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Worship Idol - Are Worship Leaders Becoming Like Contestants of American Idol?
Someone posted this link to a good article from a Christian magazine here in the UK over on He Must Increase:
http://www.christianitymagazine.co.uk/features/worshipidol.aspx?ext...
It's quite long, but well worth a read.
I'd be particularly interested to read comments from our American friends on Worship The Rock, especially as there are quite a few remarks about worship and worship leaders in the States.
For example:
“I’ve just come back from the States and over there you can see the natural progression of where we are heading, and believe me, we don’t want to go there,” he says. “The first question I was asked in American churches was not ‘What is God doing?’ but ‘Whose stuff do you do?’ Churches compete to be the most professional in the town, attracting people to the ‘best’ experience. The amount of money spent on PA systems and instruments when there are people living in poverty just up the road was painful.”
I think it's a good article and it has given me lot's to think about. I do think there is a danger of becoming very celebrity minded about worship leaders. Just driving home today I was listening to a worship CD by a well known church and when certain famous worship leaders come on stage there is loads of cheering and whistling. It got me wondering if people were more focussed on the worship leader who had stepped on stage or on God Himself. It's so easy to get distracted but we must do everything we can to be like John and say (and truly mean it):
"He must increase, I must decrease". (John 3:30)
http://www.christianitymagazine.co.uk/features/worshipidol.aspx?ext...
It's quite long, but well worth a read.
I'd be particularly interested to read comments from our American friends on Worship The Rock, especially as there are quite a few remarks about worship and worship leaders in the States.
For example:
“I’ve just come back from the States and over there you can see the natural progression of where we are heading, and believe me, we don’t want to go there,” he says. “The first question I was asked in American churches was not ‘What is God doing?’ but ‘Whose stuff do you do?’ Churches compete to be the most professional in the town, attracting people to the ‘best’ experience. The amount of money spent on PA systems and instruments when there are people living in poverty just up the road was painful.”
I think it's a good article and it has given me lot's to think about. I do think there is a danger of becoming very celebrity minded about worship leaders. Just driving home today I was listening to a worship CD by a well known church and when certain famous worship leaders come on stage there is loads of cheering and whistling. It got me wondering if people were more focussed on the worship leader who had stepped on stage or on God Himself. It's so easy to get distracted but we must do everything we can to be like John and say (and truly mean it):
"He must increase, I must decrease". (John 3:30)
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by RAPursley on -
Agreed. We do have a responsibility to be an example to the congregation. The people should see clearly that all who have been appointed to lead the worship gathering are actually delighting in Christ themselves. You'll note that I mentioned something about skillful and humble leadership. I think that includes the points that you made. We LEAD musicians to make music together in a skillful non-obstructive way. We invite congregants to participate and lead them obediently. That is leadership, and it is important that skillful, competent people are the ones doing this.
My point was this. We cannot LEAD people into the presence of God. I hear this language used a lot, and while I think the sentiment is good, I don't always perceive it to be entirely helpful. Hebrews drives the point home that Jesus Christ, our great high priest, is the One who has led us there. This reality is often forgotten, and one of the functions of worship is to once again awaken us to this reality, as the Holy Spirit ministers to God's people through his word. God may also choose to manifest his presence in special ways, but that ultimately has nothing to do with my leadership. It has everything to do with God's good pleasure.
Thanks for the dialogue! Grace and peace to you.
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Permalink Reply by Bill Schmidt on -
Wow, quite an article. It seemed to focus on the negative side a bit. It really calls us to a heart check. I would agree that motives are important and that in the church here in the states worship leader is sometimes used as a sanctified substitute for rock star. I would say that there is nothing wrong with worship music becoming mainstream. It puts honoring the King of kings and Lord of lords out there in a positive way. It has its place. I would say that for worship leaders it is important to worship in spirit and in truth before you get up to lead someone else there. Leading may be more of an act of worship some times than an experience of worship. And lets face it like the author said some times worship is action. Painting, picking up trash or cleaning up graffiti.
