As I bring this series to a close I'm afraid that I've identified more questions than answers. I have heard of and witnessed several approaches to "all generations" worship and none of what I have seen has been completely successful. I don't like the idea of separate services; they only serve to further segregate the generations. But let's face it. Most people who lead worship today in our growing suburban churches are leading contemporary songs. Many pastors, trying not to alienate anyone, advocate a "mix". Usually this means that the contemporary worship leader is forced to sing a hymn or two to pacify the old folks (translated: consistent tithers). What tends to happen is one of two things: One, when the hymn is sung the old folks over-respond to demonstrate how this music moves people more than that new stuff and if we would just go back to the old stuff we could really see a move of God like we used to see. Then they stand stone-faced and unmoved during the contemporary songs.Or two, the contemporary worship leader dresses up the old song with newer chords, rythmns and phrasing, and it becomes just as unsingable as the new songs they already don't know. The mix doesn't satisfy when its' intent is to pacify strong personalities and their preferences. The issue is much deeper than the song selection.
On the other hand, the contemporary devotees are quick to say that the older folks should "get on board or get out of the way" and make it appear that only the old are stuck on their music. But let it be known that a traditional group is coming to perform, and it will be very difficult to find a young person in the house. They are just as guilty of being snobby about their music, and have decided that only music written by a select cadre of contemporary worship artists and written in the past 10 years can usher in the presence of God. That is every bit as wrong as the belief that God only speaks through southern gospel music. (I've actually heard that assertion.)
My travels to other countries has taught me much about the banality of style preferences in regard to connecting with God in music. I've been in a tiny church dug back into a hill in Peru where a tambourine was the only instrument. I not only couldn't understand the words, the tunes were not familiar to me either. But as I watched the faces of the out of tune singers as they lifted up the name of Jesus, I couldn't stop the tears from flowing because the presence of God was so heavy in the place. I have witnessed the same thing in Nepal, Russia, Suriname, Cuba and other places. Where there is a hunger to connect with the God of all creation who desires to inhabit the praises of His people, God shows up. When there is a desire for a concert, a concert shows up. When God shows up, no one critiques the music. At a concert, everyone is entitled to their opinion.
I believe that everyone should have an opportunity during a weekly service to throw their head back and sing a song they already know. The reason is not that the songs we know are better than songs we don't know, but worship is all about release. Releasing our troubles and aggravations for a few moments and feeling the sweet presence of God. This is difficult to do when you are attempting to learn a new melody and words. This should be an easy thing for pastors and worship leaders to agree on. The quality of the concert is secondary to the quickening of the Spirit. And there should be great sensitivity to the specifics of a local congregation. Remember that you are leading, not herding your flock. If you're leading, but no one is following, you are just out for a walk. I've found few who were truly obstinate about their music style. Most are afraid of being marginalized, or they have a desire to connect with God again, and think that returning to the forms which were in use when their relationship was new and fresh is the way to reawaken it. Sadly, multi-generational churches are rare because of the insensitivity or lack of wisdom of church leaders; both pastors and worship leaders. As a pastor, it is my desire and fervent belief that Jesus is Lord of all, and he can connect with all, even when they are in the same room.
As Rodney King said, "Can't we all just get along?"
2 comments:
Randy,
I agree with you wholeheartedly that worship (as we've seen it done) is powerful, but much if not most of the time its power is not harnassed in a way that brings glory to God by shaping us into a Christ-like loving community! Anything but!
IMO, if we're truly going to reform worship in our churches, we have to honestly assess what is actually happening and not happening in our services. Yes, there is potential for great good, but how often are we in fact tapping that potentional?
I'm actually not sure worship is really all about release. Perhaps it is first and foremost about submission ? Worship is not so much what I want to give to God as it is giving to God what God asks, right? I mean, think of the Cain-Able story. Cain's "worship" was "release," but unacceptable nontheless! The same is true of the Corinthians' worship as Paul describes it in 1 Corinthians. In fact, he insists that they stop releasing and instead control their speech for the building up of others ("prophecy")? I think there is a place for release in worship, but it has to be carefully ordered.
If I can't take up my cross in a worship service, then where could I possibly find the strength to take it up? If I can't suffer with Christ in this setting, then what kind of disciple am I?
I love these posts on worship! Here are some of my thoughts.
"The way into the future, is not an innovative new start for the church; rather, the road to the future runs through the past."
Robert E. Webber, Ancient Future Time
The body of Christ at large often looks for ways to make our faith
look relevant to the modern world. What we sometimes forget in this
pursuit is that the value of something new is measured in part by how much it is rooted in the “old” or the timeless.
Anything that is simply “new” is destined to become outdated. All
things grow old. Something being old in and of itself doesn’t mean it
no longer has worth. In the simplest terms, it just means that time has passed. It is our own pre-conceived notions; the connotations we attach that communicate a “value lost over time” equation. On the contrary, we
aren’t talking about a used car. What we’re talking about can’t lose
value. It won’t perish, spoil, or fade(1 Peter 1:4). At the very root
of who we are as believers is a hope that some might call “old”. I
prefer, eternal, everlasting.
I love new songs, new melodies, new styles of music, and new modes of
technology for delivering them. But, let us not forget as we explore the new, to stay rooted in the everlasting, that is to say: deep thoughts of God rooted in his word.
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