 |
Open Theism Discussion Board > Public Forums > Questions about Christianity > (No Subject)
| Forum Quick Jump
|
 | 
Starkman
Registered Member
Date Joined Oct 2001
Total Posts : 1747
| Posted 4/22/2007 8:08 PM (GMT -6) |   | Mark, your question (a very good one) assumes that there is something "different" about playing guitar on stage for a regular concert verses on stage in church. As a matter of fact, most Christians won't even use the words "on stage" when refering to where the worship band sets up. Somehow "stage is too secular of a term. It's not spiritual. So we use other words. That's already starting out on the wrong foot.
As a former musician, I hate the idea that musicians are just supposed to be "led" by the spirit, that there shouldn't be the need for hard-working rehursals--"just know the songs and the Spirit will take over," it's said. Well, take note: the best sounding Christian bands are usually those that have worked hard in rehursals, that understand the need for synchronization among all the musicians and work hard to know each other's strengths and weaknesses. So when the time comes for the worship band to play on "stage," the issue is to execute well what they have worked hard to learn. There's nothing unspiritual about that at all. What then makes the worship band spiritual or "different"? When God shows up. Plain and simple.
As to who is serving whom, the worship band is there to create music that makes worship that much more accessible to the congregation. And one of the last things that needs to take place during the performance ("performance": another no-no word) in order for this to happen is for one, or more, musicians to start going off "in the Spirit" and loosing touch with what the rest of the band is doing. The band is there to serve God by serving the congregation. Very simple.
When God does show up (and it can be whether an a cappella singer is up front or the whole Hill Song Shabang), THAT'S what the worship team is hoping for. They had better not be hoping that their spirituality, their worship leader, or their great playing is what's going to escort the congregation's entrance into worship. It is, however, a truly called worship leader who is sensitive to where God is going and will take the band in that direction, but the band had better be prepared, which a called band will be. And when God shows up, whomever He annoints, whomever He puts His hand upon as far as music goes, well, that's when the congregation benefits. That's when the worship becomes intimate and truly relates with the music of the Holy Spirit.
Finally, I don't like it when worship bands are made up of musicians who are not called or are just plain not good at playing an instrument. Bad musicians do not survive long in the real world, and there's no reason to think that somehow we're being spiritual to let them try to enhance the worship service when every other note is sour. It's embarrassing to be present when a band or individual is just not good at playing an instrument. Music calls for no less of a calling and no less of a committment to excellence as does preaching, teaching, evangelizing. I'm not called to teach, but I insist on doing so, I'm going to bomb out. Same thing applies to being part of a worship band.
Well, those are my thoughts.
Starkman
| | Back to Top | | |
|
Starkman
Registered Member
Date Joined Oct 2001
Total Posts : 1747
| Posted 4/23/2007 4:21 PM (GMT -6) | |
might-be-don said...Starkman says, "...when God shows up..." . What does that mean? Starkman says,"...when the worship becomes intimate...". What does that mean ? peace, don
Remember Pentecost: God showed up!
Can God show up when the guy leading the worship isn't the least bit called? Of course He can. My point was simply that called worship leaders and called worship band members are fulfilling their place in the body, and that helps the body to grow and do its thing the way it's supposed to. It doesn't quench the spirit in church; it makes worship all that much more smooth-flowing and intimate.
Right now I can think of a band member in a particular band (no, not a famous band) who is not a good musician, and a lot of people know it. He's just "up there" because the worship leader is giving him a chance. It works, too. The guy makes horrible mistakes, but it doesn't distract. The worship leader (VERY called) knows exactly what he can allow and not allow. He is just giving this guy a chance to participate in something at church. It works fine. Unfortunately, this is not always the case.
We don't hesitate to say, "Oh, I am so mechanically challenged," and we wouldn't think, therefore, of trying to be a mechanic, but many of us don't want to apply that same logic and consideration to a worship leader or worship band when someone simply doesn't belong up there. But this is life and the way things are, both on and off the stage of a church.
I was studying to be a professional musician years back. I still have enough talent to hold my own, but I know that I'm not called to run the course as a worship band member (and I wouldn't even think of playing the part of a worship leader). Those doors just don't open for me, and it's almost embarrassing for me to even try to become active in church bands. It's like there's this sign on me that says, "Talented, plays several instruments, but not called." I accept this.
So, if worship in church is to be that much more open for the Spirit to move, it's best to have a called worship leader and a called worship band.
| | Back to Top | | |
| Forum Information | Currently it is Monday, November 09, 2026 11:30 AM (GMT -6)
There are a total of 97,718 posts in 6,040 threads.
In the last 3 days there were 0 new threads and 0 reply posts. View Active Threads
|
Forum powered by dotNetBB v2.42EC SP3
dotNetBB © 2000-2026 |
|
|