The last few weeks I have been doing a balancing act. I am not much of an acrobat but some how or another I have managed to walk the rope, or what I see as the rope. I continue week in and week out to do my best to put my very best tight rope act together for the Lord. I pray over this walk and I pour out my heart on the idea that it may please Him, and that my heart will be right in such a focus.
My tightrope is our worship service and achieving a balance between traditional and contemporary, I don't even want to talk about seekers or post-moderns.
Of course, that seems to be one of the biggest issues. I see the rope one way others see it another way. There are a huge group of people in our group who say that they want balance and yet they complain when we don't sing primarily traditional songs, there are those who don't think we are doing enough in the world of contemporary songs. You see it doesn't matter what I do with our worship, people don't actually want balance here, they want it "my way." Isn't that sad. When did it become about my way? I can't remeber when that was how it was, I guess I have been naive.
How do other churches deal with this issue? If it were really about balance then we would have no problems, but that isn't it at all is it? Nope Each week I create balance, balance based on true definitions of traditional and contemporary. Not my opinion, an honest unbiased (sort of) look at what balance is and should be. Why is it as people we have decided that it has to be "my way or the highway?"
I recently recieved three "anonymous" notes about this issue. Which I have to be honest, anonymous means nothing to me. Why can't people grab the moxy to come up to me and personally say their feelings, or atleast send me an e-mail. I am quite an accesible dude, which is proven many other things. Back to the notes:
One note said..."Worship isn't just for the young people, we want to sing more songs from the past" Boy, I am thinking that the kids must be loving our rousing versions of "Tis Midnight on Olive's Brow"
The next said..."If you are going to close with a song each week at least close with one that takes us out on high, not one that only a few know." I guess only a few know I'll Fly Away and He Gave me A Song." Huh.
One more said.." Some suggested songs to improve our worship." The list ran the gammit of traditional tunes all of which we sing, just not everytime. Some highlights from the list: O Worship the King (a personal traditional favorite of my own) I Know Whom I have Believed, and other favorites..
See I wish I could put something in their collective suggestion box that says, "Hey, be flexible, give the poor worship leader a break." Or even, "hey, since when was the worship service dedicated to singing the same ten songs all the time....your personal favorites."
My wife suggests that I keep a pitch pipe accesible and then if anyone says anything I can just hand them the pipe and say, "Next Sunday, you're up!"
Anyway, I never really have intended to use my blog for such release of tension, but I have found it quite thrapeutic.
I really would like our leaders to help me with this issue and let our people know that our intention is not to go in a traditional direction. We are a church in Mobile (one of few) who stoill has the ooportunity to do outreach in our worship services, and that needs to be upbeat and encouraging, we have a slim opportunity that we will someday lose.
Any thought from others are totally appreciated, we have been talking a lot about hiring a worship leader, which I thought we might do soon, right now I wish we would hurry up, as I am tired. I do realize I am fighting the battles and preparing the way for someone who will take it to the next level and get us focused in the right way.
Father, thank you for the opportunity to come together and worship you. It is an honor to serve you Lord, may you recieve all glory for what we do. I pray Lord for the hearts of your worshippers and for my heart that whatever heart issue exist, you will cure. Thank you Lord that we may serve and love you! Amen.
Clarissa said...
I think you've hit the nail on the head. Some leadership is required! If the elders and minister come out together and explain that mixing up the styles is to make worship more accessible to your potential outreach groups, that might be quite effective. The old songs, many of them, are quite beautiful. But using some songs that speak the musical language of today goes a long way in bridging gaps with modern (or post-modern) culture. IMHO.
JD said...
Hey Chris! I saw your comment on Wade's blog and followed you over here...I didn't even know you had a blog. Cool! I've read your blog posts from the past few months and alls I can say brother is that we are of a kindred spirit. You keep up the great work and I look forward to keeping up with your blog now.
As for this post, too many people see the church as a Bed and Breakfast where they are to come and be served and find relaxation. If the church is a manifestation of the Kingdom of God, then we come to gather around Him, and we come to become like Him. In doing so, His mission of reaching the lost world is ours. Here are a couple of things I keep coming back to:
*The most receptive person in this world is a young person
*Whatever we can do to reach young people is worth the effort
Now if I can get through with complaining that the table cloth is wrinkled and the chair isn't so comfortable, maybe I can enjoy the meal. We're too tuned in to meaningless hoo-hah ... you've got your eyes in the right place...keep watching Him.
