The following is part of a series of blog posts dedicated to exploring John Wesley’s Rules for Singing. 1. Sing all. See that you join with the congregation as frequently as you can. Let not a slight degree of weakness or weariness hinder you. If it is a cross to you, take it up and you will find a blessing. For every Sunday that I have led worship; for every special event where I have led congregational singing, there is … Read More
Suffering: The Elephant in the Sanctuary
What does slap-happy, pump-you-up worship do? (1) It makes you feel great for a moment. (2) It marginalizes those who are suffering.
If all we’re interested in as worship leaders is planning a worship service that has the spiritual effect of being a “holy pep talk,” we’ve done a great disservice to the body of Christ. But, oh, is it tempting. There have been several times in my past where I’ve sold out to what I knew would give me positive feedback. I had planned a set of fast, happy, and at least partially superficial songs. It sure makes you feel great as a worship leader when everyone is engaged and comes away energized and excited.
Bobby McFerrin, the Pentatonic Scale, Aesthetic Objectivism, and Worship Wars
My friend Erick pointed me to this interesting video of Bobby McFerrin at a science forum: Bobby McFerrin Pentatonic Scale from houbero on Vimeo. I have not peered into the discussion that follows McFerrin’s presentation, but my hunch, based on the closing comments, is that they would explore the implications of the fact that, cross-culturally, the pentatonic scale is universally recognized and apprehended. This is a fascinating observation, which flies in the face of postmodern cultural relativism. I don’t think … Read More
Leading Worship with iPhone Virtual Instruments
Someone in my worship network email list sent me this link. This is fascinating, not simply because it’s “cool” but because of the cultural and philosophical analysis associated with it. My own classical sensibilities fight stuff like this because it is “inauthentic.” Anything not acoustic, not naturally amplified, plugged-in, or digitally processed somehow compromises the creative artistry of music-making, so those sensibilities say. However, if you notice, they’re playing on fretboards, not simply pressing “on.” They’re strumming and providing rhythm … Read More
When Calvinism Goes Awry: David Bazan’s Falling Out
I’m a little behind in my indie-rock listening. In the late 90s and early 2000s, I was a big fan of indie band, Pedro the Lion. My indie/emo-dude roommate in college took me to a show in a little club in LA (called Chain Reaction at the time) where I witnessed the mesmerizing performance that cut against the grain of any other rock show I’d ever been to. David Bazan, the front man, was (and is) a prophet. His lazy, … Read More
On Worship: Consumerism, God as the “Sky Fairy,” and Authenticity
I’ve got a new friend, colleague, and ally in the quest to raise the bar on evangelical worship. His name is John Gooch. He’s a new M.Div. student (worship emphasis) at Denver Seminary, and even as he leads worship at various churches, he’s been a part of our pastor’s group committed to weekly reflection, mentorship, and accountability in ministry. John recently wrote a paper reflecting on Mark Driscoll’s, The Radical Reformission (Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2004). This was part of an … Read More