I'll try to answer
My friend Paul Murphy (whom I respect a great deal) commented with some questions that I would like to try to answer.
Paul said -
Mike I have a question.
The other day I was thinking about our worship service. I keep finding things that catch my attention.
1. What's up with a praise team? I'm not sure I get the purpose. Is it like a guitar for the acappella service?
I think the point of a PT is to have each part represented in "the mix." Especially for larger congregations/gatherings, if you aren't sitting near folks who are singing "your part" and you are not musically inclined, you'll likely default to singing the melody. Nothing wrong with that, but a big part of our heritage is 4-part harmony. Especially as many congregations have moved to lyrics on slides (rather than song books) it is good (I would say "necessary") to have all 4 parts in the PA.
Note that if you're singing with a guitar you are not singing what the guitar is doing exactly. The guitarist is likely strumming chords, but you would be singing a melody line over the chords. Whereas, with a PT, the intent IS to sing exactly what your part is singing on the PT.
Another important point for the PT is to give the people who are gifted musically a good way to use their gift for God's glory and to bless their church family. As a bit of a musician, it has been TREMENDOUSLY HARD for me to feel fulfilled in our tribe. For too many folks there is no place for most of my musical gifts in their congregation. I am quite sure that many other musicians in our tribe feel the same way.
Those who want to say the singers are "performing" are simply being insulting. Is the preacher "performing"? How about the adult class teacher? To have them assign malice to the singer's intent hurts so much, I can tell you.
2. What's up with music with notes? I find myself pressured to sing the right notes. It bothers me when I'm not singing the notes on the screen. Should I throw away the song book?
My opinion is YES! Throw it away! I can tell you that the leader wants to see your eyes from time to time more than he wants you singing "the right notes." He hopes that the PT helps you find the right notes, though. (grin)
I hope you understand that those notes are the "language" of music. Imagine if you had a group of 4 people trying to read John 3:16 in unison - except one has KJV, one has NIV, one has RSV, and one has "The Message." If they all read at the same time, NOBODY will be blessed by that reading - in fact, it might hurt the purpose/intent. Same with the notes. Make sense?
3. Does how a service sound affect its quality? At least to some people?
If the singing sounds bad then everyone with a musical ear has a nearly impossible time engaging their hearts in worship. Is this the question you are asking?
Paul said -
Mike I have a question.
The other day I was thinking about our worship service. I keep finding things that catch my attention.
1. What's up with a praise team? I'm not sure I get the purpose. Is it like a guitar for the acappella service?
I think the point of a PT is to have each part represented in "the mix." Especially for larger congregations/gatherings, if you aren't sitting near folks who are singing "your part" and you are not musically inclined, you'll likely default to singing the melody. Nothing wrong with that, but a big part of our heritage is 4-part harmony. Especially as many congregations have moved to lyrics on slides (rather than song books) it is good (I would say "necessary") to have all 4 parts in the PA.
Note that if you're singing with a guitar you are not singing what the guitar is doing exactly. The guitarist is likely strumming chords, but you would be singing a melody line over the chords. Whereas, with a PT, the intent IS to sing exactly what your part is singing on the PT.
Another important point for the PT is to give the people who are gifted musically a good way to use their gift for God's glory and to bless their church family. As a bit of a musician, it has been TREMENDOUSLY HARD for me to feel fulfilled in our tribe. For too many folks there is no place for most of my musical gifts in their congregation. I am quite sure that many other musicians in our tribe feel the same way.
Those who want to say the singers are "performing" are simply being insulting. Is the preacher "performing"? How about the adult class teacher? To have them assign malice to the singer's intent hurts so much, I can tell you.
2. What's up with music with notes? I find myself pressured to sing the right notes. It bothers me when I'm not singing the notes on the screen. Should I throw away the song book?
My opinion is YES! Throw it away! I can tell you that the leader wants to see your eyes from time to time more than he wants you singing "the right notes." He hopes that the PT helps you find the right notes, though. (grin)
I hope you understand that those notes are the "language" of music. Imagine if you had a group of 4 people trying to read John 3:16 in unison - except one has KJV, one has NIV, one has RSV, and one has "The Message." If they all read at the same time, NOBODY will be blessed by that reading - in fact, it might hurt the purpose/intent. Same with the notes. Make sense?
