Missing Silence

Yesterday at church our pastor gave a wonderful sermon that I didn't want to hear. There was so much on my heart and mind that all that seemed necessary to me was a place to be still and talk to God. As good as the message was, I really felt like shouting "Could I please get a little quiet?" Not wanting to embarrass Will, Lisa or Marilyn I kept my cool, but that overwhelming urge reminded me of this post, first shared on a Sunday afternoon way back in September of 2009 after attending a worship service. It still speaks to me. I hope it speaks to you as well...

Over the years I have worked in a wide variety of churches, and I admit that I am a bundle of contradictions when it comes to worship. I love traditional Quaker worship (about as traditional as it gets!) and I love emergent worship aimed at those who can't deal with traditional. You see, I want it all! Anyone who knows me understands how important music is to me, and I love all types of worship music. I can understand what the psalmist meant when he wrote "make a joyful noise to the Lord" because to me they are all joyful noises! I love classic hymns like It Is Well With My Soul, Come Thou Fount, Joyful, Joyful We Adore Thee and Amazing Grace. I love the gospel bluegrass style of When The Roll Is Called Up Yonder and I Saw the Light. I love great modern songs like Awesome God, Shout To the Lord, Thy Word and Where Justice Rolls Down. And I love to rock out with the newest praise and worship stuff from people like Chris Tomlin, David Crowder and Starfield. The opening chords to No One Like You from Crowder light a fine in my soul. I loved leading music in church, at youth groups and at Quaker Lake. Music moves me and is an important part of my worship experience. Music helps provide the passion in worship.

I also love a good sermon. To be taught new insights into scripture, to be inspired, to be moved by the spoken word is an important part of the worship experience. Listening to Matthew Hartsfield on a Sunday morning or Tony Campolo anytime can really rattle my cage. I also love when pastors choose to communicate in different ways- through drama, video and other creative forms. I love leaving a service feeling inspired and challenged in my walk with Christ.

Marilyn, Will and I currently attend a church where they do the above things exceptionally well. Van Dyke Church has a variety of great music and pastors who deliver solid messages with style and creativity. But once again this morning I discovered the one thing they don't do well, the one thing very few churches do well anymore. They are missing silence.

Growing up at New Garden Friends Meeting (and continuing later at Springfield) we learned how to "do" silence. Each week there was a 15-25 minute period of "open worship" or "Communion after the manner of Friends" during which there was silence. It followed the message, and people would often stand and speak to what God was laying on their hearts about the sermon. But even if no one spoke, it was a much needed time of "being still" before God and listening for the still, small voice. This practice continued through my days at Quaker Lake, where on the Vespers Hill and at the Campfire Circle we would center our thoughts in periods of silence, meditation and prayer. We believed what George Fox, the original Quaker, had said in the 1650's- "There is one, even Christ Jesus, who can speak to my condition." So we listened for Him. Many of the great spiritual moments of my life took place in those periods of total silence.

Now, the silence has been replaced by background noise. This morning we had a time of silent meditation at Van Dyke, but the piano played the entire time. This is the norm at most churches that have "silence." One time at FUMC-Kissimmee, I had preached the Ash Wednesday service, and wanted a period of silent meditation to accompany the implementation of the ashes. Our Associate Pastor, Rodney, emphasized that while he knew people were not really comfortable with silence, this would be total silence for a few moments. He finished by saying "so as the organ plays, settle into this time of silent meditation." Too funny.

Silence scares people in the church. It is too intimate. What if God is actually trying to speak to me? Do I really want to hear Him? When we open ourselves to the silence and actually listen for God's voice, we join the ranks of the many biblical heroes who listened- and seldom heard what they wanted to hear! So I have to find my times of quiet and solitude with God outside of Church these days. That is not all bad. But still, I feel sorry for those who don't know how amazing silence can be. And I wonder if God is being heard like He should be in our world today.

So give me a great sermon, a Chris Tomlin worship set and a slick video to challenge my mind and my spirit. But please, leave me some to "be still and know that He is God." I do miss the silence...

Because of Jesus,

Have You Seen Jesus My LORD?

