The character and style of our worship services has changed dramatically over the last decade. If I were to look back exactly 10 years ago to our services in 1999, they would be drastically different (with the exception of the classic service) than they are today. Even looking back five years you would see some pretty dramatic differences. This evolving pattern of change in worship has been greatly influenced by the megachurch movement in our culture. As the megachurches go, so goes the mid-sized to even small churches. They say that imitation is the most sincere form of flattery; however, there may be some disturbing elements to that truth when it is applied to the culture of worship in our churches. I speak now not just about our own congregation but the vast majority of small to mid-sized congregations in the US. In their book Beyond Megachurch Myths Scott Thumma and Dave Travis comment on the worship environment that is generally characteristic of megachurches:
"The culture of the worship service encourages everyone to "come as you are". There are low, and often almost no, boundaries between where the church's ministries start and the world's influences end. The distinctions between secular and sacred are often minimal at best. Such blurring is easily seen in the use of technology and pop cultural influences in the services. Recent movies are often used as examples in sermons; contemporary Christian music in the service could easily be heard on the radio or at a Grammy Awards show. Worship is undertaken in part to entertain, to entice, to excite and to inspire. The congregation is a mix of the committed and the spectator, the saint and the seeker." (see page 16)
There are a couple of very disturbing statements here - do they bother you as well? Are we comfortable with the lack of "boundaries between where the church ministries start and the world's influences end"? Perhaps for the seasoned believer, the one who is able to discriminate between the two worlds, there is an ability to compartmentalize. As a veteran believer and someone who has been around churches all my life, I understand that what we are doing to is help both believer and non-believers make a connection to God through mediums that they are already familiar and comfortable with. I could compare it this way - if I were to walk into an Greek orthodox church on a Sunday morning I would probably have a pretty hard time relating to the worship. I would probably be even somewhat uncomfortable with what was being done. It would most likely hinder and impede my ability to truly worship. In my own worship environment I'm comfortable with the process, the elements of worship, the style, etc., so that I can focus and concentrate on the act of worship.
It is when we worship leaders, praise team members, and others involved in the worship process are simply mimicking the world for recognition, for pride and the sake of our own egos that we run into serious problems. Are we just trying to impress? Who are we trying to impress? Is our worship focused horizontally or is it focused vertically? There are a great many pitfalls, snares and traps in the ministry area called worship. It is a dangerously narrow tightrope that we walk.
Then there is that comment, it actually makes me begin to sweat - that worship is "undertaken in part to entertain, to entice, to excite and to inspire." Two of those words I'd like to burn and two I can live with in the proper context. If what we are communicating in our worship is considered "entertainment" then we have seriously lost our way. Worship and entertainment are not words that mix well. Worship is focused on the divine; God does not desire or require us to entertain Him. Entertainment is for someone to observe; worship is for someone to participate in. And why would I need to "entice" you to worship? The word itself is used more often in a negative connotation than a positive one. Why do we need to lure someone in to worship? Worship leaders are not there to coax you, or lure you, or attract you; they are they simply to facilitate what should already be the desire of your heart.
The threat to our worship culture is that we have lost the skill of discernment. Knowing exactly why we do what we do, and doing it in such a way so as to insure that our worship is vertically directed, divinely anointed, and humbly offered. Discernment to be able to avoid the traps of enticement. Discernment to be able to quelch the insatiable egos. Discernment to keep a proper, God-honoring perspective to everything that we do.
Yes, our worship culture is being threatened. How do you say we've done in answering that threat? Share your thoughts!
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4 comments:
Yes, our worship culture is being threatened. How do you say we've done in answering that threat? Share your thoughts!
I just watched a DVD of LCBC in Lancaster from a friend of mine who attends there. I was blessed by the music and lyrics, but did feel that overall it was abit "showy" and out of the contemporary christian cookie cutter box in the style of southern mega church kitchens Atlanta and Houston. I enjoy being "entertained" by Christian artist at times, but I wouldn't want that to be the focus in a church service by any means. Even though I gravitate towards the newest Christian music in what I listen to daily, I like a mix of old and the new where I worship, everything in moderation. I think that we do a good job of mixing fast, upbeat, with slow and reverent. Not to say that slow and reverent needs to be old standards and classics though, because as we all know they were all new at one point.
"Recent movies are often used as examples in sermons;"I know that our church has done this before, but I'm not sure that this is necessary to have an effective "relative" media for communication, especially taking clips from movies that are not the most edifying. Not to seem holier-than-thou as I have seen the ones that were used, but this could be misconstrued as though the church is condoning them.
