Wednesday, June 29, 2011

Church Music: Style Or Substance? Or Both?



I was working through some files and found this observation. I am not sure who wrote it, but it was not I:

If a church hires a new music leader, it can expect a significant turnover. Musical style and presentation in the church is one of the biggest factors for choosing a church in the first place. And when that changes, even slightly, we feel we have an excuse for leaving. I love our music leader. Great guy, great life story. He spent three stints in prison in his 20s before he surrendered his life to the King of Kings. But I don’t like the songs he chooses on most Sundays. I don’t want to sing about me and how blessed I am. I want hymns, the richness of lyrics that have been handed down for hundreds of years. But should I leave my church just because our song leader doesn’t choose songs I like? Is it really all that important what I think about the music selection? Can God not receive praise even if I think the lyrics are trite and bland?

Many of us church leaders have well programmed and produced and timed our church worship to the point that even rock stars are envious.

All the while, are we may be saying, "You can have it your way." Some of us also know that if we don't give it to 'em like they want it, well, there's always another church down the road.

What of being a follower of Jesus Christ means that we are to "deny ourselves, take up our cross and follow him?"

Our music and art can be a dead giveaway.

Sunday, June 5, 2011

New Celebrities/Rock Stars


I heard a story the other day (probably apocryphal) that an unusual event occurred in Baton Rouge, LA. After living in Louisiana these eleven years it seems that the unusual is part of our culture. Who Dat?

Nevertheless, a concert by a well known country artist was in progress. They are so well known that I do not recall their names.

As the story was told to me, all of a sudden a sea of heads turns from the stage to see something at the back of the venue. The band is playing and singing. The ocean of bodies then parts like Red Sea to reveal The New Rockstars.

The Swamp People.

Swamp People is a History Channel "reality" show about people who live in the Louisians Bayou and wrestle alligators. I often hear from people around here who watch the show and enjoy it. The Swamp people have become quite celebrities, and not just in our native Louisiana,

The poor band on the stage didn't know what to do- keep playing or stop. I understand the dilemma. As a public speaker and church leader I have often wondered what to do when some emergency or something unepected happens during a worship service.

Unfortunately, I know the rest of the story.

I do know that the Swamp People appeared at the mall in nearby Lake Charles yesterday and people stood in line for two hours to get their autographs.

Celebrity Syndrome. It used to be politicians, musicians, and artisans.

Now it is the Swamp People.

They are apparently taking their show on the road and may be coming to a town near you. Be prepared to wait in line to speak with someone who works out of a boat and who kills 'gators for a living.

If you missed them in Lake Charles, don't worry. They did leave behind signed momentos of their visit. I hear there still a few left.

By the way, a smiliar thing happened here recently with Billy the Exterminator. People do the strangest things. While I didn't stand in the line, I did get to see him up close!