Musicians for hire

I was a part of a lively discussion this week with our church staff about the issue of hiring outside musicians to come and be a part of the music program of a local church. We all saw the positive and negative aspects of the issue and walked away with more questions than answers. I thrive on these sort of discussions and would like to hear from some other blog readers on the subject. 

I will present some of the opinions briefly for the purpose of discussion...

OUTREACH

There is the church that hired a musician who did not attend any church to come in and play. The guy loves going to church and is in a home bible study with one of the church pastors. There is the church that hired members of a band that one of the church musicians was a part of when he was out of church. Some of those members have been baptized and received the Holy Ghost. There are those instances where a church has hired a musician from another local non-Apostolic church. I am not sure what the outcome was on this particular situation. 

ANOINTING

Does a church know when there is someone involved in leading worship who doesn't have a relationship with God? Is there a "spiritual awkwardness" in a service when a sinner is on the platform? What about a non-Apostolic musician? Is there no anointing on their ministry?

LEADERSHIP

I spend a lot of time and energy communicating to the music team at our church that they carry as much weight and responsibility for the service they are involved in as the minister who will be delivering the message. This involves much reassuring of all involved that I do not place any more importance on music than should be there, but platform ministry is leadership. Leadership carries responsibility. If we involve anyone from outside our congregation/community, then I would think we have the responsibility to make sure they are bringing the character that we require for leadership amongst ourselves. 

So what do you think? Have you hired anyone from the secular music scene to be a part of leading worship? Do you know of any success stories? Share your wit and wisdom, I am not through discussing this yet.

Syncretism

SYNCRETISM – “the attempted reconciliation or union of different or opposing principles, practices, or parties, as in philosophy or religion.” (From dictionary.com)

Not being a fan of the rock band craze that has taken Christian music by storm in the last few years, I rather cautiously looked forward to an event I was obligated to attend in which this would be the predominant genre of music. It’s not that I think this genre is sinful or evil; it’s just not my preferred style. Granted, at times I swear I was born 100 years too late while at other times I am labeled a “music snob” by those who know me best, but there are some uses of music that I just cannot reconcile.

I have often wondered just why so many speak out strongly against so-called “Christian rock.” When you really think about it, you can’t label a particular style of music as “Christian” or “non-Christian,” “worship” or sacrilege.” I believe music, judged alone is neutral. What about electric guitars, driving drums, and a persistent bass with no vocals is inherently evil? On the flipside, what about a couple of violins, a viola and a cello is neutral? Or what about a pipe organ played at a slow tempo with big, 10-finger chords is inherently sacred?

I’ve gone back and forth with these kinds of questions for some years now. Is it that we identify the lifestyle of most rock musicians with negativity and worldliness and so we don’t want to imitate that in our Christian music? I’ve made this argument before on this very blog. But now I’m not so sure that lifestyle association is what bothers me.

Going back to the event I referred to earlier……..

The event featured several bands, singing mostly original material in the rock genre. Other than the fact that my ears were about to explode because the sound was literally parting my hair down the other side though I was sitting on the back row, the music itself was not an issue. What I could not reconcile were the gyrating, jumping, bending, mic-stand-throwing individuals who were playing and singing this music. Thinking it was just me, I looked around at the crowd – was I the only one feeling this way? The atmosphere was definitely not that of worship – save for a few old folks like me who were clapping or raising hands, determined to make the best of what was becoming an awfully embarrassing situation. I felt like I was at a nightclub – not that I’ve ever been to one, but I’m guessing that would be the atmosphere. People walking in and out, talking on cell phones, laughing with neighbors, you get the idea.

Well, let me end my musings by sharing Leviticus 10:3:

“’Among those who approach me I will show myself holy;
in the sight of all the people I will be honored.’”

This passage of scripture referring to the “strange fire” that was offered by Nadab and Abihu, Aaron’s sons, kept running through my mind. These guys got fried for offering a sacrifice that, underneath it all, was meant to bring attention to them instead of God. I wonder, could that be the issue at stake here? Not the music itself but the outcome. It’s an important question to ask, gyration or not.

