Not a Camouflaged Soul

Category: Leadership

  • Coming In At #1 On Our Countdown…

    NOTE TO READERS: A confession… I was going to take a completely different tack with this post. I was going to be critical of churches that didn’t fall in line with the way I think about this subject. However, I got convicted and have reconsidered. The following is based on my own personal beliefs. I return you now to your regularly scheduled blog post…

    As a music pastor, I have one of the best jobs in the world. I mean, think about it. My job is to pick out and present music that glorifies the God of creation and the Savior of the world! I get the privilege to lead people to the throne of our Maker so that they may praise His holy name. I have many songs to choose from that honor our God in three persons, the blessed Trinity.

    In fact, I have so many options, I can’t think of a single reason to use a secular song in a worship context.

    As unpopular as my opinion is in some circles these days, I can’t help it. Singing songs that, from their very conception, have as their goal the adoration of God Almighty provide me with more songs than I will ever have the opportunity to sing this side of glory.

    When Christ Jesus is the subject of a piece of music, it automatically trumps anything the world can produce. Why would I accept second best?

    Granted, the Christian music of a generation ago left something to be desired stylistically. I used to say that “Contemporary Christian” music was about 10-15 years behind the style currently being played on pop radio. But even back then, its purpose was preferable (for the most part) to its secular alternatives. Currently, style is no longer an issue. Christian artists are pushing the envelope of modern music, and are no longer bringing up the rear. And our Savior is still the loftiest ideal about Whom to write music.

    Music is one of the most intense gateways to emotions and memories. The reason movies have soundtracks is to bring about an emotional response or to trigger a memory of a past era or event. It seems to me that using a secular song to tie in with a sermon illustration or even sung (with a lyric changed here and there) invites a worldly perspective into a spiritual encounter. I would even go far as to say that care needs to be taken when using a secular tune with Christian lyrics, as some may associate a worldly memory or experience with the tune.

    I don’t mean to imply that church is a lofty gathering based on the humans present. But I personally have enough trouble focusing on God through my Adamic point of view. I don’t need Top 40’s influence contributing to my distraction.

    I get the idea. And I’ve occasionally considered applications. Ultimately, I believe what Dr. Jerry Falwell used to say: “If it’s Christian, it ought to be better!” What we have is as uplifting and positive as is possible. He is risen indeed! Christ died for us! He is faithful and true! Praise the Lord! THAT’S what OUR songs are about. And it kicks whatever Coldplay is singing about to the curb.

    A brief note about reaching the lost. I am passionate in my concern for the lost. I am also a firm believer that worship is for worshippers. Whatever a church does to get someone to come is what she will have to do to get them to keep coming. And there is plenty of the world out there in the world. I believe we need to give them Jesus within our doors and trust Him to change their lives so that they can truly sing to Him.

    This was hard to write. Just so you know.

    I appreciate those of you on Facebook and Twitter that offered their opinions on this subject. I’d love to see some lively (yet tasteful, please) comments. I welcome differing points of view on this.

  • Bad Sunday

    I once heard it said that, when performing music, there are no mistakes: there are only unintended improvisations. Well, a few Sundays back, I improvised a lot.

    Woke up late. Began worship with my sheet music out of order. Had my volume pedal all the way down on my guitar which caused me to miss the first beat of the first song. Missed a few lyrics. Couldn’t even buy a vowel when talking to the congregation.

    It happens. One thing I have learned from being a musician for so many years is that there are no perfect performances. You learn from mistakes and move on, and try to do better next time.

    Still, I sometimes feel that, because I am singing to Him, for Him, and about Him that I will supernaturally overcome my humanity every time I take my mic in hand.

    Vanity? Maybe. Caring? Yes. Perfectionism? When it pertains to God, not a bad standard, provided it’s coupled with the understanding that you’ll never get there.

    But messing up never stops stinging. And when one is in ministry, you feel like your letting God down if things don’t go just right.

    Then, by the grace of God, I heard something I needed to hear. It was a podcast of Dr. Ergun Caner preaching during Campus Church at Liberty University. He was praising the worship team during the introduction of his message, and he told a story of a picture his youngest son drew for him. While the drawing was not destined to hang in a museum, it was priceless to him.

    That, he related, is the way God views our worship.

    By omnipotent standards, our offerings of worship are mighty frail. We flounder around, lacking focus. But it isn’t the quality or professionalism of what we offer so much as it is the heart of the child of God that offers the adoration that matters to it’s Recipient.

    I’m simply humbled that I get to glorify Him in my uniquely flawed, specifically pathetic way. He’s worthy of more than I can produce. And knowing that makes me feel strangely secure.

    (By the way, check out what my boy drew for me. Cool, right?)

  • Tiger-ade

    This week, I went golfing for the first time in my adult life.

    I really had a good time, and I’m looking forward to going to the driving range to work on what I learned.

    I went with my good friend Jason, who recently got home from serving as a chaplin in Cuba. He is a very good golfer and a fan of Tiger Woods on the Wii. As we stopped at the clubhouse after the 9th hole for a much-needed drink, he remarked that he liked Tiger’s Gatorade. He called it Tiger-ade, and wondered aloud whether or not it improved the golf game of those who drink it.

    That got me thinking…

    if someone drank Jon-ade, what would they be able to do better?

    Jesus left instructions for us, not just to give the Gospel, but to make disciples (Matthew 28:19). Our responsibility does not end when a lost soul is born again: it begins!

    I once heard Steven Furtick say that the church stops serving you when you get saved. Upon our conversion, we are to utilize our spiritual gifts and find a place to serve. And that takes guidance.

    God puts people in our lives that are less spiritually mature than we are, and He wants us to speak into their lives and guide them. We must be willing.

    Our churches are full of spiritually immature Christians, and it is the responsibility of every believer to make the most of the opportunities we are given. We can’t rely on our pastor or church staff to do our jobs for us.

    Is there a thirsty Christian out there that needs a drink only you can provide?