The Genre of Worship?

Music styles seem to be the churches favorite battlegrounds.  Today I spent around 30 minutes on Youtube watching various churches worship bands lead worship.  I am not surprised that they sound the same for the most part.  The elements seem to be this.

1.  Decent Singer, a crooner perhaps.
2.  Lead guitar player capable of pulling of various U2 licks
3.  Coldplay style drums

Now I know that some people really dig this style of music, my wife is one of them.  The worst thing that we can do is to be some sort of elitist hipster and turn away from worship just because of music styles.  WE CAN'T TURN AWAY FROM WORSHIPING, no matter how uncool it may seem.

With the last post (here) regarding the death of CCM magazines hard copy, it seems that there are issues regarding the genre of Christian music.  I think that in regard to worship, it is a deeper issue.  Even when I have gone to church at a "cool" location (such as Ecclesia in Houston), the music is fairly standard to what you see at most contemporary churches.

Some people's answers would be to encourage Christian artists that play in different styles to just come up with some worship songs and sing them in front of people.  But I think the act of worship leading is Holier than that.  Sure, it would be sweet to Jeff Tweedy come and sing "In Christ Alone" (I even posted about it here), but I don't think it would cut it.  Our worship leaders don't need to be aspiring Jesus rock stars either.  Last week at the local coffee shop, I saw a worship leader play a set of his tunes dressed like one of the Jonas Brothers.

Getting out of the genre of worship also means leaders being content to have a deep connection to a local congregation, not looking upon it as a jump start to a career.  The unique artistic role of the worship leader is usually neglected, because the worship leader is the only artist in residence at most churches.

So where is this going?  I am not sure, but I say lets start with the idea that worship is a holy act that requires Holy leader.  My worship Jedi master, JD lists the roles of a worship leader as 4 primary tasks

1. Theologian
2. Priest
3. Pastor
4. Prophet

More explanations in the next few days, but I think this places us at a good starting point. 
What do you think?

Comments

[Chuck]

This is where I think the more catholic groups have it right, but even then, the pendulum tends to go to the opposite side. In the standard "evangelical" church, the person leading the music is usually dubbed the worship leader, and their personality is injected so far into their leadership that it can often become inseparable. The liturgy and/or sacraments celebrated aren't inherently seen to be included in the "worship". In the Anglican tradition, however, for instance, the liturgist is the worship leader. There may be someone leading us in this singing, but the priest is the worship leader. Of course, since this is a more high-sacramental style of worship, like I said, the pendulum can swing toward the other end - the musical aspect of worship may not just dull and vapid, but can become theologically obtuse.

My experience in the Anglican Church, however, has been incredibly positive...probably because Father Peter is a former Baptist ;-).

[chad]

Chuck-yeah I see exactly where you are coming from. I think what I am trying to figure out is what this role would look in the modern evanglical church. Most people know that I have crush on high-liturgy, so I don't want to take away from that at all. What would a great in-between look like?

Your right...Father Peter is cool.

[Joshua Grammon]

Something you almost said, but didn't...

To me it seems that it's all about the heart with which it's done. Style has nothing to do with it. But then to contradict myself, I believe God gives people preferences for a reason, and I believe the variety that comes from people's preferences is a beautiful thing, further variegating the obvious complexity of "every tongue". So it's bad when we limit our style of worship.

What's worse is when our worship does not inform our lives. I think God had a few things to say about that when it was true of Israel. And they weren't nice things, either. My new personal pet peeve is when people seem to get really worked up over a tune that talks about a lot of action, but their lives look just like every body else's. So it's really bad when we lie to God and call it worship.

As far as people being famous traveling worship leaders, I think it is necessary. I think it has precedence. I can imagine people on their way to worship in Jerusalem saying how excited they were about the sons of Asaph debuting some new material. I think it is necessary for those times when we have enormous church gatherings.