Just thinking……

I’m a Pentecostal

"What a great service last night, celebrating 25 years since our church was founded as a home missions work. One of the highlights for me, the song "I'm a Pentecostal," about halfway through the song the saints broke loose, cuttin' a rug, some of the ladies even shouted their hair down! I don't recall exactly when the rejoicing started in earnest, but I think it was on the line "they're leaving their dead churches." I am so thankful I have always been a Pentecostal, never having had to experience firsthand a service bound by tradition and without any real worship."

"What a strange service that was. Never in my life have I been so
uncomfortable in church. One song in particular really bothered me. Not only did the song imply my faith tradition was not valued, everybody seemed to be mocking my faith tradition. I worship God in a conservative Lutheran church. While we may not shout or dance or raise our hands, we sing heartily during the hymns (and, if I may say so, with a modicum of actual musicality), and we participate fully in all aspects of the service. Hardly a 'dead' church, if you please and thank you."

Am I on a rant roll or what. I watched a video of this song a while back and thought about it from a number of vantage points. The song has its merits and its drawbacks, I suppose, as with any song. Do you know the song? Do you sing the song as a chorus, special song, or choir song? What do you think of any of the foregoing?

Celestial Gifts

It is one of the worst sounds in the universe... an instrument being played around on by an individual without musical ability. Call me a snob, I don't care, it hurts deep in my spirit. I get incensed when someone says that they've never had a lesson, perform horribly on an instrument, and then have the audacity to try and blame God for the debacle. "God gave me this talent." No, sir or ma'am, He didn't. 

God-given Talent

I recently felt the prompting of the Spirit in my own life showing me how very much like these non musical performers I had become. I was trying to force my will through in a situation that I had no business trying to control. I gave lip service to the fact that I did not have the ability to run things on my own, but did not feel I had the time to "wait' on the Lord. So it was in very quick order that chaos and confusion reigned supreme. It was also in very quick order that I went crawling to the Creator to make things right. The sufficient grace that He always provides was once again more than enough to set things in order, amaze me anew, and tweak the imperfections in my life so that I grow a little more like Him. 

Divine Revelation

I imagine my efforts were much like the offering of a non musician on an instrument intended for beauty giving off offensive and ugly sounds. I also see that if the Master Musician is so merciful to me, then I had better be careful how I approach the offenders of my delicate aesthetic sensibilities. If He is willing to be patient with me then I can get over myself and become more of a teacher than critic with those dear, sweet, sincere souls... who are making a racket.

An die Musik

“Oh gracious Art, in how many grey hours,When life's fierce orbit ensnared me, Have you kindled my heart to warm love, Transfigured me into a better world! How often has a sigh escaping from your harp, A sweet, a sacred harmony of yours Thrown open the heaven of better times, Oh gracious Art, for that I thank you!”

Sometimes you just have those days. I was having one of those days today – thinking to myself that a job selling books door-to-door wasn’t sounding so bad after all! I really love music –obviously, but sometimes I think I just can’t hear it anymore, can’t write it anymore, can’t teach it any more, can’t grade it anymore!

Today was one of those days. But then, ironically, the words to one of the hundreds of lieder by Franz Schubert started running through my mind. Schubert’s hymn to the art of music, “An die Musik,” was written in 1817 and, in German, is still sung the world over today. So what is it about music that is so captivating, so ensnaring and inescapable? I can honestly say that some of my deepest personal hurts have come at the hands of music – or I should say musicians. But on the flipside, some of my deepest joys have come as a result of it. I guess that’s what happens with things we love, right?

I often wonder, what is it about the power of music, of song? Surely we have all talked about its ability to captivate our emotions, to order the atmosphere, to shape the very direction of our lives. What a fascinating creation it is! What a fascinating creation any art form is– as my friend Laura Jurek has taught me. Her beautiful paintings, stained glass and simple drawings have shown me a dimension of beauty that could never be expressed the same in any other venue. (Thanks, Laura)

When I contemplate all this – the beauty, the captivating power – I have to stand back in amazement that the Lord whom we worship created such a thing. Surely it has to be one of the most special of all His creations. I believe it is part of the essence of his being:

“The LORD your God is with you, he is mighty to save. He will take great delight in you, he will quiet you with his love, he will rejoice over you with singing." Zephaniah 3:17

Imagine the sound of His music!

