Recently in conversations with our one and only Phil Kinney we were discussing the depth of response displayed by the congregation. Through our talkings we also looked at our own band and the sometimes dull expressions on our faces and in our demeanor when playing for the one true God. It's pretty unbelievable sometimes that I can worship God and have only the next chord or phrase on my mind rather than thoughts of my creator. But I think that perhaps what we are seeing in the congregation is a direct reflection of what is happening on stage.
I'm going to throw a few thoughts out there and see where they land, please feel free to comment on one or more of them. Keep in mind I'm not really talking about any specific band, these are general observations, not criticisms and many of them are about me and how I have personally been leading...
- Is if fair for us as lead worshipers to sit back and say I wish people at Genesis would worship more openly, when in our leading we often are quite reserved. My thoughts are often so wrapped up in the next part of a song or the next song that I have moments where I'm not connected to God and my visible response, is not the overwhelming joy I experience when I worship Him.
- What if we really let loose on stage and showed people that honestly, those moments leading worship were really the best part of our week, we had fun, laughed, sang and played with huge smiles, jumped around, got into a song, shouted at the top of our lungs afterward crying out to God how wonderful He is - would that give the people out front more freedom to do such things?
- Is the next step for us as lead worshipers to take our bands together in that smaller corporate setting to the next level of response, be it a joyful response, a heartfelt cry to God or another? In doing so, would we spur on the type of honesty we long to see in our the people who join us in worship at Genesis?
I think these are some things to consider. I have sat down with the core of my band and had talks about taking us to new places, and that requires each person being on board to go there personally in front of a bunch of people. I think that can be somewhat scary, but well worth it to serve as a part of bringing others closer to God. I think the key to this is open dialogue, asking and answering tough questions like are we honestly responding on stage, or are we so ill-prepared that we can't worship because we have to "learn" the music as we're playing? I know this happens to me at times. Am I afraid of what people will think if I go crazy in worship in front of them, am I afraid no one else will respond?
I think there are others to ask but hopefully those get us started. And for us to go together to the depths of worshiping God corporately in our bands in front of everyone else, will hopefully give others the freedom to join us on our corporate journey as a church to connect to God.
