Five Scary Trends (Pt 3 Worship Worship)

We’re doing a series this week on the Five Scariest Trends that Could Shipwreck the Church. While overall I’m optimistic about the future, I believe we have to be ruthless in our commitment to take the Gospel to those far from God. The Five Trends we’re looking at this week could keep us from that quest. On Monday we looked at Multisite Mania and yesterday was the Reformed Revolution. Let’s dive into Scary Trend Three today:

Worship Worship

I love corporate worship. One of my favorite aspects of working in multisite churches has been visiting multiple worship experiences every weekend. I have participated in as many as six different services in a single weekend, and I love seeing people connect with God through the leadership of a gifted team of singers, musicians and technicians. 

The scary trend, however, is the growing worship of the art of worship. The worship leader/pastor/director/producer has become a rock star. The need for ever-improving technology (“2K Projectors? Yes!!!”) dominates the church budget. The demand for professional musicianship squeezes out the possibility of homegrown talent. On Monday mornings we talk more about the sound quality, the experience, the arrangement than about the jaw dropping recognition of the awesome power of an omniscient God. We are in danger of worshipping the creation more than the creator.

What are we trying to accomplish through musical worship at our weekend services? Is the goal to compete with secular concerts or the mega-church down the street? (Do we really think we can compete with U2? Seriously?) Is excellence the goal regardless the price? Is holding the attention of the occasional attender the aim? Or are we truly focused on worshipping in spirit and in truth?

I'm not saying we need to go back to the good old days of bad sound, marginal talent and torn hymnbooks. I love technology; excellent sound, video and lighting makes me tingle. But the allure of technology, talent and ego could shipwreck what we are really called to do; make God famous. Entertainment, easily and often, can crowd out pure worship. Matt Redman makes my point better than I ever could:

When the music fades and all is stripped away and I simply come 
Longing just to bring something that's of worth that will bless your heart 

I'll bring You more than a song for a song in itself is not what You have required 
You search much deeper within through the ways things appear
You're looking into my heart 

I'm coming back to the heart of worship and it's all about You 
All about You, Jesus 
I'm sorry Lord for the thing I've made it when it's all about You 
It's all about You, Jesus 

Is the worship in our church more about lights, video, pedals, haze and talent, or is it really all about Jesus. When was the last time the music faded away and all that was left was the overwhelming feeling of standing in the presence of a holy God? If we want to see the church prevail in America we may need to move beyond worship of worship and simply humble ourselves before God.

 

Comments

[Ernest Smith]

So true. Great thoughts on worship Pastor Geoff. It is amazing how many are more concerned about attracting people, rather than attracting the presence of God. I know I have fallen into that trap.

[Eric S.]

These are some great thoughts Geoff. I've been reading through Acts and the one thing I'm seeing over and over again is "signs and wonders". It's my prayer that we as a church reaching an over-stimulated generation try and produce an experience that not just inspires people towards God through technology and creativity; but allow room and priority for signs and wonders from above. Only the latter is eternal. Only the latter can really change the world.

[Brett]

It is even scarier when worship leaders fall into the trap of worshiping worship. It becomes our identity and obsession to have 'great' worship. Thanks for the post Geoff.

[David L.]

This is a great piece. I, too believe that there is a very, very thin line between today's worship and entertainment. Worship has become far too "busy," much like modern television, with fast-moving scenes, constant movement, and slick transitions between elements. Good sound is great, but music is often overdone. Two things I absolutely abhor in modern worship are: 1) Constantly-moving graphics on the screen, distracting us from the text of the songs we're singing or the pastor's scriptures/notes; and 2) any musician who thinks that prayer or scripture reading needs an underscore. There is no good in distracting the worshipers from what is being said/prayed/read by doodling around on a keyboard or guitar. These things are very distracting, and steal the attention from the true Subject of our worship. Like television, I truly believe that this constant movement/change before us leads to short attention spans, failure to remember what was said in the service, and even leads to ADHD. Moving worship is valuable, but let's also remember to "Be still and know that I am God."

I will go back and read the first two articles, and look forward to the following two. Thanks, and may all the glory go to our Lord.

[sheila4hastenhome]

Yes, that was my thought, too: "Be still and know that I am God." Christian Berdahl has some excellent material on this subject at shepherdscall.com, too.

Very timely warning.

[Dan Smith]

Our church has music leaders, who are almost all gifted, who lead the church in singing. Isn't this what it should be about? They aren't flashy, they aren't cool, but we never have to figure out where they are in the song because they have started singing it over again somewhere else! The techie running the projection system never has to skip slides to get back on track either. It's great. Mostly, it's just nice to be in a church that values singing songs about and for God.

[Phillip May]

I've seen many articles like this in the past few years. While it is good to "check" ourselves as worship leaders, and try to remain rooted in sincere faith instead of glitz, the fact is that it is always going to be a delicate dance as we continue forward in modern worship services and techniques. Thanks for reminding us again!

[Jim Noyes]

A great take on Worship and the direction it has headed in so many churches. You said it well, Matt Redman's song puts it in perfect perspective. Thanks for a great piece in what has been a great series this week.

[Will Johnston]

I agree that it's a delicate dance.

I'd argue that good music honors God more than bad music. Skilled craftsmen built the tabernacle and temple because the house of God was worthy of the best. God is the ultimate creator and has bestowed a portion of his creative gifts upon us. Using those gifts to the best of our ability honors God.

That said, you're right, there is a pull towards the "perfect" worship experience. While I think quality honors God, so do things like discipleship and investing in others, which sometimes means allowing someone who's still figuring things out to play a role. And yes, there are budget concerns as well...

[RobertP.]

Yes.
And we can be crass. Vulgar. Mean.
But if we wrap it all up by saying:
"It's mall about you, Jesus..."
or,
"It's all about Jesus..."
or sign-off by saying,
"For Jesus' fame,"
then everything's okay.
Right?