PREFERENCE VS. PRESENCE

Pick a style, any style...

Let's be honest - no matter how well we craft our church's vision statement or the "about" portion of our website... in the end, in almost every single case, the way we design our church comes down to a particular style... be it music, decor, lighting, banners, sermon length, flow of the service, etc.  We just live in an age where HOW we "do" church takes the primary role. It's as if we have create a jukebox-type mentality when it comes to our worship gatherings.  Search church websites and you will see this played out over and over and over again in almost every instance. 

Almost. 

I say "almost" because, thank God, there ARE churches out there who seem to have grasped the importance of SUBSTANCE over SHOW.  Or, what I am calling in this blog post, PRESENCE over PREFERENCE.

Along the way on our eons long journey of creating these gatherings that we call "church services" (even though, "church" is simply ALL of us - the collective Christ-following community of believers), we have landed on making our decisions to attend a particular church based on our own preferences - those things that we like; those things we enjoy; those things we feel good aligning ourselves with.  You know, the way one might select a particular health club to join. 

Will I like the music? Do I like the pastor? Is the service time acceptable to me? Is the location suitable? Do they use the latest technology? Do they have a cool website? Do they embrace the arts? Are they too big, too small, too stuffy, too loose, too conservative, too liberal...……………..

Does anyone ever ask... Do they create an environment or atmosphere that will help me draw closer to God, through authentic worship of Jesus, in the power of the Holy Spirit?

Or is that too "old school" these days?

"Preference" is a great way to choose a car, or a hair stylist, or a health food store... you want to find a place or service that meets your needs, and that is wise.  But - - GOD is not a "thing" we select by preference.  And, when we do, we turn God into a commodity - a "thing" that WE pick according to the parameters WE have set up that fit OUR needs.  Narcissism 101. 

Here is the hard truth - - God will ALWAYS fill your needs, when you honestly seek Him first, regardless of the particular setting or "flavor" of the gathering.  His ability to work miracles in your life has nothing to do with HOW a particular churches DOES "their thing..." Likewise, God does not work MORE effectively in a church setting that DOES fit your particular list of wants and wishes.  In fact, I would argue that He works less - or, more correctly - is limited in His ability to work in your life because you are far too focused on some personal agenda that you define as "church." And that simply gets in the way.  Always.  

I once worked with a youth director who said to me on more than one occasion that he could not worship God with the pipe organ.  My answer was, "then you cannot worship God."  I am not saying that you need a pipe organ to worship!  I am saying that his inability to worship God had nothing to do with a pipe organ - and everything to do with his attitude.  

The most important aspect of worship is encountering God's presence.  That's not just my opinion. Flip through the pages of scripture and you will see this truth lived out.  The people in the Bible who worshiped God - both Old and New Testament - did not rely on preferences - but on the presence - of God - through Jesus - in the power of the Holy Spirit.  Now, we can pretend that's not true, or we can pretend that it was only true for "those people way back in the Bible days" - but that only keeps us from truly stepping into the overwhelming, life-transforming presence of God in a way that alters us. 

The thing about "God's presence" (vs. preference) is that when you find it; when you fall into it; when you are immersed in it - there is just no mistaking it for anything other than the presence of God.  And, when that happens, you want nothing else because nothing else will satisfy, fulfill and truly transform you.  I know.  Been there, done that.  Once you encounter the powerful presence of God during an assembly of His people, no amount of slick, highly skilled, well-performed, perfectly timed music, media and tech will ever fully satisfy.  And, here's the rub - you will STILL find something WRONG with the presentation!  (Again, been there, done that...) 

Let me be clear about something - a well-rehearsed and expertly performed "worship set" is not automatically "the presence of God."  "Great Music" does not equal "Great Worship."  Please move away from that shallow thinking!  Listen, if you walk away from a worship gathering commenting on how GREAT the music was - you did NOT worship God.  You worshiped - the music.  If, however, you walk away from a worship gathering and you cannot even remember what songs were sung, or who led that morning, or how long you sang, or if there was a drummer today, etc. but, instead, comment on how you were moved to tears, or how you felt convicted of sin, or realized something about God's never-ending love for you, or something along those lines then I would say - you DID worship God!  Praise Him!  Yes, I realize it is not always so black and white - - but, sadly, the grey areas are growing greyer and greyer each passing year when it comes to our worship gatherings.

So - where do we go from here?  It's all about shifting our focus.  As we enter our places of worship, we all need to remember to focus FIRST on the PRESENCE - - and leave preference to the people at Home Depot trying to figure out what color to paint their Livingroom... 

DOOR NUMBER X

On "Let's Make A Deal," the entire show leads to the chance for the winning player to select between three different doors behind which is a surprise gift. Sometimes, it's a car.  And sometimes, it's a goat eating a bale of hay.  It all comes down to the random choice the contestant makes.  There is really no logic to that choice.  It's based on how they feel in the moment.  You know, like Vegas.  

Now, if there was a clearly defined rule as to how one should make their selection, that might make things easier.  For example, if Door #1 was always green, and you were told that the Green Door is the best one to select, then you would always select Door #1, right?  

What if I told you that, regarding our worship, the Green Door will always lead you to the right place?  Wouldn't you always want to go through that door?  I would.  

But here's what's happened with worship in so many of our churches.  We have not clearly defined what it is.  Most believers think we know what worship is based on our understanding of the Bible.  But even among believers - even mature believers - there continues to be confusion regarding the word, "worship" and how we define, program and chase it. 

