Tag: church music

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Church Leadership Journal

I vote for congregational engagement

Should worship planning and leadership be done to create a great performance or primarily to help the congregation be involved in what is happening?

http://worthilymagnify.com/2014/09/30/worship-at-a-crossroads-congregationalism-versus-performancism/

This excellent article explains a conflict that exists in the Christian church today.  As the author says, a performance orientation in worship services that focuses attention on what happens up front can describe either a traditional service or a contemporary one.   But I actually think what has brought the contrast the author describes into sharper focus is the modern trend to place church congregations literally in the dark as in a theater.    This trend, I believe, decreases interaction and is culturally set up for a performance mindset.  It makes the congregation feel more like an audience.

I have always taught that the most important thing that happens on Sunday morning is not what happens on the platform, it is what happens in the hearts of those in the pews.  The job of worship leaders and pastors is to suggest/guide/facilitate those responses in the congregation.    But that job cannot really be accomplished unless the Holy Spirit is allowed to work in people’s hearts.   Every Sunday morning, what the pastor and others leading worship are trying to accomplish cannot be done by human beings.  The transformation of lives, the healing of souls, the conversion of wills, the sanctifying of lives–this is all God’s work.  Whatever happens up front has as it’s only purpose to help those who are attending to connect with God and his truth and respond to it.  Focusing on performance first will not get this job done.   Being aware that congregational involvement individually and collectively in the service is essential is basic to being used of God in worship.

I need to say though that focusing on congregational response in no way means that those leading worship should settle for less excellence in what they do than those who might have a performance mindset.  Absolutely not!    God’s work is worthy of our best efforts!    God uses excellence by his servants to affect the lives of others.   Those who minister show their heart for God in their excellence.

Categories
Journal Joy Notes

Thanks for giving your gifts!

Gift giving expresses generosity

This last Sunday at Community Wesleyan was a festival of gifts.   In the Nativity Story  (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0762121/),  the old shepherd tells Mary that each one of us has a gift.  This is a biblical truth.   He also tells Mary that her gift is the baby within her.    Later, at the stable, Mary repeats the line to him as he reaches to touch baby Jesus;  then as she holds out the child, she says, “He is for all mankind.”    As with Mary, our gifts are not given us for ourselves but to help others.   That’s what I saw happening this last Sunday at Community Wesleyan.    

To begin, it was the day when many brought the gifts they had purchased for those less fortunate and placed them around the brightly decked Christmas tree on the platform.  It was stacked with gaily wrapped presents.   They represented the generosity of so many, a noble gift to the Christ-child indeed.    The gifts were made more beautiful by the decorations—the result of Leah’s behind-the-scenes touch.

Then there were the gifts of talents.   I am always so appreciative of those who take the time at this busy season to make sure that they give their talent back to God.   So many just bury it or use it only for themselves.    But always there are some faithful ones who will offer their musical and other talents back to God in worship.  We enjoyed two beautiful instrumental pieces.   One was a string trio, a classical sound so fitting for carols and brought to us by Josiah Durfee, Alex Paige and Carmen Hunn.   Another was a contemporary touch – two guitars, drums, and piano playing “Go Tell On the Mountain” (Mark Cloutier, Shaun Harrington, Aaron Wilkinson, and JoAnne Jones).    We reveled in the quiet of the carol, “Silent Night” sung a cappella in a perfect family blend by Licia, Cassie, and Kaitlyn Swain.   Mike Lamb, unofficial poet-in-residence,  read a new, thought-provoking  work he had written and the choir directed by JoAnne Jones inspired us with Vivaldi’s “Gloria”  and the striking “In the First Light.”   

Then there were the personal gifts – probably some I will not know about who gave gifts to a teacher or friends.   I received some.  I helped to collect and give one special one to someone who has helped us so much here at Community Wesleyan, our webmaster.   

It all blended with the theme of the message too – if we, as imperfect as we are, know how to use our gifts for others and give gifts that are appreciated; how much more will our heavenly Father give good gifts to those who love him!