I originally shared this post in April of 2012. Last night I found myself on another walk with Conner, once again humming this song. Seemed right to share it again (even though last night was hot & muggy rather than cool & breezy) on this fine Sunday morning! :)

Last night I was walking my dog. That is not at all unusual. I walk Conner every night, usually between 8:30 and 9:00. Lately I have filled this time with phone calls and texts, entertaining myself while I walk. But last night I didn't even take my phone. It was a beautiful night with a slight chill in the air (so rare in Tampa this time of year) and a sky full of stars. As I walked and looked at God's creation, I suddenly found myself singing. Again, that is not at all unusual- I sing to myself quite often. Then I realized what song I was singing. It's a song called Have You Seen Jesus My Lord?  This gorgeous praise song, written by John Fischer (and published by one of my heroes, the great Yohann "YO" Anderson for Songs & Creations) in 1970, was a song we sang at camp in the early 70s. The Quaker Lake Camp staff used to sing it when we led worship in local churches on Sunday mornings during the summer. It had a great harmony part on the chorus that I loved singing with Martha Ratledge Farlow. I had probably not tried to sing it in nearly 20 years. Yet there I was, walking under the stars, remembering every word and every note. And I was worshiping. Big time. Too often we think of worship as something that happens on Sunday morning. Worship is a lifestyle. These words reminded me of that as I offered praise to my God last night. I hope they will remind you today. God is everywhere, Look around you. See the evidence. 

CHORUS

 Have you seen Jesus my LORD?

He's here in plain view

Take a look. open your eyes

He'll show it to you

Have you ever looked at the sunset

with the sky mellowin' red

and the clouds suspended like feathers?

Then I say...you've seen Jesus my LORD

CHORUS

Have you ever stood at the ocean

with the white foam at your feet

felt the endless thundering motion?

Then I say...you've seen Jesus my LORD

CHORUS

Have you ever looked at the cross

with a man hangin' in pain

seen the look of love in His eyes?

Then I say...you've seen Jesus my LORD

CHORUS

Have you ever stood in the family

with the LORD there in your midst,

seen the face of Christ on each other?

Then I say...you've seen Jesus my LORD

We don't have to search for Jesus. He is already where we are. The question is, are we too busy, too loud and too self-involved to see Him and to give him the praise He deserves? May I suggest a nice quiet walk to put things in perspective...  Be blessed, my friends!

Because of Jesus,

Worshipping Worship

For many, today is a day of worship. We enter into our sanctuaries, our auditoriums, our Fellowship Halls and our worship rooms all in the name of God. We worship through music, the spoken word and through liturgy. Our styles and traditions may vary, but we come to worship in the name of Jesus. 

Or do we? Too often we judge our worship experiences by human standards. We either love the soaring guitar solos or miss the classic beauty of organ music. We love singing the hymns our parents sang or we throw our hands in the air at the direction of a praise leader leading us in the newest songs. We listen to sermons, either soaking in the teaching or complaining about how long it is to our neighbor. We may be at church because it communion Sunday; or we may be skipping church for the same reason. We wonder about baptism. Is it for babies or adults? Is it blasphemous to be baptized for a second time? And why does THIS pastor do it THAT way- our last one was MUCH better? Our thought process often revolves around how  the elements of worship effect ME rather than how do they help me praise God. We often seem to worship the act of worship more than we worship the One who created both it and us.

Do we show up for church services expecting a "good show" or anticipating the presence of God? Do we despise change in our worship styles because we are certain that God hates change as well? Do we sing words of praise because we want to bring glory and honor to our Creator or because it has a good beat and we can clap to it? Are we in church to hear a preacher or to seek out THE teacher? Do we gather to hear what God has to say to us, or because we have always gone to church? These are important things to know. We may be able to fool ourselves into believing we understand worship, but we cannot fool God- because God is no fool. Now go- and give praise to the LORD!

#TBT: Easter Sunrise Services

Happy Maundy Thursday! As long as I can remember Easter Sunrise Services were a part of my life. Beginning when I was in middle school our youth group always played a part in the service, and from the time I took over as Youth Director at New Garden Friends Meeting in 1979 they became an important part of our ministry. Today, with the glorious celebration of Resurrection Sunday awaiting in just a few days, I give you 7 random Sunrise Service memories from over the years. Enjoy, and have a blessed Easter weekend. He is risen!!!

1. At New Garden Friends Meeting (1979-83) we had the service (weather permitting) in the church cemetery. The cemetery is very old, with graves dating back to the Revolutionary War. There was something unique about celebrating the empty tomb in a graveyard. It was a 6 AM service and the youth provided a breakfast afterwards. I remember picking up hundreds of Krispy Kreme doughnuts one year, and making something called Hot-Crossed Buns another. Seriously. Insert bun joke here.
2. At Springfield Friends Meeting (1986-1994) we tried a variety of services (including another very old cemetery) but finally hit upon one that worked- the Flowering Cross. Everyone would bring cut flowers from home, and at the conclusion of the service we would turn an "old rugged cross" into something alive. I usually sang the old Don Francisco classic He's Alive, made famous by Dolly Parton. I did not do any Dolly impressions...