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Permalink Reply by Luis Cascalheira on -
HI everyone, yes this is not only a good read but it is in fact reality as we enter the last days of what i believe we are already in .We have focussed on man more than we have focussed on GOD are we truly being led astray by things that are not even important to the LORD .How often do we see a manifistation of HIS presence where their is true worship in SPIRIT and in truth how do we do this as musicians, and singers and so forth i believe is when we enter into the coming together of the saints as brothers and sisters we come bringing a song , a hymn a spiritual song a message or even a prophetic word where the church today is full of spectators cheering speakers, bands and the list goes on in comparrison to the life of CHRIST their will be a day in each of our lives where their is hurt, or misfortune then will we choose to praise HIM or what will we do , these are the days where the true worshipers will worship in SPIRIT and TRUTH , we were made only to worship the LORD OF HEAVEN and Earth no Idol will be worshiped and us as human beings are easily misled, the church in the book of acts is an example of the Church (body of believers) all coming together with one focal point -JESUS the KING of KINGS.Yes talents ,music, and all good things HE has given us only to glorify HIM.
BLESSINGS TO ALL MY BROTHERS & SISTERS in CHRIST JESUS.
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Permalink Reply by Dr. Taveau D'Arcy on -
As I wrote once before, in DFW: the Buckle on what many view as the Professional Bible Belt, when going about as a new comer, stranger and God sent alien, at least at the very small church charismatic level, it was quite normal to see 1) Everyone is expected to be UNDER the tiny apostolic senior pastor (very hard to find Indians, when so many apparently view themselves to be only Chiefs." 2) small but gifted worship band members have repeatedly radiated, "WE already KNOW it all about Worship....and we have our own CD to prove it." and "My buddy and I have played guitar for the last 35 years in DFW on the worship band, so we have SEEN IT ALL and therefore HEARD IT ALL.
Not to fail to mention this same worship band seen weekly puffing on cigarettes just out side the church entrance, then later following the meeting, sitting in THE YOUTH ROOM smoking and relaxing. The "kind sr. pastor'even had a empty coffee can just outside the church doors, for all their cigarette butts.
Then if one tries to go to meet with any mega church worship staff or office even associate pastor, one is not permitted since one is not viewed as BEING A MEMBER or "Famous enough."
That has been one of the biggest temptations, to get offended or hard or tough. instead we must all pray for this since God wants his shepherds and worship band members to have compassionate observant, very perceptive, sensitive hearts toward the "least of these," The stranger and alien (who may come as one of God's angels in disguise) and also for the grieving widow, orphan.
That is not being done at this present time very much at all in Professional Strength Top Of God's Fine Charismatic Ministry in DFW Ministry.
Frankly, I now find it refreshing when God leads me to worshipping, evangelistic servant hearted non tongue speaking ministers such as pure hearted, souls on fire, real Jesus serving Southern Baptists .
Is it any wonder that more and more of even God's true people are now choosing to worship outside what has become the Organized Church Business System. Didn't Jesus walk among the Least of These? Didn't Jesus respect ALL types of persons, even the RANK and FILE?
The respect of all types of persons is nearly a Bible story in too many present day Professionally Skilled Ministry Houses.
Sorry to have such a bad report. There for God's grace could we all go, so if the Bible states that "judgement begins in the house of God..." but where in the house of God should REAL repentance, self judging begin: IN THE LEADERS, ELDERS and BAND MEMBERS with in each house of God.
Perhaps you better remove my name and picture so that I do not get accused of attacking. This is stated in my ministry websites, podcasts for me to also have to go before the Lord for HIM to try and search MY all too human heart.
"He/she who is without sin, let them cast the first stone." So I submit this instead as a Big Selah, in Tough Agape Love, rather than a critical attack religious rock.
Dr. Taveau D'Arcy
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Permalink Reply by Teri Rasey on -
I, myself, have sometimes wondered if the big, worship driven churches have somehow lost the true meaning of worship. It is wonderful that the forgotten or disenfranchised have been lured back into some type of worship with these "idol" worship leaders, however, has the true meaning and connection to the real purpose of worship been lost? These large mega-churches with their enormous, showy and very expensive stages cannot possible touch each individual attending, personally. As for the leaders, if they have the right mind-set and are being God-driven then I say Amen to them. However, if they let the opinions of others drive them and not the love of God or God's opinion, then they themselves are sinning by idolatry (Exodus 20:23). On the other side, you have the possibility of reaching out through crossover artists if the artist resolves to remain true to their roots and proclaim God's glory through their actions as well as their songs. This is one of those questions and answers that only time will answer, or more correctly God can answer, not us mere mortals.
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Permalink Reply by BILL OLSON on -
The western church, over the past 3 decades especially, seems to always take a genuine movement of God and package it, homogenize it, sell it to time/life, and market it on late night television. Unfortunately, instead of changing the culture, the culture changes us. There is nothing new under the sun.
