On the way to work, I was pondering music, worship, and leadership and I remembered this quote from Los’ blog a few months ago where he was describing what he calls a “Lukewarm” Worship Leader:
“Is almost exclusively dependent on other’s songs to sing than writing songs for where their local church is at.” —-> RagamuffinSoul.com | Signs of a Lukewarm Worship Leader
It really bugs me when we leave out creativity and intimacy in Worship. (I’m speaking of corporate Worship through the use of music that usually occurs in most churches on Sunday morning).
We have our system: 4 to 6 songs ( 2 to 3 fast and then the rest slow with the really heart jerker one at the end).
Every Sunday.
In countless churches.
No deviation.
No originality.
Lack of excellence, because we have our dummy-proof system.
No dropping songs from the plan to linger on a progression for a while.
No changing to un-planned songs because the “words on the power point” haven’t been set up.
No Drum Solos. : p
Preparation is important. Having a plan and rehearsing is important.
But, I think the problem is that we try to be so rigid and focused on getting through the set that we don’t take time for the back and forth fluidic flow of Worship.
Worship is a conversation. We need to take some time to let God speak back.
Sometimes when I’m driving with the kids, my daughter, Tori, will sing and sing. She will sing songs from television and sometimes just make up her own songs. She does have a beautiful voice and I love hearing it.
There are times though that I need to say something important to her and it frustrates me because she won’t stop singing so she can hear and listen to me.
I think God feels that way sometimes during our Sunday mornings across America.
