Continuing on the topic of distractions in worship services, I'll share a few things that have been distractions to me and see if any of them resonate with you.
First, where music is concerned, there are some songs that are negatives for me. For the most part they are songs that I feel have just been over sung - songs, you know them, that became big hits in the church, so much so that it feels like we sung them every other Sunday for a decade, and now I feel like if we never sing them again, it will be too soon. Here's a partial list (keep in mind, this is my opinion, okay?): As The Deer, Lord We Lift Your Name On High, Shout To The Lord, The Family Prayer Song, These Are The Days of Elijah, Our God Is An Awesome God, and Celebrate Jesus. For me, it is very hard to heartily join in with songs like this, I find myself tired of them.
Secondly, where leaders are concerned, there are times when people do catch my attention. For the most part I close my eyes a lot as we sing and praise the Lord. But, excessive movements do catch my eye occasionally. At Christ's Church, I know the hearts of all of our musicians, so it is not so much a problem here at home for me (in other words, if I know movement is a part of the expression of praise and worship in someone, then I have no problem with it - I myself find tapping my foot or moving to music a part of who I am). It is when I don't know someone's heart and see them going, again, in my opinion, a little overboard, that it can become a distraction for me.
Thirdly, when it's done bad, I know it. There is no other way to say this - we are very fortunate to have the leaders and musicians we have at CCA. If you've ever been somewhere where things are not done well, it really can be a distraction. I visited a church once where the music leader seemed confused as to whether he was a worship leader or Prince. I watched him convulse to the music and so on... I couldn't keep myself from giggling at how ridiculous he looked. I visited another church where they had a clown worshiping up front with the team.
What are some of the things that distract you?
Technorati Tags: Interactive Sermon, Worship Music, Clown Worship
Ah, yes. I pretty much agree with you on all 3 points. One song that comes to mind as being over done is "I can only Imagine." As a musician myself, even in secular music, I have never really understood the need to just run a song into the ground. I've pretty much stopped listening even to radio because they play the same few songs over and over and over. The bible even addresses this issue. "Sing a NEW song."
The second point you make, I feel, is a discernment issue. Sometimes it's easy to see the heart of someone even if you don't know the person. Sometimes not. The crowds reaction also comes into play here too. How are the people reacting? Are they worshiping? Do they look like a deer in the headlights.... are they sitting on their hands? Is there any kind of connection? One thing that always bothers me is if the worship leader/team is so "connected" with God that they loose the connection with the congregation.
When it's done badly..... a big one for me. The bible says to "make a joyful noise." It, however, does not say you have to make that joyful noise into a P.A. system! Out of tune instruments, out of tune singers, inexperienced musicians... can really ruin it for me. Another thing that really does it in for me is pastors -- and Darin is not one of these -- who don't put the emphasis on worship the way they should.
In the Old Testament when the people of Israel went into battle it was the musicians who went in before the soldiers. The worshipers lead them into battle. What does that say about worship? When we get to heaven what are we going to be doing? We are going to be worshiping at the feet of our creator and risen Lord for all eternity! We were born/created to worship.
Posted by: Mark Ellison | October 23, 2007 at 07:34 AM
I had the music service in my dad's church and two others in Georgia. I always tried hard to keep my movements to a min simply for the reason you say, I never wanted to be a distraction from what the Holy Spirit was doing.
Great post my friend.
Posted by: bigdadgib | October 25, 2007 at 09:32 AM
Another of the distractions I experience goes one step back to the songs themselves. Songs that are directed both to God and to one another in the same song totally confuse and frustrate me. Similar to this, when a worship leader gets us singing directly to God and aware of Him, he or she takes us to a more horizontal song. Suddenly, I am moved out of His presence. However, when I open my eyes and look around, others still have their hands raised and looking up like they are still singing to God. I then have to find a way to worship "in spite" of what is going on.
Posted by: Jia Yue | December 08, 2007 at 06:12 AM
Great thoughts! As I think of it, I do feel more drawn into and aware of God's presence when worship music leaders are thoughtful in the progression their songs follow.
Thanks to you all for your comments. I look forward to returning to postings on elements of our worship services shortly.
Posted by: Darin Shaw | December 08, 2007 at 11:04 AM