A few years ago, a college professor gave me wise advise: when it comes to big holidays like Christmas and Easter, don't overdo it. Today, I saw why.
Now, in the mind of the worship planners- the pastor, the music minister/director, worship committee, etc.- holidays like Easter are the times to pull out all the stops (often literally), to really spice up the service with as much special music as can be. Afterall, it's Easter: who wants the same old, same old?
But also in the mind of the worshiper, holidays like Easter are the times to pull out all the stops. That is, people want to sing and sing loudly. They are filled with the glee of Easter morn and want to let it out.
Today, those two minds collided. I visited my roommate's church, here in the St. Louis area, full of the excitement of Easter, worshiping with my roommate, and getting to see a different church; I was bursting to sing. But there were so many choir anthems and so many verses of hymns sung by the choir, that the congregation only sang one piece of liturgy (that's another complaint for another post) and 5 hymns, two of which were "helped out" by the choir. So much for jubilation.
So, let me pass on the wisdom of my college professor to you worship planners (and you who know worship planners): if you want more music, that's great, but have it sung by the congregation.
Well said, Micah.
ReplyDeleteIn my experience, traditional liturgical congregations blessed with musical gifts can very easily fall into the same "performance" trap as the Charismatic mega churches, diminishing the corporate worship experience.
Thank you very much, Pastor, for your kind words.
DeleteAnd your comment was also very well said. I can't think of anything to add, but that your blogs have been a great blessing to me and I check them regularly.