Over the years I have ranted several times about the music aspect of worship not being informed by culture. I am privileged to have a few friends that are missiologists and our conversations about culture (especially Niebuhr's "Christ and Culture" model. As I think about how worship is designed, I think we often fail to look at the culture of our congregations. Yes-we will look at them being contemporary or not, but that is about the only reflection.
For a culture such as ours, especially when working with younger folk, music is a key identifier of social groups. For others, overly "churchy" worship music might attach stigmas. Overall, I think we rarely think about regional expressions of evangelical sung worship. Funny thing is, musical style is one of the key parts of worship that people look at. The only instance where I can think of extreme cultural influence being practiced in the West is the Cowboy Church. Sure, you might find small denomination differences, but for the most part worship looks the same throughout the country.
When we think about reaching untouched people groups in our cities, how might understanding a vastly different culture help in our mission? How does our church culture possibly alienate those we want to impact? How might allowing these cultures to inform their own worship be a catalyst towards transformation?
Really good thing to think about.
I saw one church doing a month of music from Johnny Cash, but that was only for a series.
I agree, worship design is often overlooked.
Posted by: John Leek | June 07, 2010 at 02:38 PM
John-I have seen churches attempt to tie in secular music for a variety of reasons, and I have led at a church that did it. I think instead of allowing culture to inform worship, that is often done for various evangelistic reasons...or just because the worship team wants to play Ring of Fire.
If we allowed our various subcultures to speak to worship, I think we would find alot more similarities with how life is lived among folk.
Posted by: Chad | June 07, 2010 at 03:33 PM
What's interesting about the Christ-Transforming-Culture idea behind this kind of worship design is that there has to be a deeper connect to the two stories idea in the way things are used in worship. Using the cowboy church model: there are elements of the country/western music genre that are directly linked to ideology (and is felt if not known by those who say that this is their culture). This music is a part of a story, and to rewire it towards the story of God will require more than adding lap steel to "holy holy holy"; it will require unpacking, re-routing and even re-imaging some of these elements towards the redemptive narrative. Some elements can continue to be used, or "baptized", but others must be subverted, rewired, or even abandoned in light of the truth.
Or is there another way at it?
Posted by: Drew Causey | June 09, 2010 at 08:32 AM
I think I agree with you Chad. Some songs connect in deep ways and can be used in the church also.
There does need to be a Jesus reason to do any kind of music in worship.
Posted by: John Leek | June 09, 2010 at 03:42 PM
Hi, I congratulate you on Merry Christmas!
Posted by: Antivirus_man | December 05, 2010 at 06:05 AM
Interesting site, always a new topic .. good luck in the new 2011. Happy New Year!
Posted by: school_dubl | December 28, 2010 at 11:42 AM