More Thoughts on Corporate Worship
My absolute favorite illustration for worship leading is an analogy shared by Gerrit Gustafson. Gerrit is a teacher, and also one of the founding members of Integrity Music.
“So then, men ought to regard us as servants of Christ.” I Corinthians 4:1
Scenario 1: You have received an invitation to dine with a distinguished community leader. On the appointed day, you anxiously arrive at the massive entrance to his palatial estate, ring the bell and wait. Immediately you are greeted by a gracious butler who takes your coat, puts you at ease with just the right words of how glad the host is that you have come, and escorts you down the hallway to the presence of the revered and generous host. After greetings and introductions, a great feast begins…
Scenario 2: Same invitation… same palatial estate… same massive entrance. This time, however, the butler, after taking your coat, strikes up a conversation with you in the foyer about the weather, his health, what his children want to study when they go to college, and so forth. You’re drawn into the conversation, and after a lengthy and engaging chat you take your coat and go home. On the way home, you come to an alarming realization: you never saw the host!
Why do I keep coming back to song selection? I have found in all my time leading worship that the single greatest indicator of what will inhibit or allow someone to participate in worship is feeling connected. If you think about life in general it’s mostly true as well. If you come to a new church, small group, sports team or social scene the number one thing that makes most people feel uncomfortable is not knowing anyone, not being CONNECTED. This of course changes quickly with time. However, I have listened to feedback on worship leading since 2002 when I had my first large event leading worship for a high-school retreat and from then until know, the absolute most common encouragement or praise and complaint has been something like… “wow you actually played songs i know” … or “could you play something I know”. I think the reason I feel so strongly about this and probably something to my detriment (not introducing enough new songs) is because I know that human beings desire the familiar. I even made a survey back in 2003 when I had learned a large schlew of worship songs and had the entire college group I went to fill it out. I simply wanted to serve them and make sure I had their input on the worship song selection.
HOWEVER, there is a balance. Everyone’s favorite song had to be new at some point… I love new music with a tremendous amount of passion and I listen to it generally ALL day every day, as I work from home. When I hear a “Christian” worship song that gives me chills and continues to move my heart time and time again, that is simple (easy for the average person to learn), has a strong message of exalting God then I take notice.
In my time of leading worship I have introduced songs, for the FIRST time at church that blew the doors of the place with the amount of Holy Spirit inspired connection and participation. Some of these songs, right out of the gate become instant “classics” at our church. The entire church immediately from the first, to every other time played connects with God. Other songs I have played once and seen a blank look coming back to me from the body. You can call it an off day for the band, an off day for the church or whatever. But the more I think about it I really do think that some songs carry the Holy Spirit on their wings more than others. Who knows though because I thought “Healer” had that God “mojo” until I found out the guy who wrote it lied about his entire cancer story and how he wrote the song… so who knows.
Let me emphasize the point I’m trying to make is NOT new songs as much as it is connection with God. I have found that if you introduce something new to people you have to have an extra level of special care, explaining the song briefly, the parts, what’s coming, what the song means to you (again briefly) and carefully lead them through. Like a butler taking someone through a house they have never been. If you have been to the house and you know the route the butler can just turn around and say follow me. But if you’ve never been there and there are a few complicated parts or it’s a little confusing the first time it can help to have him turn around and say … now watch for this and do this right here.
Goodness this is getting long… I’m realizing as I go that I keep thinking of more things to add so I’ll try to wrap up this rant if I can.
God is amazing. Worship is a gift and a blessing that God gives us to connect with Him. It just so happens in our modern ipo-ized culture that music is more important than ever. How awesome that we get to do something we love already like sing and play music and mix that with worshiping and connecting with God. I’m tremendously thankful everyday that God gives me the ability to serve in His kingdom, especially in worship. I try not to take it for granted, though I know I probably do daily as well… sigh. At the end of the day, all we can do is our best with what God gives us, live honest lives full of integrity and trust God for the rest. Praise God for being able to shape and craft the minds of youth for God’s kingdom.
