Listen to the Band

The other day, I had an excellent conversation about music in worship (I hate equating the two... music or singing and worship). The day before, in chapel, our chapel band was allowed to cut loose. One student, who is an exceptional guitar player, was allowed to solo. I had no idea what a big deal this would be.

Some people were concerned that the focus was on him, the musician, and not on God.

I used to be one of those reactionary pomo worship service nuts who decried performance in the "worship service" and demanded that the band be out of sight in an attempt to completely remove them from the spotlight so that God could have it all (now, I'm just a reactionary who decries "worship services"... go figure).

But I've really re-thought this whole role of performance in artistic worship. I believe we ought to give in to it. Let them perform! Let's be honest about what is happening, and stop putting a lot of unnecessary pressure on "worship leaders" to evoke some desired response from the "participants". At the same time, let's take the pressure off of the "participants" to react in a certain way!

Look, the fact is that there are some people who were born to play music. I happen to have had three or so of those types of people in that class. When I see them play their instruments, I realize that they are doing what God made them to do. I desire to participate in that with them by wondering at the grace of a God who allows me to catch a glimpse of His beauty and truth in such a magnificent way through broken and flawed vessels such as these, and the mercy of a God who would allow this severely damaged vessel to recognize that beauty and gain pleasure from it.

Ultimately, as with any act of worship, it comes down to an individual act of obedience. Is the guitar player playing for personal glory, or because God has made him play? Is the flute player playing to get a scholarship, or out of a desire to express the beauty that's been revealed to her and has led her to tears to others, hoping that they feel it too, because she knows how much it meant to her? Why take this away from them by diminishing their performance out of a selfish desire to not be disturbed in our so-called "moment with God"? Is it not focusing on God to recognize Him in this act of obedience? This, in fact, is the responsibility of the listener. It is their act of obedience... to revel in the wonder of the gifts of the musician and show gratitude for their desire to share them.

So let the singer sing. Let the musician play. Let the painter paint and the actor act. Let the dancer dance. Let them perform! I'll be sitting in the row with my hands behind my back, smiling, and thanking God for all the beautiful music.
posted by Stephen at 12:48 AM | |