TWO CENTS

Here is a very important axiom - a truth, if you will - that not many of us remember, practice or even realize...

Opinion in no way dictates the validity or quality of art.

Now, somewhere, someone is nodding their head in agreement.  And you should! But the reality is that all of, now and again, forget how true this is.

We forget it when we make a face of disgust over a music style we don't like, or an artistic performance that we don't ebrace, or a film script we consider weak... and with that air of disagreement comes the added inference that the work itself is "not good."  I mean, how could it be good if, clearly, I don't care for it?  (You and I both know people like this... maybe us!) 

I happen to have a very low regard for the artwork of Jackson Pollock.  I'm sure he was a creative genius and his works of art carried great meaning.  I just happen to not like them.  My opinion is that they do nothing for me.  On the other hand, the work of Dali or Picasso holds great interest for me. My opinion is that these artist's works are wonderful, certainly better than Pollock.  

I feel the same way about Mozart. I could listen to his musical works forever.  Not so much the musical compositions of Brahms.  My opinion is that Mozart's music is better than the music of Brahms.

But, is it?  Is Mozart "better" than Brahms?  Is Picasso or Dali "better" than Pollock?  What weight does my opinion carry regarding the quality or validity of any one art form over another?

Bringing this into the realm of church music - where opinions are as varied as the individuals who hold them... if someone's opinion is that modern praise songs are pointless, or that traditional hymns are irrelevant, does that opinion validate the quality of the art?  Most people who disdain a hymn or a modern song of praise share their opinion with an air of superiority - as if THEY have been selected by God Himself to dictate what type of music is "correct" for worship to the exclusion of whatever music form they find less worthy of inclusion - - based on their opinion.

Friends - that is nothing less than pure arrogance.

On the other hand, a theologian might consider the lyrical content of a song (hymn, praise song, etc.) and determine that, based on the language of the text, the song in question does not line up with Christian doctrine and, therefore, probably should not be sung as a "worship song."  This is not an opinion - this is based on education and study of scripture.  They may have an opinion that the continuous repetition of a song is monotonous but that opinion has nothing to do with the truth of the lyrical content.  If they base their decision to eliminate a song on their opinion, then they have completely side-stepped the truth in deference to their personal agenda.  

Of course, sadly, there are some songs from our hymn traditions as well as from our modern collection that simply rub up against theological truth and, therefore, probably should not be included in a worship service regardless of how well-loved they are or how easy it is to tap our toes and clap our hands to the beat.  And if that decision is based on theology then we're good to go. 

We need to be very careful with how much weight we give our opinions of the creative art forms God has blessed us with.  There are some songs that will never be included on the Air-1 or K-Love playlist and that is most likely because they are not "hooky" enough to earn money.  In no way, however, does that mean such a song has no place in a worship service.  My opinion might be that the song "doesn't go anywhere" or "is boring" or "sounds the same as other songs."  And, to be honest, it probably will!  That's part of the unfortunate "Contemporary Christian Worship Song" machine that has been developed and applauded over the past several decades.  But if that song speaks of loving Jesus, calling Him my Lord and Savior, and glorifying Him, then that song has value - no matter what my opinion of it might be.

All of this to say - perhaps it's time to put our two-cents into the offering plate - where it belongs.

IT'S ALL IN THE PLANNING

The verse is familiar.

Jeremiah 29:11 - "For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord.  "Plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you a hope and a future."

And, from where I sit,  those are dang good plans!  In fact, most of us who read that verse, or have heard sermons about that verse, find ourselves landing on the content of those plans... that part about prospering, and not being harmed... about finding hope and a future... sounds good to me!  I'm fully on board with prosperity, safety, hope and a future. Sign. Me. Up!  

Yet, the other day, I found myself suddenly focusing on the first part of that verse... the part about "the creation of the plans."  And, it occurred to me that - God is the one who has the plans in mind.  

Not us.  Not me. 

We don't make the plans. God does. 

God actually tells us in this verse that He KNOWS the plans that HE has for us.  That is utterly amazing. So simple and, yet, so easily missed.

I don't know about you, but, I am always creating lists of my "plans" for the day.  I do this every day. Some of those plans are rather mundane... go to the post office, buy some milk, check the pressure in the tires... But some of those plans are far bigger.  Currently, one of my plans is to "find the next job" because (if you've been reading my previous posts) I have been laid off from my church job for budget reasons. 

This verse reminds me, however, that God is the one who not only HAS the plans ready for me, He also knows them and - will even set them in motion!

I guess what I'm saying is that, it doesn't take a degree in rocket science to realize that if I want to know God's plans for me, then I need to spend time asking Him to reveal them!  

Which might mean I hold off on my own list for a day or two...

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT

I had the opportunity to share some closing thoughts yesterday to the church where I have faithfully served for nearly four years.  (for those just joining us, I was released from my position due to budget cuts).  

I received many encouraging comments about what I shared and, so, I decided to offer an abridged version here on my blog for those who missed it. 

First - I thanked the church for their love and support.

Then I reminded everyone that earlier in the service we had all made a vow, via reciting The Lord's Prayer.  Basically we affirmed that God is the Almighty ruler of all and that He is to be hallowed. Then I reminded us, as the prayer does, that it's God's Will - not OURS - that we seek to be "done." We must seek GOD'S will - not our agenda for what we think should be done.  Not our ideas of the correct music, or color of the room, or pastoral leadership - but God's will.  This is true, by the way, for all churches.  Today's church seems sidetracked and eager to do God's work for him, making decisions that tend to be more in line with what we humans want to the point of practically ignoring what God may have for us which (as rumor has it) is ALWAYS better.  

