I am afraid I was, and sometimes still am, replacing worship with music. It’s the balance between allowing culture to affect me and yet being in the culture that I live in, which I believe is absolutely a necessity as a Christian (Matthew 5:13-16). I love music of all types. I would love to go see the U2 IMAX experience. I would love to watch the San Francisco Symphony play Mozart. I’d love to listen to Chick Correa bang on his keys. I’d love to see the didgeradoo played skillfully. Someone in our church just told me he plays the hammer dulcimer which I can’t wait to hear him play. But all of these are a means and never the end. But when they become the end, we become in danger of worshipping created things, rather than the Creator even in the church (Romans 1:22-23).
Bob Kauflin has a great post that deals with certain dangers that exist with worship music. I can’t agree more with him. Here are the dangers and you can go to the post for his explanations:
The commercialization of worship music
Influence of the rock concert culture in the church
Lack of teaching on worship in the church
Lack of musical variety in the church
May I also add:
Attempt to manipulate people through the emotions of music (which I have done in the past)
Lack of depth of the songs sung
PSam,
In the past, I’ve had a tough time believing some of the arguments on this topic. I still struggle with some things but for the most part, I see where you and Bob are coming from.
Can i ask a question? Bob states the following: “Congregations need to be taught that being emotionally moved by music is not the same as being morally changed by the Spirit.” – in which i totally agree. My question is, during worship, how can a praise leader discern “manipulated” emotion vs. spiritually led worship? Maybe i’m missing the point?
Posted by Stella | February 26, 2008, 3:36 pm