I realize my ramblings here seem more like a stream of consciousness than organized thought, but I do have a point here. When gratitude rises in my heart for this art that I am privileged to be a part of, what my heart is really speaking is praise to my heavenly Father, the Lord Jesus Christ, who chose music as His means to express the essence of His being – His love- to me, his daughter. “Oh gracious Art,” oh gracious Lord, “for that I thank you!”

Motivate Me...I dare you...

My Christmas tree is still up. Don't judge me. You don't know what it took just to get it up. Like I mentioned before, the Christmas "thang" just wasn't happening for me. What gets me is all the motivational music that you have to get you in the mood for decorating. All one has to do is pop in Nat King Cole, Mariah Carey, or whatever your preference, and KABOOM! You have instant impetus to string lights on...anything!

So where is my motivating music to take it all down? What, no jingling bells? I need some motivation! My sister shared her play list for motivational housecleaning music. It included (mostly) hits from the '90's, uh, remember the Spin Doctors? There was some old school gospel jamz from New Jersey Mass Choir and Dean Martin. Yes, Dean Martin. The whole housecleaning soundtrack I get. But what does one do to deconstruct a feeling? Did I mention twinkle lights? Who wants to take away the twinkles? Not me. If I have to do it I want to feel like I have a cause in mind. That by keeping the tree up I'm causing harm to my children's psyche. Or perhaps that I'm causing the allergen count in my house to multiply times ten. The trouble with that logic is that if it was true, I would never put the blasted thing up in the first place. But those twinkle lights! If I was not such a sucker for those twinkle lights!

I'm coming to my point here: Is there enough motivational music out there to deconstruct the human will? I'm talking about repentance here. I know we have a gazillion praise songs in our repertoire. We have worship songs on our song lists that make me want to cry by just humming the opening refrain. Incredible songs that create the atmosphere for worship. I understand the concept of praise for all who breathe and that it breaks down the walls to allow us to come into the inner court of worship. The soundtracks for that are immense. But are there enough songs that reveals the dirt behind surface decoration? Gorgeous songs. Songs that drip with majesty. But are there enough songs that say, "Your tinsel is out of place now. The twinkles are insignificant. There's dust on the baubles. And it's time to make a change."

Perhaps this is for the songwriters and psalmists to tackle. Which leads me to my next question (look for it in March): Is there a difference between songwriters and psalmists? I'm going to go unplug my tree now. Each small step brings me that much closer...

Liminality

I was leading song service last night, #172, He Set Me Free. As I went through the three verses, I came closer and closer to singing the notes as written, until finally, on the third verse, got almost the whole verse correctly sung. And the whole congregation was singing it the way we always sing it, that is, differently than written.

Would that instead of "smartphones" we had "smarthymnals" (songbooks, if you will) that would rewrite the notes in the book to match the notes being sung by the congregants.

I reminded myself of my initial response to "Apostolic" music. It's been almost 13 years so the specifics may be a little off . . . I do not relive the memories to criticize. These are more memories of how I experienced it as an outsider looking in. Now that I have the "insider" view I have a completely different viewpoint.

Too loud and too repetitive. The music and the preaching. The only respite from the cacophony is the altar music.

Come on, do you really have to sing the same chorus fourteen times in a row?

Oooooh- kay. You're all singing this chorus and supposedly I am expected to sing along but I don't know the words or the melody. Maybe that's why you're singing it so many times.

Having come from a culture of music reading, I do not understand this "just listen, you'll pick it up as we go." Adding to this misery bordering on the criminal, you don't even sing the same songs the same way each time. I mean, how does the melody go, exactly??

And eventually, there was choir. No written music. Just pick out the tenor part based on the third part down from "lead."

WHAT?? This is craziness. Surely you can't be serious. Really??

Oh yes. Not only are we serious, we actually consistently have a nice three part choir.

But what is the correct part?

It really doesn't matter what notes you sing as long as they sound agreeable and you don't stick out. And it would be nice if all the tenors are singing the same thing. But if you can't pick out your part or it's too high for you, just sing it an octave down, or sing lead an octave down.

In sum, there is no wrong way to sing "Pentecostal" -- except not to sing at all. But please try to sing in tune. And with a modicum of respect to traditional harmony or else sing vewy qwiet.