NEGATIVITY THAT I FOUND USEFUL THIS WEEK (LEMONADE FROM THE LEMONS)

"OTHER" BLOGS

Ragamuffinsoul.com posted a question a couple of months ago that asked the question "What is the biggest gripe you have about something a Sunday worship leader does?" Replies were being posted up until a couple of weeks ago. 

There were many responses, some carnal, some mean, but most were variations on a simple truth, that the worship leaders in question distracted the congregation from the primary purpose of a "worship service". That primary purpose being that the congregation gathers to magnify Jesus so that His presence fills the atmosphere, and all are changed by a sacred meeting between a holy God and sinful man. Music is a powerful tool in this setting. We all spend large quantities of time preparing ourselves and our teams for these occasions every week.

In the midst of the discussion about this subject there was a quote posted that I have adopted as one of my mantras. There was no name given, only that a wise music director once said, "Leading worship is the art of removing distraction."

My mind began to race in a thousand different directions. I wondered what I do that is distracting, I wonder what I do to remove distractions. I decided to list my own pet peeves about various services I have attended over the years and work from there. 

MY LIST OF DISTRACTIONS

1. I am distracted by poorly performed song selections, pitchy vocals, and leaders ill equipped to do ad libs.

2. I am distracted by worship "flow" that is interrupted with announcements, greetings, and what I like to call "Pentecostal Liturgy".

3. I am distracted by poorly planned song sets which result in abrupt key changes, awkward tempo transitions, and subject matter that jars me out of sacred moments.

All of these things run interference with my pursuit of intimacy with God. What was meant to facilitate an encounter with the Creator becomes distracting noise. 

SELF REFLECTION

This critical assessment of music ministries in other churches has forced me to examine my own practices in planning and implementing song sets. Am I distracting people with my offering? Am I removing distractions and steering the congregation into a God moment? What are my motives, my intentions?

I'd love to hear some feedback from readers on what you find distracting about your Sunday service. I'd also love to know what you find does aid in removing the distractions around you in the same setting.