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?