JUNE 30 & JULY 1, 2007
In these weekly installments of my Messages About Purpose and Strategy, I get to communicate a little about why we do what we do the way we do it. Today I'll step into controversial waters again. Pray that I don't drown. And rescue me if you see anyone launching torpedoes my direction. Today's topic: loud music.
We've just completed our study of the Prodigal Son parable with a focus on the bitter brother. He arrived back home from work during a celebration of his brother's return. The music was loud and he refused to enter into the excitement. We learned that Jesus told all three stories in Luke 15 in order to communicate to the self-righteous Pharisees something important about God. That is, our Heavenly Father celebrates new life. He seeks relationship with the undeserving. Jesus wants us to feel similarly passionate about reaching the lost. No sacrifice is too lavish. God is extravagant with his grace whereas the religious people in Christ's day were stingy. How will we respond to this teaching?
Now, how about the volume of our worship music? First of all, I've been happy to learn that Chris and his team regularly monitor the sound levels using a meter. We apparently are peaking at the same decibel level as several other churches like ours around town. The sound guys have been addressing the issue of keeping the sound reasonable and balanced. Frankly, when people say the music is too loud, they are more often reacting to the style of the music, not the actual decibel level. So, let me talk about style.
Ready for a surprise? I think the music here is too loud now and then. And I don't always like the style of what I hear. But, then again, the style is not for me. I hope I don't like everything I hear. If I did, we'd only be appealing to men in my age-group. That would be narrow and boring.
Let me go even further: I hope that the style misses me by sounding too young far more frequently than it misses me by sounding too conservative. Why? Because I'm past middle aged.
Where are the
20-somethings? Nearly every other church in town does a good job of providing a musical style that people older than I am find appealing. And there are no churches in town and few in the state that are doing a great job reaching the emerging generation. In fact, lots of articles I read suggest churches ought to do everything they can do to reach the younger generation or the gap will continue to widen.
The more mature a person is, the more responsibility they have to recognize that style is merely a tool and things won't always be their style. Here, the style is celebrative and seeks to attract people who are not yet mature in their faith. We get lots of great feedback that this strategy is accomplishing that purpose and the rave reviews come from some people older than me and others younger. We also get some complaints. That is to be expected. Musical style is highly subjective and controversial. Everyone has an opinion, and the person sitting next to you may be thinking the opposite thing from what you believe everyone should think. But, recognize this, Dayspring's commitment to contemporary style has not changed.
One more thing: ultimately, music in church is not for me or for you, it is for God. When our hearts are full of praise, all these other factors fade in significance. Let's not refuse to enter into the excitement, instead, let's celebrate, not criticize. It may not be just your style, but we don't need things just our way, do we?
New people typically love our music and feel drawn to learn more about God because of the quality and style. As I recognize how our strategy is helping us to fulfill our purpose, then no sacrifice is too lavish. I can handle music that is not always exactly my style. How about you?
We've just completed our study of the Prodigal Son parable with a focus on the bitter brother. He arrived back home from work during a celebration of his brother's return. The music was loud and he refused to enter into the excitement. We learned that Jesus told all three stories in Luke 15 in order to communicate to the self-righteous Pharisees something important about God. That is, our Heavenly Father celebrates new life. He seeks relationship with the undeserving. Jesus wants us to feel similarly passionate about reaching the lost. No sacrifice is too lavish. God is extravagant with his grace whereas the religious people in Christ's day were stingy. How will we respond to this teaching?
Now, how about the volume of our worship music? First of all, I've been happy to learn that Chris and his team regularly monitor the sound levels using a meter. We apparently are peaking at the same decibel level as several other churches like ours around town. The sound guys have been addressing the issue of keeping the sound reasonable and balanced. Frankly, when people say the music is too loud, they are more often reacting to the style of the music, not the actual decibel level. So, let me talk about style.
Ready for a surprise? I think the music here is too loud now and then. And I don't always like the style of what I hear. But, then again, the style is not for me. I hope I don't like everything I hear. If I did, we'd only be appealing to men in my age-group. That would be narrow and boring.
Let me go even further: I hope that the style misses me by sounding too young far more frequently than it misses me by sounding too conservative. Why? Because I'm past middle aged.
Where are the
20-somethings? Nearly every other church in town does a good job of providing a musical style that people older than I am find appealing. And there are no churches in town and few in the state that are doing a great job reaching the emerging generation. In fact, lots of articles I read suggest churches ought to do everything they can do to reach the younger generation or the gap will continue to widen.
The more mature a person is, the more responsibility they have to recognize that style is merely a tool and things won't always be their style. Here, the style is celebrative and seeks to attract people who are not yet mature in their faith. We get lots of great feedback that this strategy is accomplishing that purpose and the rave reviews come from some people older than me and others younger. We also get some complaints. That is to be expected. Musical style is highly subjective and controversial. Everyone has an opinion, and the person sitting next to you may be thinking the opposite thing from what you believe everyone should think. But, recognize this, Dayspring's commitment to contemporary style has not changed.
One more thing: ultimately, music in church is not for me or for you, it is for God. When our hearts are full of praise, all these other factors fade in significance. Let's not refuse to enter into the excitement, instead, let's celebrate, not criticize. It may not be just your style, but we don't need things just our way, do we?
New people typically love our music and feel drawn to learn more about God because of the quality and style. As I recognize how our strategy is helping us to fulfill our purpose, then no sacrifice is too lavish. I can handle music that is not always exactly my style. How about you?
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