As far as a person leading in a local body, I think that is the most difficult job in the world. And it's the simplest job in the world. I agree with the observation that a worship leader functions as theologian, priest, pastor, and prophet, but coming from an artistic slant in every one of those roles. I should mention that for me the difference between art and something that is not art is whether or not it elicits an emotional response. So how do you emotionally teach your theology? (You've met that guy who gets all weepy when he starts talking about the Trinity, right?) How (in functioning as a prophet) do you emotionally teach the truth being presented? This is important stuff. What I'm talking about here is the difference between head knowledge and heart knowledge, and a lot of my study of the bible has led me to believe that head knowledge doesn't count. But the reality is, no one is up to the task apart from the leading of the Holy Spirit. So the simple answer is follow the leading of the Spirit.

So really, it's all about the heart with which it's done.

[Holly Pitre]

I agree a lot with Joshua (Hey Mr. Grammon!) on this, and I have to say that I also just really appreciate a diverse worship experience.
Chad, when you were at Wesley and in charge of The Well worship time, that was prime growth time for me. And the atmosphere during those worship times there was very conducive to learning and expanding how I thought about experiencing God.

[t]

I think many of these questions can be answered by maybe asking ourselves what exists when we encounter God. Worship, for me, is when I meet God, it is not all that unlike the other spiritual practices. Yes, it informs my life, but often times, nothing really has to happen at all except that I am WITH God in that moment. But thats when it gets all messed up... and I'm still wondering why worship is always talked about in the context of guitar players. What ever happened to the ancient worship that involved many things like architecture, incense, liturgy, and song? Or maybe more importantly, what happened to the spirit that guided those ideas? I think worship would change a great deal if worship leaders really put itself at risk and allowed the Spirit to lead. Unfortunately though, I think people would stop going to churches that did that because there might be times when, not only that it wasn't predictable, but that maybe we didn't get what we wanted at that time.
I'm just trying to think this out along with you guys, and dont' really have any of the answers. I look forward to your next post Chad.

[Ryan]

Chad - thanks for this very thought-provoking post. I enjoy modern worship styles, but sometimes, to be honest, I really struggle with them. I struggle with the fact that the worship leader can become so elevated just because he or she is a good musician with a dynamic personality. I struggle with the fact that the term worship leader seems to be synonymous with "musician" these days. I struggle with not having a clue what I'm doing most of the time, even though I try to shepherd and lead people.

This post gave me a lot to think about. Thanks.

[Matthew Crouch]

Hey Chad thanks for including me in this conversation! First, I feel as though "Worship" is all too often restrained and boxed in to just mean music or in a church building, I personally could not disagree more. Holly hit on a good point about the ancient practices, and its funny because the same environment and spirit that the ancients CREATED through chants and architecture and incense is the same environment that modern churches today CREATE through stage lighting and acoustics and technology and bands. I feel as though our worship can't be more true and authentic than if we allow our worship to be our lifestyle, not necessarily a created environment, but a lived out environment, everyday, through acts of love and kindness and selflessness. So to me "turning away from worship" is when we choose to live out of the kingdom of God and for ourselves, not necessarily through song and music and environment. Thats my two cents for now. Love you brother, miss you

[chad]

Thanks for all the comments. There is some great stuff to pull through. I like this way alot better. Stick around.

[Matthew Crouch]

http://www.emergentvillage.com/events/worship-in-a-postmodern-accent

thought you might like this

[Andy]

Hey Chad, just started following you via a mutual friend. As a worship leader I really like this post. I really feel it is important to emphasize your point to young and aspiring leaders to be deeply connected with your congregation. I am one of the odd ball's in my circle I suppose that loves liturgical as much as the current/modern approach to a worship gathering. I may wear straight legs and a v-neck but I see and embrace the deeply rooted meanings and objectives to many congregational readings and observances. I think being closely connected to your congregation and NOT your "career" allows us the freedom to find God in both aforementioned approaches, as well as binds the hearts of your community to one another. This is a great insight. Thanks for sharing.