So, we have a choice. We can belly ache over the fact that mega churches, or big para-church organizations, do what they do, or we can pray for their endeavors, leave it in God's hands, and do what God is calling us to do. Discussion is fine....let's not let it tie us up in knots.
My two cents.
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Permalink Reply by Seth Stephan (Sef) on -
I totally see what they are saying, and agree that the worship of leaders is completely not what God wants from his people. But One thing that popped into my head is that this is not really a new concept. In my studies of Music history I have realized that during the Baroque period, people like Bach and Handel, who are very famous composers, were employed by churches. It was their job to write music for the church, to keep it fresh. and they were also very popular in the secular world. Again I'm not justifying what the article is saying, just wanted to throw the historical aspect of it out there... there is nothing new under the sun...
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Permalink Reply by John Hawkins on -
This is a good article. However, I am with Ken Oliver on finding the balance in what you read and the source it comes from. 1 Thess. 5 says "Test everything and hold on to that which is good." Balance is key. Great thought provoking stuff, but we need to be discerning about what we read, hear, see, say, etc.
On a different note, I do think we place people (worship leaders) on a pedestal. I have seen worship leaders do it themselves and I have seen a congregation do it. Neither one is pretty. As a worship pastor, musician and leader myself, it is a struggle. Everyone struggles with selfworth and acceptance. You have to be willing to be vulnerable and let people into your circle that are honest with you and keep you humble.
One of the best things that I have done is let the congregation lead me in worship. Sometimes I just back away from the mic and listen to them sing. I have made it a point to let them know that I love to hear them sing and that leads me in worship. It's amazing what happens when they connect with God.
Good article. Balance is the key.
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Permalink Reply by Becky Bullock on -
I think we should give God our very best and be skilled in our worship. There is a fine line and people do tend to exalt their worship leaders. I am concerned with worship music becoming more difficult and most congregations are not up to the level of musical talent to truly participate and worship God. "Solos" do not promote unity and a focus on God. On a good note, as a whole, I believe God is moving in this hour and we are recognizing that without Him in everything we do, nothing can be accomplished. I pray that we can strive to play and sing skillfully as well as honor the One we love and worship.
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Permalink Reply by Kim Black on -
Hi Phil,
I read the article early this morning, and decided to wait until this evening to reply. As with anything, I believe that we should always consult God's Word and be led by the Spirit in us, the Spirit of truth in us.
I sang R&B, jazz, funk, etc., before I was saved. So I was a worship leader then (leading people into worship of other gods). I didn't become a worship leader for the Lord until sometime after salvation. In fact, it was not something I sought after. It was something that the Lord chose me to be: His worship leader. (Also, not all secular music is ungodly. I was just giving you some background so you would know that I did not "grow up in the church" as I've heard many say. And, that's cool, too. Whatever God uses is save us, is good!)
That being said, I believe that Christians (at least in the US) spend a lot of time discussing things like this, and not making disciples as Christ commanded us to do. We're high on intellectualism, philosophy, on "knowing", discussing.
We may think that Islamic terrorist are crazy to blow themselves up for their beliefs. BUT, they are faithful. They are doers of their word.
Here's the scripture which I think applies to the dicussion at hand. It's at Philippians 1:12-18. Paul says what difference does it make, as long as Christ is preached. So I say, what difference does it make as long as Christ is preached. The Lord will deal with us individually. The Lord knows who are His, and they know Him:
"Now I want you to know, brothers, that what has happened to me has really served to advance the gospel. As a result, it has become clear throughout the whole palace guard[b] and to everyone else that I am in chains for Christ. 14Because of my chains, most of the brothers in the Lord have been encouraged to speak the word of God more courageously and fearlessly.
It is true that some preach Christ out of envy and rivalry, but others out of goodwill. The latter do so in love, knowing that I am put here for the defense of the gospel. The former preach Christ out of selfish ambition, not sincerely, supposing that they can stir up trouble for me while I am in chains. But what does it matter? The important thing is that in every way, whether from false motives or true, Christ is preached. And because of this I rejoice."
Peace & Blessings,
Kim Black aka K.I.M.
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Permalink Reply by Phil Williams on -
Hi Kim,
Thanks for sharing these thoughts. I'm always encouraged when people use scripture in their thinking and replying.
Blessings,
Phil
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Permalink Reply by Kim Black on
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Hi Phil,
Not really a biggy. Jesus used scripture always. When He was led by the Spirit into the wilderness for 40 days, He replied to the devil's lies with God's word, the truth. When the religious leaders tried to trick Him. He replied with God's Word.
The Word is where it's at!
Your Sister!
Kim
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