me there is, at least here, now. It blesses my heart when I see people worshipping and I can really get into what I'm a part of. Iknow it sounds pathetic and backwards, but it's true. when i see adults talking, sleeping, giggling through a worship song, it frustrates me and makes me want to quit.
as for creativity...we did a few things to kind of shake things up....but I think the issue is where is your congregation? like you said, we're all travelling at a different rate and don't always need the same opportunities for worship. I very much enjoy being a part of the music worship at our corps. I do get frustrated and maybe our creative way to fix this is to find other ways of worship so the band can have a break. then i also think that maybe i'm really not in that place yet where i should be leading...maybe i've got some growing to do before i get to that place...
don't know, but thank you for helpign me to voice those thoughts.
(sorry for the spelling, quick typing, little time)
Creativity? Hmm...that is difficult from week to week. I guess again it comes down to the attitude of reflection and worship into which we want to draw our people. We've done a handwashing ceremony at the beginning of a meeting as the call to worship. There have been times when our entire service was Scripture directed prayer...praying the names of God and the promises that come with those names. I am a visual learner and need object lessons...there have been times when we've asked them to take a rock at the beginning of the service and not tell them to hold it the whole service...never putting it down and seeing how easy it is to worship when we hold on to our baggage when we enter worship instead of laying at the feet of Jesus. Candles, movement, music, video, etc. If there is a way to lead worship to His glory, we will do it.
hil,
i think you have hit the feeling on the head for many of my other friends. we love God. we want to please him. we also want to feel him near.
i don't know. i am at a loss when it comes to worship sometimes.
Thank you, heather, for reminding me that I am not meant to be the leader in terms of them following me through life, but merely providing an opportunity for others to find that focus, and that really I need to only be concerned with how I am worshipping, not as concerned with the distractions and frustrations.
thanks
Maybe we just think about it too much. The praise and worship that is prevelant now is in reality well past 10, 15 and even 20 years old in many locations. The old hymns are still very much relevant as are the new worship praise. I'm thinking that maybe God in His infinite wisdom created the denominations for just that reason. For His diverse creation.
Thanks heather you make some great comments here.
blus, do you honestly believe we think about the things of God too much? Wow! I would hope that we would think about them often so that we might please him more and make the church what he wants it to be. Unfortunately, i think much of the problems we have in the church have come because people have not thought out their faith and actions critically, but just swallowed the latest pop theology, worship craze or evangelism technique. Maybe that explains the lack of creativity in the church. We don't think we just blindly follow and don't engage in thought
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
As usual, I come rather late to the discussion, but here goes.
Worship without some kind of music/song can happen, but we are so often encouraged to sing unto the Lord that we must not eliminate it all together. Our music, our words, our body movement, our senses as involved in worship are about our offering to God, not about how it makes us feel. The trap is to fail to offer our worship simply because we don't "feel" as though we've worshiped.
As for Orthodox worship, part of its power is that each segment of the worship is done for a reason that is known to the people. Fredericka Matthews-Green provides a good explanation in her writings.
As for worship leaders, it may be that they need to find a time or space in which they can worship without having to lead, whether at the ocean's edge or in another fellowship from time to time.
I wonder if the tension that sometimes occurs between creativity and liturgy can become a both/and rather than an either/or, with a continued creative influence within liturgical parameters, however defined?
In the end, worship is simply God's people coming before the Almighty in awe, honor, and in spirit and truth. If this is present in our worship, regardless of its form, it is pleasing to God.
Larry,
Of course not. The things of God is what worship is all about as you have stated. What I mean is if our hearts are right and our motives for worship are in accordance with our hearts then I don't think it's as complicated as we make it.
When we take time to plan and be creative it seems to me that then the order of service is wrong and complaints abound. I don't dissagree that we need to think our worship out. I also feel at times like staring into the stained-glass because it seems that it's pointless.
I just believe that worship begins on Monday and culminates on Sunday. If we plan worship inside our offices then the drudgery begins. If we plan worship around the lives of the people we serve then it will have more meaning. Like I said in one of my very first posts on this bloooogg. Worship/sermon prep/and even the songs we sing can begin with basketball on Tuesday nights or helping a soldier dig a ditch for drainage. The more we are in the lives of the people we shepherd the more satifying worship will be on Sunday.
Thanks to all for your comments.
Look for another posting tomorrow.
Larry
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
Worship is a matter of the heart. I believe that everyone needs to understand the connection between “worship” and “communion” (i.e. our spirit connecting and uniting with His). We are always “in His presence” and He never leaves us. However, communion is different. I believe singing is one way to help us connect with God.
Having said that . . . everyone may not connect with God that way. I connect best when I walk late at night and praying aloud. Sometimes I sing, sometimes I simply praise Him. I pray in the Spirit, I worship, I connect.
Worship is a choice.
Great post!
Blessings,
Bret
PS. If you have a minute, take this survey. I am interested in your thoughts. Everyone is free to take it. The more the merrier.
http://www.surveymonkey.com/s.asp?u=176371849198
http://armytalk.blogspot.com/
Post a Comment
<< Home