Performance Leader or Worship Leader

I was on my Facebook Wall today and came across a blog that someone had posted in which they thought I might be interested. The particular subject of the blog was "Why Men Have Stopped Singing." It was written by David Murrow on the blog "A Few Good Men."

As I read this short explanation of why men no longer sing during worship services I didn't even ask myself if it were actually true that men have quit singing during church services. I know it is because that is pretty much the case in the church where I worship.

Truth is, sometimes I feel like a lone wolf howling in the night wind during the time of congregational singing. Don't get me wrong. Our worship leader generally does an excellent job of putting together the service. However, when I look around most of the men are just standing in silence like so many fence posts.

There are probably a lot of reasons why and David Murrow has nailed down a few and his readers a bunch more. However, for me the answer lies deeper than "unfamiliarity" with the songs, the pitch of the song, or the femininity of the music. I agree, men want a song pitched in a range in which they can sing, that they would prefer songs they know and that are a bit more masculine.  I believe men like to sing about the "Joy of the Lord" and "Victory in Jesus." I believe they want to both sing to the Lord and sing about the Lord. I don't even think it is the contemporary style of the music that has silenced the men's voices. Again, don't misunderstand me . . . these are all contributing factors.

I believe the change from vibrant robust congregational sing where the men just "opened up and let her fly" started to end the day we started moving our talents to the platform. We did this in a way that showcased the leaders skills and talents. We have a kid who plays drums so lets put him on the platform and use his talents; another plays base so let's get him up there too; and on and on we go. Now we have a band.  We moved the choir out to make room for the speakers, amplifiers, microphones, equalizers and synthesizers. Now our four worship leaders sound like "Jars of Clay" or "Abba" or "Alabama."  Not really . . . but our electronics change the sound coming out of our mouths so that everyone is on pitch and on the right rhythm so we just sound like it. Then the "Band" begins believing that's what they really sound like. If we could just get that preacher to sound more like Billy Graham.

While we were embracing all this "new" way of worshipping an obscure British apologist named John Blanchard was warning of the dangers inherent in a church embracing the new forms and structure approach to worship in a little book called "Pop Goes The Gospel."

Now I know some smart person is going to point out that preachers have been in the spotlight for a long time and people sat quietly through as he performed for them so lets deal with that now. If, and I say if the preacher was front and center so that he could demonstrate his oratorical skills or lack thereof then shame on him. Here is the difference. When the preacher stands to preach he is delivering a message from God to the people. When God speaks it behooves us all to listen. However, there was a time when the "Amens" came from men in the congregation and not women. That is pretty much reversed these days. When the congregation stands to sing and the worship leader (Worship Team) leads them in singing it is to for the people together as the body of Christ to declare to the goodness of God, greatness of God and the things (victories) He has done. God speaks through the sermon and the people respond
through song, testimony and the occasional "amen."

This can happen through any "style" of worship and indeed has and does occur weekly. However, we have forgotten an axiom of worship that is tucked away in B.B. McKinneys assertion that the congregation is the largest and most important choir that the worship leader has. The whole purpose of a worship leader, a worship team, a traditional choral setup is to engage the congregation so that men, women and children participate. Whether it is preaching, singing or whatever if the congregation doesn't go with you it is a failure.

I fear much of what we are doing is play acting and performing not for God but for ourselves. Are we playing the the right notes and singing the right words but what our hearts really mean is not found in the notes and words we sing. First Baptist Church of Orlando gave an example of this when they recorded Don't Worship This Way.

What has happened is we have transformed our worship services from the preacher delivering a message from God to God's people and the worship leader engaging the congregation in corporate worship of God to the church's equivalent of a concert.. As one Worship leader said to me, "I call it "Performance Ministry" as opposed to "Worship Ministry." What we need is fewer Performance Ministers and more Worship Ministers.

The goal of the preacher and the worship team is the same as that of John the Baptist, "He must increase, but I must decrease." We must get back to defining what we are trying to do in worship and periodically and honestly evaluate how well our method, process, and style is achieving that goal. That goal should be to engage as many people as possible in worship.

I believe that if we are honest we'll take notice that not only are the men not singing we will discover that most of the women aren't singing either. If the congregation is not robustly involved  then it's time to ask, "Why aren't they?" and "What can we do to get them involved in worship?"  Remember, if you want them to change then you are going to have to do something different. Don't try to force them into your little box . . . change boxes by getting one into which they will fit.

