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If you live by technology
I think we have all heard the old saying that if you live by technology, then you die by technology. Well, this past Sunday that was put to the test at my church. All seemed to be going well, we finished our first song, I spoke briefly, even cracking some kind of a joke, then we finished the second song. That was when it started to happen…. Pastor came up to do the offering thing and the lights began to flicker. They went out two or three times before going out and staying out. As I stood on the stage having never faced this kind of problem before I began to get kinda nervous. Then I decided that the show must go on. We were doing a song that most people knew anyway so I stepped to the front of the stage and addressed the congregation. I told them that when Jesus walked the earth they did not have electricity, or fancy keyboard, projectors, computers, microphones, or any of the tools that we use each Sunday, yet they still managed to worship God; so we were not going to let this stop us, and I began to sing. This was one of the rare moments when I actually get to hear the congregation so I was taken to a very worshipful place. We were singing “There’s Just Something About That Name,” being a fairly short song I decided to repeat the whole thing. Well, the second time we sang it I looked out over the congregation and saw something wonderful. Without the distraction of the MediaShout, or for that matter the sound system, the instruments or anything else, I noticed that there were a lot of people with their eyes closed, worshiping. It was a beautiful moment, but it made me wonder if we as leaders of worship ever actually get in the way? Have you ever had a boss, or coach, or leader in any role that you felt was holding you back, preventing you from reaching your full potential. I try very hard to remember that what I do each Sunday is not about me. I remind my team regularly that it is not about them either. I think that many leaders of worship would agree with me on these two points. However, are we instead making it about the presentation? Do we place more attention on the MediaShout, or on the fancy instruments that we use, or the killer sound system? I don’t think that any of does that on purpose, but if we don’t take steps to avoid that, then we are still guilty.So, what do we do about it? I think that the answer is simple. First make sure that your heart is in the write place. If your heart is truly to do all you do to glorify God, then you are on the right track. However, I also think that we should step aside every now and then. So remove anything that might be a distraction and let the people really connect with God…..
February 9, 2008 at 18:22
That’s awesome!
Kind of reminds me of the story behind Matt Redman’s “Heart of Worship” song. They chose deliberately to lose all of the “stuff” we typically associate with church/modern worship.
If you haven’t heard it look it up sometime.
February 9, 2008 at 20:27
Thanks. I hadn’t thought about the connection between this post and that song. You are right it is perfect. As I understand this is the same kind of thing that Matt Redman was thinking when he wrote the song. I think I may have to add that song to the set list for next week. Thanks for your reply, and for reminding me of that song.
February 10, 2008 at 16:06
A wise man once told me that my rope as a worship leader was to get things started and get out of the way. I’ve tried to live by that. Sometimes it’s hard finding the balance between the desire to bring artistry and style into the worship space and not allowing it to distract the worshiper. For me a constant struggle.
February 19, 2008 at 03:26
Since we just got a ton of new technology that we ONLY desire to use to make much of God, it is a constant tightrope walk. http://www.worshiptrench.com/?p=291 to see our experiences good and bad thus far.
March 1, 2008 at 14:57
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