Before I left the platform I responded to the question I've been hearing... "...how do you feel?"  My answer to that question is that I have peace like a river, joy like a fountain and love like an ocean in my soul.  The river is the moving and power of the Holy Spirit.  The joy is Jesus Christ in my life.  The love is as vast as an ocean - that is God's love for us and our love for each other.

Thanks MPC for being my home these past four years. And thanks to the many who I was able to serve within the area of music, worship and the creative arts.  Blessings as you continue in your search for the next Pastoral leadership.

Dan McGowan

August 12, 2019

WATCH YOUR LANGUAGE!

Okay, this post will not be very long.  Just a "thanks" and a "suggestion."

At 62 I find myself seeking whatever is next in terms of a ministry position.  The church in which I have served for 4 years has suddenly found itself losing members and money (this happens in churches, sadly).  Bottom line - few key positions have been cut - one of them being mine.

So, the search has begun.  

My primary role in churches has been leading music and worship, so that's my starting point. The quest has been a little confusing and somewhat disheartening mainly due to the current climate of Christian churches today and the lack of clarity in job descriptions.

So, first, I want to very honestly say "thank you" to those churches who clearly state in their job description that they are specifically seeking younger, hipper, edgier, stage-savvy musicians with a knack for being up-front and performing their worship leading.  Truly - this is helpful!  Because it saves me (and you) from wasting time submitting resumes for a ministry position I neither want nor am qualified for based on the call sheet.

I also want to thank the churches who have the courage to admit that they are seeking a quality musician who is less interested in performing and more interested in helping the congregation discover a depth to the worship encounter through music and other elements.  Because that is me and I gladly send off my resume to those churches. 

Then, my suggestion - to all the churches out there who offer ambivalent or "expected and appropriate" wording that says one thing but means another - at least when the interview arrives...  Please go back and re-write your job listing!  You are doing a disservice to your church and music and worship leaders out there who are seeking their next ministry position.  Don't beat around the bush.  Just honestly say who you are and what you are looking for.  

Thanks!

Okay, back to the ministry job search...

AHHHHHHHH

Recent life events have caused me (forced me?) to pay attention to an area of my life that I have struggled with over these past several decades.  It is the issue of contentment. Or, more to the point, my lack of contentment.  Even more direct - my inability to choose contentment in the various situations I find myself in.  And it is only because of the minimal amount of growth I have seen in that area up until recently that my eyes have been opened to observe a persistent lack of contentment with some of my fellow followers of Christ and, in particular, how we approach the weekly gathering called "a worship service."

Many of us (I won't say "most" because nobody like hyperbole) seem to struggle constantly with a sense of contentment when it comes to the worship services in our churches.  Some of that lack of contentment comes from the comparison game - we look around at the nearby popular churches and wish our church could be just as popular.  Or, we have our own agendas and ideas of what would make our church "better" or, dare I say it, "perfect."  

The list is long and, almost, endless.  But here's a short list:

The songs are too fast / the songs are too slow / the songs are repeated too much / the music is too loud / the words on the screen are too small / why can't we sing hymns / why can't we hold the hymnals in our hands / the guitar player is too showy / the singer is pitchy / the room is too light / the room is too dark / the service time is too early / the service time is too late / I can't stand for 3 songs / we need more art / communion takes too long - - - - - - shall I go on?

Some actually believe (they have told me) that God will be "better worshiped" if the items on that above list were "fixed."  Newsflash - God doesn't give a hoot if the slides don't flip on time and he is not "better worshiped" by a stellar musician who is up there for the "gig."  God cares about the heart. And before you start whining about "excellence" please research the Bible and do a word study on "excellence" and "skill" as they are used in the famous passages always tossed about.  You might be surprised...

Why is it we are simply not content with the manner in which our church leaders put together the worship gathering?  If you read the previous post, another question might be - why are we focusing on the fingers and missing the masterpiece?  

Well, this is going to sting but I believe it is true...

The reason we are not content with the worship service is because we are not content with God.  

Yes, we think we are.  We said the prayer.  We teach Sunday school and have been since the Roosevelt administration.  Or we go to modern church camps that offer a fantastic worship show during the week or listen to the fantastic Christian music playing on Christian radio and then come home to our "average" church musicians and we feel let down.   

Right before Jesus was killed... stop, read that again.  RIGHT BEFORE JESUS WAS KILLED.  What was he doing?  Was he pacing around looking for a way out of his situation?  No, he was not pacing around.  Yes, he did pray that if there was any possibly way for God to stop it, then please do it, Father.  But he made that statement with a spirit and heart and attitude of contentment in his situation. He was in a garden praying.  A few hours later he'd be hung on a cross to die.  

The only way to find contentment in whatever situation we face is to first find contentment with God.  And that is far more than hanging a fish on the trunk of your car.  

Challenge - this next Sunday when you go to your church, pray first - at home, in the car, on the walk up to the doors - pray that God gives you the gift of total contentment. Make the choice to not make one comment about anything you feel is "wrong."  When that thought arrives, kick it to the curb and remember that it did not come from God.  (So, where did it come from?  Yep, that's right!)  Leave that thought or comment where it belongs - smoldering in the fire and ashes of hell.  And then - shift your focus, adjust your vision, align yourself with God, Jesus and the power of the Holy Spirit.

Choose to be content.