Goodbye To Tucker

"It's On My Mind" is the title of this blog because it is about whatever happens to be on my mind at any given time. Well, today what's on my mind is a dog. . . not just any dog but a very special dog named Tucker. He was my Buddy . . . He was my Pal.

Now I've never been big on having pets and Lord knows (don't want to offend anyone here) but I've never cared too much for cats. But since a child I have always thought a boy ought to have a dog.

A boy learns a lot from and with his dog. They literally discover the world together. He's your best friend and constant companion. He's always happy to see you and when you're gone he will wait until time is no more for your return and when you do return he is always happy to see you and will greet you more enthusiastically than any friend or relative.  

I know that when I was growing up I had my dog. That dog pretty much went with me every where I went and I suppose I learned about as much from him as I did anyone else. He taught me loyalty, friendship, to be happy with whatever I had at the time and a hundred other things. "Rusty" was what my mom called a Heinz 57 Variety. He had pedigree in spades and he was my firend. As a young boy I cried when Rusty died.

But I digress. It is not Rusty that I am really thinking about today. Today I am thinking of Tucker. He came into our house when our youngest daughter was 19 years old and one of the first things he did besides poop and pee on the floor was chew up the TV/Sound system remote and my middle daughter's glasses.

In time he mastered the potty routines and set up house in a corner where he would spend most of his
day napping. We never tired of watching him walk three times in a circle on his bed before laying down and then pulling his little blanket over not just his body but his head.

He was better than a doorbell . . . he always seemed to know when someone was coming up to the house and would race to the door as though he was a lot bigger six inch legs would indicate. He greeted everyone with barking and tail wagging. When the door opened he would steadily make his retreat.

Tucker had a phenomenal memory. He not only always knew the family members he might be staying with at any given time but he knew all the children and grandchildren as well. He seemed to know when you needed some attention and would let you know he loved you in the way only a good family dog can. All he ever required was a little attention, affection, love and an occasional treat. In retuned he reciprocated with a lot of love and affection.

If you look close in the picture below you'll see Tucker near our patio table. H was always on the look-out for a falling crumb or anything that might pass as food.

Now I don't really have to tell this to the members of the family who used to "hang" with him. Everyone was always asking, "How's Tucker?" To be sure he was a spoiled dog but that might be because he spoiled us in return.

At nearly 15 years of age Tucker, like the rest of us had begun to show his age. His hair, like mine was turning grey and he now had an arthritic limp on his rear left leg. But through all those years he remained loyal to his family and brought a lot of joy to four generations. You see Tucker didn't think of himself as a pet. He thought of himself as a member of the family. A little different from the rest of us but still a part of the family. He loved us and he trusted us to the very end and that is what brings tears to my eyes as I think of "Old Man Tucker" as I had come to call him.  We kinda grew old together. . . And yes, as a grown man, I cried when Tucker died.

We often refer to our dogs as "man's best friend." Well, Tucker may well have been my best friend.

I've always known something about the bond that develops between a boy and his dog and have always thought there just had to be someplace for those wonderful family members we call our pets. Who knows maybe there is a place called Rainbow Bridge for our beloved pets. At least I like to think so.

"Just this side of heaven is a place called Rainbow Bridge.  When an animal dies that has been
especially close to someone here, that pet goes to Rainbow Bridge.  There are meadows and hills for all of our special friends so they can run and play together.  There is plenty of food, water and sunshine, and our friends are warm and comfortable.  All the animals who had been ill and old are restored to health and vigor; those who were hurt or maimed are made whole and strong again, just as we remember them in our dreams of days and times gone by.  The animals are happy and content, except for one small thing; they each miss someone very special to them, who had to be left behind.  They all run and play together, but the day comes when one suddenly stops and looks into the distance. His bright eyes are intent; His eager body quivers. Suddenly he begins to run from the group, flying over the green grass, his legs carrying him faster and faster.  You have been spotted, and when you and your special friend finally meet, you cling together in joyous reunion, never to be parted again. The happy kisses rain upon your face; your hands again caress the beloved head, and you look once more into the trusting eyes of your pet, so long gone from your life but never absent from your heart.  Then you cross Rainbow Bridge together...."

Billy Currington sings a song called "Like my Dog Does" and he really does hit the nail on the head when it comes our dogs. We could learn a lot from our dogs.

So much could be said but I dare say no dog was ever loved by more people than "Old Man" Tucker. He had a good and long life for a dog . . .  I just wish it could have been a little longer.