I think that, conservatively, at least half of the Christians you spoke to in a church service could raise criticisms of the sung worship that they just took part in.
I can remember for a long time growing up I would nearly infallibly get distracted by slight mistakes on the part of the performers, issues with the mixing, disagreements with the chosen key or the way the song was written, usually the music not the lyrics.
I would separate out aspects of the worship music, asking how it could be performed better, how could the music be written better, and proclaim that everyone should practice more.
Not about the performance
Reducing the worship songs down into these individual elements I had completely missed point of these songs. Christian congregational worship music is about the congregation lifting their praises to God in song, together.
Although I still occasionally get distracted by these criticisms, I find worship far more enjoyable and engaging now. It is clear to me now that worship is about the praising of God so everything should be assessed in relation to this goal. I think that focusing on this goal as both the congregation and as the performers, composers, songwriters, or lyricists is beneficial to us all.
Roles in worship music
Christian congregational worship music sits in a rather unique position in relation to composers (songwriters), performers and audience (congregation).
Composers write music for various reasons but the resulting music is their focus. A performer is decidedly concerned with the performance.
What is the audience’s concern? I would suggest that this varies on the context. A Christian congregation resembles an audience but is really an equal participant in the corporate act of worship. What is their concern, what is their focus?
The overarching goal of worship together
Let us assume that congregational worship is intended as praise to God; although perhaps not a complete definition it will suffice for the argument. We can say that this is the goal of songs created for Christian worship. Seeing this we should then ask, what prevents these songs from achieving this overarching goal to the best of their ability?
Concerns we should listen to
Concerns we hear all the time which perhaps relate to this are: it’s too high, it’s too low, it’s hard to sing, it doesn’t mention God or Jesus very much and, it’s boring, to name a few.
These concerns are the criteria we should be assessing worship music against since the goal is worshiping God as a congregation. By aiming to reach this goal of supporting a congregation’s worship of God, composers, lyricists and performers are using the talents they have been blessed with to serve the body of the church, a righteous pursuit.
What not to focus on
From this we can say that corporate worship music is not about virtuosic performance or complicated themes. It is about worship music being accessible to the congregation and supporting them as we join together in worship of our great God.
Striving to proclaim God’s glory
By striving towards this goal we should see innovations in the way we perform music. To support the congregation we should see developments in writing as we make songs accessible, we should see congregational worship be a shining beacon of the joy we have in the Glory of God. Let us all focus on this goal and praise the LORD.
This article was originally published in July, 2014.
Sam Gillespie is a composer, programmer and PhD candidate at the university of New South Wales.
Sam Gillespie previous articles may be viewed
www.pressserviceinternational.org/sam-gillespie.html
Sam Gillespie is a composer, programmer and PhD candidate at the University of New South Wales.Sam Gillespie's previous articles may be viewed at www.pressserviceinternational.org/sam-gillespie.html