Avis & her Bunny Creation

3. While technically not at a Sunrise Service, I did do an Easter Bunny impression one year. Avis Rees, wife of our pastor, told a resurrection story about an empty egg, and asked me to dress as a bunny for the drama. Against the advice of her own children, I accepted. She even made the costume. I wore it- and many people were never the same. One of our dear old friends from those days, Lori Cox, maintains to this day that her family joined SFM because any church with a youth pastor crazy enough to dress like that must be OK.
4. During my days at FUMC-Kissimmee (1994-2000) we did a 6 AM service down by the Kissimmee lakefront. It never failed to be an adventure. The youth group did the entire service, and at 6 AM you were just never sure who would actually show up. It didn't help any that the time seemed to "spring forward" that weekend every year so we would lose an hour of sleep. One year we were doing a drama, and the student who was playing Jesus over slept. Another year it was a young woman who was supposed to sing a solo. Andrew Lewis and I would be down at Lake Toho around 4:30 on Easter morning setting it all up- and then we would do breakfast afterwards for the church. It was always just a little insane. And that's not even counting the year the city didn't turn off the sprinkler system. We had a mass baptism. complete with screaming.
5. Easter Sunday was spectacular at the Union Church of Hinsdale (2000-2001) but the youth had nothing to do with it- and there was no Sunrise Service despite having a gorgeous setting just across the street. Even at Easter there was no way all those rich folk were getting up that early for church! Yet another bummer for UC.
6. At Wesley Memorial UMC (2001-2005) one year our music director Jason Deese decided to use the Youth Praise Band at the Sunrise Service out in front of the church. Electric guitars, live drums- the works. The neighbors (not only of the church, but of my family- we lived right next door!) were not amused at this early serenade, and the police stopped by to ask us to be quiet. There is no...well, very little... truth to the rumor that my wife made that call...
7. Easter 2006 found me at Trinity UMC in Waycross, GA, where the "early" service followed a huge breakfast. It was my first time preaching to that congregation. You know, if you screw up an Easter sermon you really have no business preaching at all. Fortunately it went well, and I got to preach several more time that year.

And I haven't been at a Sunrise Service since. The church we attend now does lots of Easter services beginning on Saturday afternoon. but nothing earlier than 9 am on Sunday. My mind is still packed with great ideas for planning a Sunrise Service, and one of these days I am going to unleash them on an unsuspecting congregation. Because if you can't get excited and have awesome, creative worship to celebrate the resurrection, you have issues. I mean come on people- He's alive!  Have a blessed day!!!

Because of Jesus,

Ain't Life Funny?

Last Sunday Marilyn and I journeyed to Kissimmee to hear our dear friend Wayne Cook preach at FUMC. We attended the traditional service at 11 am, and for the first time in a very long time I got to sing some traditional hymns out of a traditional hymnal. As often happens in the wilderness known as Carl's brain, this led to some very random thoughts this week concerning church music. Most of you are aware that I worked in churches for nearly 30 years (until 2007) and for the last 8 years have attended a large, contemporary church here in Tampa. Lately the choices that have been made concerning music in worship there have irritated me (especially on Christmas Eve), and pondering those thoughts led to this...

From my earliest memories of attending church services the hymns that we sang tended to be...well to be honest, ancient! In the 1970s most mainstream churches seemed committed to not singing any congregational music composed after 1900. During my early years in youth ministry I remember trying to slide in some camp/youth group songs sung with guitar on various occasions, but it was like pulling teeth- a painful process. As the years passed and my calling took me different places that seldom seemed to vary. It was at FUMC-Kissimmee in the mid-90s where Andrew Lewis first introduced me (and that church) to a new wave of contemporary praise music. These were songs that became staples of our youth worship; the congregation could handle the new stuff about once a month. As with many, many churches we created a special service (in the Fellowship Hall, because it wasn't REAL church!) for people who enjoyed the new style. It seemed that Andrew, myself and a few others were constantly pushing to get more contemporary music in worship, and Pastor John Willis was supportive, but it was never an easy discussion to have with the church elders. The music continued to be at least 100 years old for the most part. Then just when we were making some headway, Pastor Willis was moved and The Pastor Who Shall Not Be Named showed up and did away with ALL contemporary praise music. Except for Youth Sunday. And on Youth Sunday we blew their doors off...