The problem is compounded for those who lead in worship, primarily pastor and music or worship leaders.  (Yes, there are even some pastors who are not quite sure what worship is - or - they have simply aligned with the culture to avoid confrontation.) 

The first thing we must do is settle on an accurate definition of the word, "worship."  I have always liked a definition I first heard from Willow Creek church in Barrington, IL.  "Worship is responding to God for all He is with everything we are."  I like how personal and simple that is.  No mention of song styles or worship service length or use of media and other tech.  Just - a full-bodied response (heart, soul, mind and strength) to the God of all we have ever, or will ever, know.  That response can occur with choral music, hymns, moderns songs, rock bands, one guitar player, three people singing a Christian folk tune... how we get there is almost irrelevant.  The most important factor here is that we do, actually, really, authentically, RESPOND to the Almighty God with a heart of surrender and humility giving all that we have to give. 

So, just for clarity - "worship" is NEVER a music style, a hymn, a CCM song, a choir, a band, a prayer or a sermon.  "Worship" is our RESPONSE to God and those things mentioned here (hymn, CCM song, music style, etc.) are HOW we get there.  We are completely missing the focus when we refer to a set of songs, for example, as a "worship set."  A set of songs is only "worship" when those leading and singing are truly surrendering themselves to God, through Jesus in the power of the Holy Spirit.

Which leads me to some important distinctions that needs to be made.  

I believe that, today, in our churches, we have (in general) created four "worship doors" we tend to offer to our congregations.  (Only one of them is the "green" door, btw...)  

WORSHIP PERFORMING

This seems to be the current flavor of choice and we all recognize what this is.  There is a high level of stage presence and near celebrity persona taking place.  Choreographed movements, a band in sync with a click track, the hope to replicate and perform the song as heard on Christian radio, lights and other tech to enhance the stage presentation, etc.  The goal here, it seems to me, is to lure people in following a slick, "American Idol" type experience.  The congregation, (which closer resembles an audience than a true "worshiping congregation") for the most part, watches the "worship concert." If they happen to know the songs, they might sing or clap along.  In the end, this can be a very uplifting enjoyable experience or even show that may or may not actually "worship" God.  That is, of course, between the worshiper and God himself.  Just remember that simply singing a song with the words "God" or "Jesus" in them does not automatically mean you are worshiping.  Just like singing along to a secular song that talks about drugs does not automatically make you a drug addict.  It's all a matter of the HEART that is singing.   

WORSHIP FORCING

I have seen this in a lot of churches.  The worship leadership team feels pressure to replicate what they see on worship song videos from large, mega churches.  They do their best to get their musicians to learn the songs with perfection so they can, again, perform them well.  Then, they launch off into their worship set, telling everyone to stand, singing songs that often times are in keys that most are unable to participate with, which can leave the congregation easily slipping into that first model of Worship Performance - where they became an audience watching the worship team sing for them. This becomes a type of forcing when the worship leader begins offering specific commands into the mic such as "let's all stand now" or "everyone sing louder now."  People don't like to be forced into a mold like that and it has nothing to do with shepherding your flock. 

WORSHIP DIRECTING

This is the term or title that is most often used in churches today.  The lead musician is the church "worship director" which implies that they "lead" the worship.  There are two main problems with this. First, the Holy Spirit actually leads the worship - period.  He does not need our help.  He simply needs us to pay attention to how He is moving (see below).  He decides the direction of the worship as created by the collective and individual spiritual needs of those in the gathering.  Second, in many churches, the church policy dictates that the Senior Pastor of the church is the one responsible for the worship in the gathering making them, by definition, the "leader" of worship for that church.  All choices for the worship service fall under their pastoral leadership.  In the best case scenario, the Pastor has spent time seeking the wisdom of the Holy Spirit for his church, and has clearly communicated that to the chief musician who then shares that vision with his team of musicians which leads to song selections and other elements of the service that support what the Holy Spirit has brought forth.  If that sounds like a lot of work, it is, and, it should be!  And, sadly, this happens far less often that you might care to believe or admit.  When we take on the role of "directing the worship," then we are saying, by implication, that we agree with the reality that the Holy Spirit is our true "worship director" and that everything we do comes from His guidance.  The question to ask is, are we really doing this? 

WORSHIP LEADING

I saved this one for last because, in my opinion, this occurs the least amount of time in most of today's churches.  Contrary to all three listed above, in this situation, there is a spiritually gifted leader - not necessarily a musician - who pays attention to the moving and guiding of the Holy Spirit during the assembly.  I believe this can happen in a setting where the songs have been rehearsed and prepared in a "set" and I have also seen it occur with impact in a setting where no songs are planned, no slides ready to go, no rehearsal.  Because the preparation of the music is not as important to encountering God's presence as we have been led to believe.  But that is not the only thing that helps someone lead a congregation into worship.  In order to be "led in worship," the people in the gathering themselves must be eager to encounter God's holy and mighty presence in the power of the Holy Spirit.  If the congregation does not want to encounter God's presence, the worship leader will be unable to lead and very quickly slip into the role of "worship directing," or "forcing" shouting out commands like, "come on," or "let's clap," or "you can sing louder!"  This is not leading in worship and has nothing to do with paying attention to the spiritual DNA of your congregation.

If you want to see your church explode in its effectiveness and impact your congregation and your surrounding community, I strongly suggest you examine which "worship door" you tend to walk through and see if God might be encouraging you to try a new path.     

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.