![[Photo of a Scripture verse]](https://www.deankwilson.com/Blog_images/Psalm_33_3.jpg)
| “Sing to him a new song; play skillfully, and shout for joy.” |
| —Psalm 33:3 |
I am not a fan of praise music-type worship services. But, I have reached this decision for a reason that may surprise you. First, some backgroud…
I believe that God is a God of Excellence. When I look at what He created—albeit I am looking at what He created in its fallen state—I see glimmers of a level of excellence that far exceeds what some would consider an acceptable expression of mediocrity. From this understanding, I see that God does all that He does with excellence. So, I conclude that part of my devotion to Him involves doing my very best to do, whatever I do, with excellence.
Of course, as a fallen and foible-filled human being, I make many mistakes. My sin nature virtually precludes my ability to do everything with excellence. Yet, I still continue to strive for excellence. This involves making certain I have the skill set to do a task, that I understand the knowledge I must have to perform my duties, and that I have practiced my craft so that I can make as much excellence as possible a part of what I do.
Therefore, believing that God desires excellence, I approach worship with a critical eye, looking for ways to assure that whatever is done to glorify God is done with excellence.
Did someone take the time to carefully plan the worship service, so that each element in that service coordinates with a worship theme for the day that enhances the sermon the minister will preach? Did the people participating in the worship service practice what they are going to do or say, in order to help assure that nothing will distract from the central message of their ministering to the congregation. This means that everyone involved will avoid last minute, haphazard changes to the worship service. And, it means that the ones in charge must lovingly and carefully counsel those people who do not take their role seriously, so that they will understand how important it is to do their very best for the glory of God.
When it comes to music in the worship service, does that music spring from a theological foundation that will help move those who worship forward in their spiritual formation? Or, does the music simply tug on their emotions and create a response similar to the one they would receive if they attended any musical performance outside the walls of the church? Does the music involve the congregation and promote their eager participation? Or, does the music serve to spotlight only a few individual “performers” to the exclusion of the larger congregation?
Does the music connect those who worship with the historic faith and to fellow believers from across the ages? Or, does the music merely appeal to some current cultural “hook” that will soon be replaced by some other cultural preference?
Do those leading the music keep the focus on God? Or, do they delight in the limelight and garner praise for themselves?
Most importantly, do the musicians have the skill to lead the congregation with excellence? And, it is at this point that I take a turn to which many will likely object.
I happen to personally enjoy a rather wide variety of musical genres. I have a rich background in what some call “serious” music—that is to say, what many would call “classical” music, though the term “classical” actually only applies to one period of time in the history of music. I also have a rich background in other musical genres: big band, jazz, classic rock, adult contemporary, country, and many more. I appreciate the artistry of each genre. And, unlike some of my serious music friends, I see the professionalism and excellence in the skill of many of the artists who perform each musical genre.
When it comes to church music, I actually have no objection to any musical genre that meets the criteria I stated earlier in this blog post: music that springs from a theological foundation that will help move those who worship forward in their spiritual formation. But, no matter what musical genre, I expect those providing the music to do so with genuine excellence.
If a church chooses to provide a basically traditional music style—as the church I currently attend does—then I expect each musician to be well-trained in that genre and to execute the music with professionalism and excellence. This means that the organist must be well-educated in service playing, understand registrations, be an excellent accompanist, as well as an excellent soloist, be well-rehearsed, and recognize the role of leadership that the organist plays in such a worship experience. I expect similar qualities if the accompanist is part of an orchestra or is a pianist.
Similarly, the choral group (or choir) must consist of musicians with well-honed skill, preferably some members with professional training, understand that they must blend into a unified sound and not seek personal attention, and recognize their role in both performing as a group and in leading the congregation as it joins in singing.
When it comes to contemporary Christian music in a praise music worship service, far too few musicians actually have the professional training and skill to perform this music with the level of excellence that the genre demands. Meeting for 45 minutes before the worship service begins, to run through some of the selections, does not constitute the level of rehearsal necessary to perform this genre of music in an excellent manner. How many of the musicians rehearse on their own on a daily basis? How many strive to constantly improve their skill at playing their chosen instruments? How many take lessons from a teacher who pushes them toward excellence?
Just because someone can play a few chords on the guitar does not mean that he or she should be performing in a praise team. And, how many praise teams realize that they are not performing a concert, but are—or at least should be—leading a congregation to participate in worship?
I realize there are churches where they are fortunate to have professionally trained and well-rehearsed musicians to participate in the praise band. But, sadly, so many smaller churches who have jumped on the contemporary music bandwagon—thinking that this style of music makes them “relevant” to today’s culture—simply do not have musicians in their ranks with the skill to perform this genre with excellence.
“Well, Pops,” some Millennial or GenX-er might say, “that’s quite a rant you wrote there. It sounds to me like the same old-fogey talk that I’ve heard from people like you all my life.”
That may be so. Nevertheless, I have come to these conclusions after giving this matter a great deal of thought and not a small amount of research and study. I actually believe the striving for relevance is a “straw man” created by the evil one to distract us from the calling God has given us to represent Him to a fallen world. But, I also believe that I have the weight of Scripture on my side when I look at what the Psalmist wrote in Psalm 33:3:
Sing to him a new song; play skillfully, and shout for joy.
As we begin a new day, let’s determine that we will do with excellence whatever God calls us to do. As long as we are ever-striving to do the very best we are able to do, surely God will receive our accomplishments as a sweet-smelling incense, rising from the altar of our lives.
