Thoughts before coffee on the weekend...

SUNDAY MORNING SERVICE

I want to invite you to come to a little hypothetical church service. We are going to start this service by following the example shown us in Psalm 100. We are led in this journey by a group of skillful musicians and singers who fill up an entire platform that is raised slightly above the level of the rest of the congregation. There are even spotlights for the lead singers on certain songs. When we have lingered in the presence of God for a little while, the platform begins to empty and a preacher steps behind the pulpit to deliver the Word. As we listen, our hearts are convicted, and we are moved to repentance and rededication as the minister closes his sermon. The atmosphere is set by a beautiful song of consecration that is sung by singers and played by musicians who have once again filled the platform to do their ministry.

Someone recently said to me that they felt their praise team was more about performance than ministry. I asked them what it was that made them feel this was the case, and they responded by saying that it might be the lights. The lights? So if you take away the lights, then you will have worship and not just performance? I wonder if you removed those singers from the center of the platform and your focus was forced away from human activity if you would still feel they were simply performing? 

We have spent many sermons and workshops admonishing musicians and singers to not think more highly of themselves than they ought to think. When we are done with our preaching, we push them right back out in front of everyone and say, "lead us in worship." We put them on display and hope that they do not disappoint us by appearing anything less than enraptured by the presence of God. 

SEEKERS OF PRE-EMINENCE

I wonder if we removed the singers from the front of the church if I would still have the same talentless people try out for choir and ensemble? If the drummer was no longer in front of everyone's face every week, would we still have a waiting list for drum lessons, and only one new drummer added to the music department in two years? If the congregation and ministry didn't stare at the singers and musicians during worship, would we still hear so much about carnality and pride in the music department? Maybe, I don't know, I am just thinking. 

I am so fed up with musicians who do not practice during the week. I am tired of having to explain to someone that their vocal abilities are not something we want to display with a microphone only to have them say that their "passion" is music ministry. There are too many people who have a desire to be on the platform, but their weekly musical activity is limited to midweek rehearsal and Sunday morning service. 

I want to turn the focus from platform visibility and turn it towards musical excellence, diligence, and sacrifice. I believe if we made a collective effort to do so, we would see less accepted musical mediocrity, which is another of my pet peeves. I believe we would see the music department gain more respect from the pastor. I believe that the music team itself would start to understand the importance of their role and responsibilities.

SUMMARY

Just thinking out loud... technically it is not out loud... I haven't read it out loud...