Marilyn, Will & I then moved to Chicagoland, where the worship got more traditional and the hymns got even older! My suggestions of more modern songs were met with concerns that we were "dumbing down" worship just so people would like it more. Never did understand that argument. But all over the rest of the country worship was changing. New music was being used, appreciated and was offering new spiritual connections for many worshippers. By the time we arrived in Tampa in 2001, contemporary worships services were all the rage. Praise bands, praise choirs, microphone singers and current music dominated the landscape. And I loved it. No longer was I a lone voice in the wilderness crying out for songs that were not over 100 years old. Progress had come to some mainstream churches.

All of which brings me back to my frustration with music in worship at the church we attend now. There is no longer a need to cajole and campaign for more up-to-date tunes. You see here's the thing about irony...it's so ironic! For the last several months it has jumped off the big screens at me that we are singing almost no songs written before 2012. Don't get me wrong, some of these new songs are great. My frustrations lies in the fact that we are throwing out centuries of important church music, including some great contemporary stuff from all the way back in (GASP!) the 1990s. And it's not just that. When new songs are introduced every week, the congregation never really learns to be comfortable singing any of them. It becomes more performance than worship. It's left me feeling that limiting our worship music to songs composed after 2012 is no better than the days when were were only singing songs from the 1800s. Either way we are missing out on songs that God has given composers to share with the world and the church.

I know that I am asking for everything. I love contemporary music, but I want to sing hymns as well. People might say that I want to have my cake and eat it too. Those people are probably right. But here's the thing. As Jon Lovitz once said in a Lothar of the Hill People sketch on SNL, "That analogy vexes me. If I had cake, why would I not eat it?"  I DO want it all, because there is so much music, new and old, that sings God's praises- and I don't wanna' miss a thing! I'll get over this new frustration, just as I always got past the old ones, because in the end worship is all about Jesus- not about my musical tastes. But still I have to admit that every now and then I think about how I would lead worship (and not just music) if I were in charge. That's a rant for another day...

Because of Jesus,

Only One More Sleep 'til Christmas

Me, Andrew & a photobomber!

Andrew Lewis was Organist and Interim Youth Minister when I was hired at First UMC-Kissimmee in 1994. He eventually became the Minister of Music and Worship there, and also became one of my best friends. Andrew had many gifts; a beautiful voice, a loving spirit and servant's heart. In all my years around churches he was the best worship designer I have ever been around, although in such a traditional church he got to use those skills on a very limited basis. One particular Advent season Andrew, Pastor John Willis and the rest of the worship team outdid ourselves. We took the One More Sleep 'Til Christmas theme from the movie The Muppet Christmas Carol and started our "sleep" countdown a month before Christmas Eve. Pastor John, his famous infamous puppet Hollywood (who has his own post here on this blog!) and I would weave the impending arrival of Santa Claus into the Children' Moment each week along with the excitement over the coming of the Christ child. By our Christmas Eve "family services" we had built to a fever pitch. Those kids and their parents had gotten the message- it was the night before JESUS! That night Andrew sang the Muppet song and had me sing the Rich Mullins classic You Gotta' Get Up (see the video at the bottom). Children performed a nativity play. Hollywood, John and myself then closed the series by reminding everyone that the coming of Jesus was an even more exciting event than the coming of Santa- although Santa rocks! It was an awesome service. Then everyone went outside to witness a Living Nativity performed by our youth. God even spoke to us through and angel on a ladder that night...

Every year Marilyn, Will and I attend a Christmas Eve Candlelight Service. Every year I am moved by the music, the lifting of candles as we sing Silent Night, and the Christmas story itself. And every year I think of Andrew, John, and Hollywood and all the time, effort and creativity that went into making that night in the late '90's one that will stay with me forever!

I hope that for each of you, tonight will be a Holy night.My family will attend the 6 PM service at Van Dyke, return home for real Carolina hot dogs and a viewing of Scrooged. Tradition will be broken, as we normally watch The Muppet Christmas Carol, but this year we are saving it until tomorrow so Michelle, who has never seen it, can watch with us. But Scrooged works nicely as a replacement, and so that is Christmas Eve at the Jones' house. Whatever your traditions may be, please don't forget the original Christmas tradition-  O Holy Night, the stars are brightly shining; It is the night of our dear Saviors' birth...  Merry Christmas to all.  Today it is finally true again-there's only one more sleep 'til Christmas!  And that means that tomorrow you gotta' get up- it's Christmas morning. Hugs and blessings to you all!