"Contemporary Christian music in the service could easily be heard on the radio or at a Grammy Awards show."
Do we want to go here? Is is better to have a form of Christian music on the radio or not at all? Because a song is on a secular radio station, does it make it less "Christian"? One could akin this to the movies as well with Fireproof and Facing the Giants, both Christian movies that were released nationally in the theaters. Just posing some more questions, not necessarily my opinion on these.
Luke
As always-- this blog causes a "pause and reflect" reaction in me. I think Luke hits the mark (Matthew and John too) (sorry for that one), but its a tough line to walk. I want to play well and contribute to the worship, but absolutely dont want to be part of a "show". We cannot lose the perspective of the fact that its a priveledge to serve in this capacity and must keep a "humble heart".
We (PT) are called to lead in worship at CBC. That's our responsibility... I believe we all take it very seriously. And, it should be and is relevant. Playing & singing live music with excellence is part of inspiring the congregation to actually worship in spirit and truth. Most of this excerpt that you quote, Ray, is about preferences. This is an old argument! Having said that, I do believe we have to continue to evaluate and consider music that is relevant and inspiring, and that includes our "style". The lyrics of the songs are most important! The style is just a preference. It's hard to know these peoples hearts. Are they judging effectiveness? We can only know our own hearts and motivations. What are they saying, if we wear jeans we are close to being worldly (too close)? If our neighbor comes in shorts in the summer, are we blurring the world and church together? I do not get this!!! We are not enticing them with worldly things, are we? I think it is our "hearts" motivation that matter. We are being relevant and non-judgemental, because we know that's what Jesus would do. It's not about what we wear, or how we look. When you walk into our services, you know it's church because of the subject matter. The style is not worldly or crossing some made up boundary, it's a preference of our people. I could go on and on... Sorry if it sounds like a rant! John
Sadly, since this is a week old, I doubt many will read it...but here's my two cents!
"The culture of the worship service encourages everyone to "come as you are".
:: If this is referring to the heart - Hmm. Sounds very Jesus-like actually. Authenticity is a good thing, isn't it? Max Lucado said it best: "Jesus loves you just the way you are...but refuses to leave you that way." If it's referring to externals/clothes/etc - I can't believe we are still having this argument! Is there ANY New Testament dress code out there that I'm just not aware of? Modesty, but other than that...well, I've yet to find one. The people that were obsessed with dressing to a certain level were called "Pharisees." I don't think I want to be in that category!
"There are low, and often almost no, boundaries between where the church's ministries start and the world's influences end. The distinctions between secular and sacred are often minimal at best."
:: I'm generally more irritated when people try to distinguish - as in, I'm one way on Sunday and another the rest of the week. Paul seemed to think EVERYTHING is spiritual - even "eating and drinking" can be acts of worship. Why do we insist on a dichotomy?
"Such blurring is easily seen in the use of technology and pop cultural influences in the services. Recent movies are often used as examples in sermons;"
:: Hmm. Again, sounds a lot like Jesus, and Paul for that matter. Jesus was a master of using illustrations from the culture, and even used a theatre reference! (Ironically, the aforementioned "Hypocrite" reference - the word came from theatre and carries the idea of wearing masks and hiding your true self - Matt 23). Paul even uses a song written to Zeus by a secular poet and applies it to God! (Mars Hill, Acts 17...we use this in "Let the Praises ring!")
"contemporary Christian music in the service could easily be heard on the radio or at a Grammy Awards show. Worship is undertaken in part to entertain, to entice, to excite and to inspire."
:: Hmm. Not even remotely concerned here... perhaps the issue is word choice. In terms of quality, if we are truly using our gifts to the best of our ability, hopefully it is BETTER than the Grammys - we aren't going after a little trophy, but our communicating our worship to the almighty God who deserves nothing less than our best. Check out Malachi 3. As for entertain, you're right, it is strongly connected to "observation." Didn't we have a "special" on Sunday? Didn't we observe/listen in during the message? You can observe and be engaged simultaneously...ever been to a Sixers game? I think it would be worse if it was boring. As for entice...substitute the synonym "encourage." I WANT to encourage people to worship the almighty God - to LEAD them to that place, to encourage (entice) them to engage fully.
"The congregation is a mix of the committed and the spectator, the saint and the seeker." (see page 16)
:: Isn't that a good thing? Would you prefer all of one or the other? I love the quote "I'm just a begger telling another begger wear to find bread."
Jeremy
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