3. Does how a service sound affect its quality? At least to some people?
If the singing sounds bad then everyone with a musical ear has a nearly impossible time engaging their hearts in worship. Is this the question you are asking?
posted by MichaelPolutta at 11:32 AM
8 Comments:
Being a musical person, sometimes I find it even harder for me to worship with singing (ironically) because I am so distracted by wanting to sound "right". However, if I just try to think about the words and just sing whatever comes out, that doesn't really work either because now I know I sound bad and I am still really self-conscious about it. It is very frustrating that I continue to be unsuccessful combining something I love (singing/music) with truly worshipping God. This is why, for myself, I would not feel comfortable being on a praise team; I would be taking something I already struggle with and amplifying the problem. However, that's just me. I'm sure that the majority of people who do sing on a praise team do not have that problem; otherwise, hopefully, they wouldn't do it.
In January, Keith Lancaster is scheduled to come to our congregation and help us with our singing. One of the things the elders have mentioned about this is that he is supposed to get us back on track with 4-part harmony. I am very happy about this because the "new" songs we have been singing are pretty much like the ones we sing at camp, but most of the time there are no notes written out (and we don't have a praise team), so I am just guessing for the alto part. I still feel that we are taking songs written to be sung with accompaniment and trying to turn them into acapella songs, which doesn't always work very well. Plus, many times when the song leaders lead them, they don't do it the way we do at camp (or the way I remember from the youth group), so it just sounds wrong. It's like a middle-aged white woman from Ohio trying to rap. It just ain't right. :) I really hope we can find a way to make it work with 4-part harmony so that we always know which part is what (and it would be the same thing every time--like your illustration with trying to read different versions of the Bible, it works best if we're all on the same page). I find that I do better with focusing on God if I know my part so well that I can sing it automatically without having to think too much about it.
One suggestion for using musical talents "for God": Our congregation has started having a "coffee house" every now and then on a Friday night. We have some girls who play in a bluegrass band who perform while people sit and chat and drink coffee. They are not playing "worship" songs (for the most part), but the event is one of outreach and fellowship, so it's a great thing to bring a non-Christian to so they can come into the building and meet people without it being uncomfortably spiritual for them. I think it is a wonderful way for these girls to use their musical talents (and actually get to use instruments and truly "perform") for ministry without being told that they are doing something wrong or unscriptural. They have even gotten away with doing "I'll Fly Away" and other such songs, and I even saw one of our elders (one of the really conservative ones) clapping his hands to it. :)
Becky,
Thanks for your response.
It seems to me that you need sheet music available for those newer songs - until you get them mostly memorized. Think about it - how much do you really need the song book for "How Great Thou Art"? Or for "Our God, He Is Alive"?
Yes, many are acappella adaptations of CCM songs. Some work well ("Blessed Be Your Name" comes to mind), some do not ("Great Is The Lord" from Michael W. Smith comes to mind). The problem there, imho, would be to continue singing the ones that do not work well.
The thing that I find funny is the acceptance of "I'll Fly Away" in that setting - the (screaming) contradiction must not be evident. The thing I find sad would be the need to answer the question, "Why can't that very talented group play on Sunday?" if, in fact, the outreach was even slightly successful.
I hope Mr. Lancaster can help you guys "take it to the next level."
Yes, sheet music would be very helpful, especially if I could take it home and learn it on my own time. We actually have a singing class on Wednesday nights for people who want to learn the songs, but since I teach the kids then, that doesn't work for me. Also, obviously, the whole church wouldn't be able to come to that class all at once, so we definitely need some other way for everyone to learn the songs. I guess if we just sing them enough during "services" that would do, but if there is no standard for each of the parts, that just doesn't make any sense.
I have to say, I do tend to gravitate toward the older songs because I am so used to singing the parts. I guess it's like my Christmas songs; I associate them with "warm and fuzzy" times. :) (However, unfortunately, a lot of people can't say that. They would associate the old songs with judgement and hypocrisy.)
It is pretty stupid that things labeled as "entertainment" can break all the conservative Church of Christ rules for "worship," when really it is the same thing. For our coffee house, the focus is different than it is on Sunday, which makes me say, "Hmmm, maybe we should re-think what we're trying to do on Sunday." Well, it sounds like maybe that's what the elders are looking to do, so I'm hopeful...
ok... here goes that rebel... that lost son among you (sorry, i have a bit too much fun w/ that image... but we all have an image we enjoy portraying... dif. subject.)... i'm here to start a friendly debate... not divide yon brotherhood.
Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit. Speak to one another with psalms, hymns and spiritual songs. Sing and make music in your heart to the Lord, always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.
well, for the word smiths among you, definitions might be in order since most cannot define what these 3 types of songs are.
Hymn: this is an ode (archaic word for musical poem of sorts) that sings praise to a hero... think of what heros do... they do heroic, daring acts. They win the heart of the princess, slay dragons & save the people. This is what a hymn is... like that yankee Battle Hymn of the Republic. It is a war song, a fight song... a victory chant! it's blood in the eyes and grit in the teeth. it's wiping out the works of an enemy so treacherous that it deserves a movie like 300 or LOTR. A Man's man song. Swords, Guns & Fighting.. Death, Life & Celebration!
Spiritual Song: Think of the ONE song you can actually see WRITTEN in the bible... it's literally an entire book. any guesses? Larry... was that you i heard blurt out the answer?... did you say SONG of solomon? or also called song of songs? that's right... they are often love songs. they even take on a romantic or erotic twist... Did someone say EROTIC and Worship in the same sentence? WOW! Where's that web site? But next time you talk about "I want to know Christ..." think of the intimate knowledge of Adam & Eve. Literally wholly transparent and having a deep, internal connection with the soul & experiences of the other.
- Worship songs (not directly mentioned): generally songs of adoration and love
- Praise Songs (not directly mentioned): a song that declares a worthy or admirable characteristic.
did i leave one out... oh, yes... Then there's Psalms
Psalms: A song sung to Harp music or a plucked instrument. By the way... the book PSALMS... was named incorrectly... it's the equivalent of a good ole fashioned song book. UH-OH, OH CRAP. THERE GOES THE ACAPPELLA STANCE. yes. we are told to speak to one another w/ Psalms... so, do we use this verse as a "no instruments" stance? Mike, bring your guitar any day. I'm tired. I'm tired of bickering. i'm tired of the in-fighting. Now there's the group who will go to the side of saying... well it says "speak." Ok, then if the legality is what you want... then go ahead... next time you pull out a song, psalm or hymn... use no singing at all... simply SPEAK it. I think there is some goode that could come of that... esp. if you do your best to literally speak it, mean it to the receiver. But for those who would say this is a verse about worship and singing... we're clearly misusing this verse if we're saying you must forsake all instruments in worship to an awesome holy father. No, i think that we can find this verse as a strong proponent of using one's musical talent with an instrument in worship... i'm sure that David would look at a guitar as a plucked instrument... i'm sure they would have included Pianos too, but they weren't invented until much later. besides, could you imagine having to tune that thing every time the cloud moved?
Well, here's the debate... here in the NEW TESTAMENT, we clearly have a statement to USE instruments. so, why do we (being the CofC denom, we can choose to debate the DENOM idea later) not use them? Is it JUST TRADITION... ok, that's cool. i'm ok w/ that... But for those who say it's because it's not the RIGHT thing to do... how can we justify this? and trust me, the singing in your heart doesn't cut it... david worshiped w/ all of his heart... even pursued the heart of the Most High while using a harp. So, what's the answer... (this post will be on my blog as well.)
ps.. the blog is the one called GOODE ADVICE
Uh oh Pete. I'm reporting you to the CoC Synod Bishop... or worse... a conservative preacher with all the time in the world on his hands to condemn instruments and write letters to unholy brethren.
Years ago, I loathed praise teams and paid worship ministers. Now, I've come to grips with the idea that Sunday mornings are, unfortunately, vital to our walk with God. Thus, a congregation that spends little or no time on its Sunday morning worship service, will likely not attract or retain members. We, ordinary people, want to feel connected to God... and worship services present that opportunity.
Does everyone know about the "Restore" youth rally for CoC and Christian churches that's starting right here (or there) in the Carolinas??? The Carolinas are actually leading the way in the new Restoration movement. It's a shame many churches don't want to participate.
This comment has been removed by the author.
Crap, i just wanted to replace the last comment with a question...
Murph... are there any links to the Restore youth rally's? web info?
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