I was in a car with a pastor friend of mine and his wife. She began to express how much she liked a particular song. While she was talking I began humming the words to the song in my head and exclaimed, “This song has A LOT of words!” The pastor nodded his head and said, GOOD! Most songs now don’t have many words.” He went on to say that the few words they do have, focus more on us and not God. I responded with “huh?” The pastor reminded me of some words to several songs and how everything is about us.
Well, I can see that. But, it seems those songs are more about what He does for us than simply us. There’s nothing wrong with singing songs about all the great things God’s done for us. It’s all gravy as long as it’s balanced by simply singing songs that are just about Him and His greatness.
Maybe some of these songs are misunderstood. After all, I’m the type of person that makes statements and some information is omitted because it’s implied. We sing about what we are and our heritage as Apostolics, but the fact that He got us there is omitted. Well… That’s because it’s implied. That’s all fine and dandy, but what about the person that comes to the church from off the street and totally misses this implication? That may be a good time to actually sing a song about Him and how He turned your life around.
Reminds me of when the disciples were complaining to Jesus about how he didn’t hold any punches when addressing them, but when he spoke to the multitudes, he spoke in parables. Sometimes you just have to cater to the people there. I know that sometimes we really like a song, but the music ministry’s main goal (in most places) isn’t to minister to the music ministry. The goal is to lead people to a new experience in Christ and prepare them for the preaching of the Word. That’s probably not getting done if the songs going forth make no sense to the people listening to them. Next time you’re in your church, observe who’s around and what songs are being sung. You can even observe the comments made by others through the service. See if you can tell if the people are being ministered to or if they’re just plain confused. Try not to laugh out loud.
I apologize for the late post.
Well, I can see that. But, it seems those songs are more about what He does for us than simply us. There’s nothing wrong with singing songs about all the great things God’s done for us. It’s all gravy as long as it’s balanced by simply singing songs that are just about Him and His greatness.
Maybe some of these songs are misunderstood. After all, I’m the type of person that makes statements and some information is omitted because it’s implied. We sing about what we are and our heritage as Apostolics, but the fact that He got us there is omitted. Well… That’s because it’s implied. That’s all fine and dandy, but what about the person that comes to the church from off the street and totally misses this implication? That may be a good time to actually sing a song about Him and how He turned your life around.
Reminds me of when the disciples were complaining to Jesus about how he didn’t hold any punches when addressing them, but when he spoke to the multitudes, he spoke in parables. Sometimes you just have to cater to the people there. I know that sometimes we really like a song, but the music ministry’s main goal (in most places) isn’t to minister to the music ministry. The goal is to lead people to a new experience in Christ and prepare them for the preaching of the Word. That’s probably not getting done if the songs going forth make no sense to the people listening to them. Next time you’re in your church, observe who’s around and what songs are being sung. You can even observe the comments made by others through the service. See if you can tell if the people are being ministered to or if they’re just plain confused. Try not to laugh out loud.
I apologize for the late post.
TJ
ReplyDeleteI liked your idea about how Jesus used parables for the people and spoke plainly to the disciples. Yet another example of Jesus modeling for us how to do ministry properly. He really was perfect!
Our songs are a little lopsided these days. Too much Leitourgia (us to God) and not enough Koinonia (fellowship; us to us talking about Him) or Kerygma (proclaiming his attributes; one to many). I don't mind "love songs to Jesus" as long as we remember that He's fierce, fiery, a judge, a warrior, that sin exists, that the cross was real, that repentance is necessary, etc., etc. Where are those subjects in our songs?
AA
Thanks Ann. I agree. I've begun trying to write songs about some of these very things.
ReplyDelete