Letter to a New Friend
I mentioned in my Sunday De-Brief that someone argued with me on Sunday morning about the kind of music we play. I should have added that he did so very respectfully and without “picking a fight.” He’s admittedly old-school, and has followed up with an email engaging me in some back-and-forth. He wanted to know if our music is more for entertainment or worship. I thought I’d share the response I sent him earlier today:
Dear _________,
Thanks so much for coming to worship with us. Plenty of people who have questions or criticisms toward our church never take a look for themselves, but you came. And I respect that. No – I don’t mind at all some conversations about worship styles, or methods, or culture, or whatever.
Our music is just one part of a larger vision and strategy. We began with a question: If we approach our ministry like a missionary would in an ungodly foreign culture, how would we try to engage the “locals?“ If we were in Brazil, we would learn things about the Brazilian culture, and we would make the church reflect what made sense to Brazilians – all while being faithful to what is scriptural. I believe that is what Paul meant in 1 Cor. 9 about becoming all things to all people to reach as many as possible. It is about changing the methods without ever changing the message of the Gospel.
More than a couple of pastors or faithful members of other churches have said of churches like ours: “You’re just entertaining people.” But the same charge could be leveled against ANY church that makes ANY attempt to offer God their best worship environment. My question to our harshest critics would be: Does your church try to put skillful musicians in place? Or – in an effort to avoid “entertaining” – do you make sure the music has no beat and no harmony? Does your pastor ever say anything interesting or humorous?
I don’t believe that “worship style” (including the music) is a matter of right or wrong (as long as Scripture isn’t violated). It is a matter of preference and not principal. Those who love a 1950’s style of church experience usually defend that experience. Our music is part of our outreach strategy. We are trying to capture the imagination and attention of a generation who either avoid church or get bored to death if someone makes them go. Psalm 33:3 says, “Sing to him a new song; Play skillfully on the strings, with loud shouts.” Sounds like The ROCK to me.
God’s best to you, brother.
(via my email)
Hey Kevin
I just read your blog about your friend who made a comment about the music on Sunday and I would like to at least give you me perspective on our music for Sunday:
For the most part I agree with your beliefs about worship but I would like to add a couple of different views that I think maybe your friend was trying to relay. I don’t think Paul was thinking of music when he said to “be all things to all people”. I remember when I was worship leader and I struggled with this very scripture for a long time. I was trying to create an atmosphere of worship that everyone in the church would connect with. I remember even scheduling my different songs in order to “tap into” the different cultures because we were a culturally diverse church. Maybe the first song would have a strong rock feel. The second would slow down a bit with a “hillsong” flavor. The third would be “worshipful” with a black gospel feel and pick it back up again so the Pastor would be starting on an upbeat mood. This madness was so frustrating for me because I spent so much of my time thinking of what the people wanted. UNTIL, one day God really convicted me of this and asked me who was I worshipping, Him or THEM? I was spending all of my energy trying to please the people and not asking God what He wanted to hear. It was then that I realized that worship is NOT for the people, but the people are for worship. And the only One to be considered when trying to figure out how/when to worship is Jesus. The Audience of One. Seek first His Kingdom, and all the other stuff will be taken care of. Enter His gates with thanksgiving and His courts with praise. It doesn’t say anything about doing what the people wanted.
Through this season of my life, I realized just how important authentic worship really was. If you present yourself as a vessel for praising God, and you are truly seeking Him when you’re praising Him and not just up there because that’s what you’re suppose to do, then worship you will do and the people can’t help but become drawn into what your doing. Worship, as defined with the music, is not for the people, but for God. That is something that we’re giving to Him and receiving blessings because of it.
Something that I’ve communicated to Jeremiah about is that the people that are on stage should at least know why they’re on stage. It’s not because they know how to sing or play an instrument. It’s not cause we need people up there period. Some of the best worship services that I’ve been to were just a couple of people and an acoustic guitar. They are up there because they’re sold out for Jesus and recognize that He has gifted them and called them to be up there and if it was only them and no one else in the room, then they would still praise Him with the same enthusiasm as when there is a room full of people. God calls for us to play skillfully (you mentioned this about David). The stage is NOT a place for people to learn how to play nor is it a place to showcase talent UNLESS you’re doing it for the glory of God. That is a heart thing, not a talent thing. You mentioned about “right or wrong”. That completely is dependant on where your heart is. If it’s anywhere other than for Jesus when your up there, then you shouldn’t be up there, period.
Mark Stanley