I’ll admit from the start I’m not the best writer, but I’ll give it
my best shot.
The title of this blog might be a little weird for some, but I’ll do
my best to explain what I mean.
Over the past 15 years I have served at various churches as a
worship pastor, director and leader. I have also had the privilege to travel around
the states as well as some international travel leading musical worship. I have
heard many opinions and have had many conversations with people about musical
worship in the church. It has become very apparent to me that many in the
church have glorified music over the Creator of music. People have chosen churches and left churches based on
the music.
I can’t help but think we have missed the point of worship. GOD!
One thing you should know about me, whenever I have conversations
with people about musical worship, I am always looking for the objective based on scripture, not the subjective based on our own experience
or what we feel/think things should be.
As a worship Pastor, when it comes to musical worship, the most
important things for me are …
1.
Singing God glorifying and cross centered songs
2. Singing songs that are theologically correct
3. Helping people engage with God.
The reality is, we have many people in our churches that love the
music, and many that don’t. If you were to be a fly on the window of most homes
and cars represented in our churches, you would find all different styles of
music being played, from country and pop, to rock and rap. And even then we
are just getting started with the genres of music people enjoy. Now add on
church background and how we were raised. Some people were raised on hymns and
think that’s all we should sing. Some were forced to sing hymns and would be
happy if they never sang another hymn in their life. Some met Jesus in high
school at a church that sang contemporary songs and have great memories of
meeting Jesus through that style of music. Some even think drums are from the
devil. Some would say we aren’t as charismatic and some would say we are to
charismatic in our worship. I could go on and on, the point is we all have preferences.
I have come to realize that as a music pastor I will never please
everyone.
I want to stay true to who I am while at the same time applying the
above “filter” of singing God glorifying & cross centered songs, singing
songs that are theologically correct and helping people engage with God in
times of corporate musical worship.
So what’s the point, I’m glad you asked.
If you are a worship leader, be encouraged. Stay faithful to who God
created you to be, sing songs that glorify Jesus and help people engage as best
as you can knowing that you won’t please everyone.
If you are attend church and have strong preferences about music,
take a step back and realize it’s ok to have opinions and preferences, just
remember, they are your opinions and preferences and not everyone feels the
same. (and that’s ok)
Most of all lets remember that worship is not for us; it’s for our
creator. It’s for the one who sacrificed his life, stood in our place and
endured the wrath of God on our behalf.
That kind of sacrifice and that kind of God deserves radical
sacrifice and radical worship from His children!
Mike
