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.
6 comments:
Good thoughts. Andrea and I have actually seen the culture at Genesis shifting since we came back in May. I'm not sure exactly what it is, but we have noticed it.
As I was reading the blog, I couldn't help but picture this little girl in the front row yesterday -- jumping up and down to the music, dancing, HUGE grin on her face -- just loving it. It made me think once again - about how God wishes we were more like that. We've learned what is "appropriate" - but I'm not sure from whom.
One specific thought I have regarding "leading" is this: A friend showed me a video of me leading worship one night and asked me, "What do you see?" And I said, "Well, not much since my eyes are closed 90% of the time..." He agreed and started talking about how we build walls on stage.. about how we can easily separate ourselves from the people... about how opposite this is from "lead worshiping" or whatever you call it.
If I have my eyes closed, I am communicating a message whether I like it or not. People see me and think, "Oh.. the way to really connect with God is if I separate myself like he's doing... close my eyes.. forget my surroundings..." I think there is a time for that - to be swept away, but at the same time, I think we need to engage with those that are watching us. To be fully engaged with the lyrics, the music, to Jesus, and most importantly to the people.
That may sound weird - that we need to be connected to the people more than to Jesus, but hear me out: we are LEADING people, right? If we can't look at them, talk to them, realize that they are really there and are waiting/hoping to be led, then we might as well get off the stage.
Some of these thoughts are fresh, others that I'm sharing I've had for quite some time so forgive me as I've rambled a bit here... I'll stop in a sentence or two.
It's important for us to know our music well, it's important for us to be following Jesus, and it's important for us to engage with the people. That's where I'm at today.
Don't think I'm a hypocrite when you see me with a music stand... hehe.
Mariam, I think this is a good point. We don't want to be fake in our expression of worship and I don't think that will bring any fruit. I think what you said is true, we have to be who God has made us to be, and I think that as lead worshipers that means openly and transparently worshiping God in front of everyone and that's tough to do, but I think we can learn to do that more as a team, by worshiping when we are with each other, once that comfort is there as a band, then I think it will be easier to take that next step showing our honest expression of worship to God in front of the whole church.
What you said makes perfect sense, and it's a good point that we have a responsibility to playing the right notes and making the music good - which is why we need preparation outside of our rehearsals, so we can start worshiping and not learning songs every time we're all together... does that make sense?
I guess something I'd like to see is for us to learn the songs more so
that when we rehearse, there's not the "how do we play this song convo" but rather hey we know these songs, we're going to do this song a bit lighter, or a bit louder or faster or slower or whatever, and then we just say hey let's take this time to experience God together.
Maybe that means getting together once a month beyond rehearsals and all just sitting down and collectively worshiping, with a piano, with a guitar, with nothing but our hearts wide-open toward God and through that maybe God will take us to the place we're we won't be able to turn away from that when we are on stage.
But I think preparation is what will enable us to worship more freely - when we are to the point with the songs that we don't have to think
about the next chord or lyric, that's when I worship that's when I
find myself going beyond singing or playing, but connecting with God in worship.
Phil has made some amazing points - I really like the focus on there being a difference between personal and corporate worship. That's what I was trying to talk about initially!
Wow. Lot's of great stuff in here, guys and gal. I love it. Ryan - you're totally right... different stuff for different people. We will hopefully always be on this journey of "how do we point people to Jesus" and "how do we allow them a chance to respond to Him".
I've also learned over the past few years, that the times that I'm most "free" and maybe even "authentic" is when I'm leading with my friends or I'm leading for my friends (or both I guess). It's a little more awkward to point people to Jesus with whom you know little about. Relationship is huge in all of this.
I also think it'd be a great way for us to grow together -- to sit down every so often with a few folks and play some worship tunes... and worship together... Phil and Will (haha) - I love those thoughts regarding that.
Mariam... some great thoughts, too, on how do we come together as a band... I think in its essence, that is what will help point people to Jesus.. the more we are able to smile/laugh/love each other, the easier it will be for the people that "watch" us or engage on Sundays to do the same.
Oh - how come I'm the only dork with a picture next to my posts? Come on people, get with the nerdery of technology.... and I'll say something about worship so this isn't a waste of space...
"...worship the Lord in the beauty of His holiness." - Psalm 29:2
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