I find it easy to get into ruts of doing the same thing all the time. I get this way with my school work, my relationship with Rose, and with my free time.
I also think this happens with worship teams at churches all the time, Sunset’s included. We play the same style of song, same style of music, with the same instruments every weekend (obviously I’m being a bit of a pessimist here). This is good for the congregation inviting friends and family because they know what to expect. The other side of that is that things can just get old, and the passion is lost.
On Friday night I was inspired to get out of the rut of doing worship music the same way every Sunday morning. As I posted about last weekend, I saw Phil Wickham in concert (thanks to Amos for the pictures). It was his voice and his acoustic guitar and it was powerful. He played for 1 hour and 20 minutes. The average worship cd that comes out and is emulated by every church in the world has a completely full band, but I think seeing Phil was a reminder that worshiping God through music isn’t about having a full band or emulating a cd.
Coming in the summer we’re going to try at least one weekend with a very simplified instrumentation. Probably a piano, acoustic guitar, maybe some light rhythm, and a couple vocals. I’m excited to see what God can do with us changing up the pace. I have a feeling changing it up will allow people to enter into worship in a fresh way.
I agree! I believe very strongly God speaks in different ways. Sometimes with a voice of thunder but often in a still small voice. We have the opportunity to engage people in new and fresh ways. I’m excited to give it a try.
I definitely agree. One of my favorite things is often the simplicity of worship at times. Moreso than this, however I love it when I’m able to read the thoughts, so to speak, of the worship leader. Especially for me, that goes a long way in determining the trueness of the music I’m hearing. (and feeling) Im not one to think that worship should only be possible through “good” music, because of course the music isn’t the point. But we all know how easy it is to get sidetracked these days when the music quality isn’t so good (especially us musicians)
I’m a very observant person, also, so its very hard, especially when visiting or trying out new churches, to not notice these types of attitudes in the leaders at a church. It really moves me when I visit a church and can see the worship within a worship leader’s heart. Because you know as well as I do that not all worship leaders are up there for the purposes of worship. I’m not attempting to point at anyone, thats not my purpose. But its at times easy to read into the leaders who in that moment don’t even realize that they’re on stage vs the leaders who are leading as rock stars.
All this to say, I was very moved by Phil’s performance as well. Those types of experiences pull at my heart so much, wishing that I could experience something as true and real and raw as that on a weekly, if not daily, basis.
Good post. I would like to see our church eventually break out of their “norm.”
Amos- I was just thinking the only other Amos I know is Amos Lee the recording artist…he is awesome.
Anyway, I totally agree with your thoughts. As much as worship is about the church as a whole and the individual person…I do think it takes leaders who are worshiping. We always say that worship starts with us and God and showing that to the congregation allows them to follow us.
Great thoughts, Tyler. My wife and I lead worship for our church’s youth group and most weeks we do it with just my guitar and her voice. It provides an opportunity for the students to exist in thought and worship in a very simply way - very different from the loud and flashy world that they exist in at high school and middle school.
CJ Mills // http://www.visualtrademark.com
Great post. I’m a lead worshiper as well. I try to do this a least once or twice a year. When I do it, I like to clear the “stage” area completely. Its usually a guitar and two voices (inlcuding mine) and a djembe at most. Then we move the three of us over to a corner of the stage. Its just emptiness for the most part and simplicity. Its usually a wonderful time. I appreciate you bringing this up, cause its about time to bring this back around.
This thought is definitely going around
We are going to begin mixing some things up like this. 2 weeks from now we are doing a stripped down team. Conga, Acoustic and 2 vocals. I know the church will be surprised, but I also feel that they will enjoy.
I really love the stripped down approach. it really lets you evaluate whether or not your getting dependent on something.
We’ve only done this once in the past three years. It was powerful and moving. We should absolutely consider doing this again.