My Deliverer is Coming,

Understanding Worship

I came to an uncomfortable conclusion very early this morning when my dog woke me up. My dog worships me. Just look at the evidence. When I am sitting at the computer he lies my my feet, making sure I don't go anywhere without him knowing. He follows me everywhere I go. I go the kitchen and he is on my heels. I go to the bathroom and he comes in looking for me. I grab his leash and he heads for the door, ready to follow wherever I will lead him. The neighbors have told me that when I am gone they hear him howling in distress, uncertain what to do without me.  Sometimes when I leave he pouts the entire time I am gone, howling and laying on the bed starring out the window, waiting for my return. I just have to face the facts. Conner the Dog worships me, unworthy as I am. 

And the more I thought about it, the more I realized what a great example of true worship it is! I want to feel that way about Jesus every single day. I want to long to know where he will take me next. I want to follow him everywhere he wants to lead me. I want to feel the need to be in his presence so strongly that when I feel like I have wandered away (because if we feel separated from God, it is us who moved) I howl with grief, hoping he will hear my cries and come rescue me yet again. I want to be constantly vigilant, following him in the here and now and waiting for the glory of his return. This is what true worship is- giving ourselves completely to the One we worship. I want to be like that.  Jesus invites us all, with all of our faults and failures and blemishes, to come follow him. It is a come just as we are invitation, but it comes with a price- that we take up our cross and follow him no matter what. I realize now that Conner is not only a faithful dog, he is a walking object lesson. I want to need Jesus so bad that is hurts. LORD, I want to howl for you. That is my prayer today. And as long as I'm praying, I wouldn't mind if Conner wanted to sleep all night tonight. It's the little things...

Because of Jesus,

One of These Things Is Not Like the Other

This coming Sunday (November 9th) churches all over this country will take time during their worship services to honor those who have served our nation in the armed services. Veteran's Day has become a major event in many churches as they use patriotic music and lots of flags to bring feelings of national pride to the Sunday service. I am all in favor of recognizing those who serve our nation with a special day, parades and heartfelt gratitude. I am not, however, a big fan of doing it in church. As Rachel Held Evans tweeted this past weekend, "when an American flag has replaced the cross at the center of a church, I'm not expecting much Kingdom." We gather in church to pledge our allegiance to Jesus, not the flag. So I struggle with services on the Sunday before patriotic holidays, often choosing to skip those weeks and worship on my own, because if I hear I'm Proud To Be An American in church one more time I may forget I am a pacifist!

But every year the second Sunday in November makes me especially distraught. While so many local congregations recognize our national heroes they are completely ignoring the opportunity to recognize true heroes of our faith. This Sunday is once again the annual observance of the International Day of Prayer for the Persecuted Church. All over the world there are thousands of Christians who risk their lives to be faithful to the work of Jesus. Many are in prison for refusing to deny our Savior; others lose their lives. This Sunday is a day set aside to pray and to remember these saints and martyrs, and yet the day is so often ignored in the USAmerican church. The reasons why are unclear to me. Most weeks our churches seem happy to take any pre-arranged theme they can find and use it to guide worship planning. This is a very biblical concept, as Jesus himself preached that those persecuted in his name were "blessed." It may be as simple as the fact that far too many U.S. church-goers like to believe that they are among the persecuted. We fret that "those people" are trying to take the Christ out of Christmas, or keep us from praying, or mess with Duck Dynasty. My friends, none of those things make us persecuted; they make us WHINERS! When we pay attention to what real persecution is, we can't help but be ashamed of our trivial complaints. Maybe that is why we often ignore this important day. We simply can't conceive of this type of persecution in our midst:
On 31 August, while the pastor of the New Blessing Church in Batticaloa, Sri Lanka, his family and 1 other Christian were walking home following a visit to a Christian neighbor, a group of 8 masked men accosted the Christians and assaulted them with wooden poles studded with nails and iron rods. The pastor, who received a blow to his hip with a wooden pole, was injured in the incident. The pastor’s wife, their 12 year-old daughter, 15-year-old son and the other Christian were also brutally beaten up by the mob.

Visit the IDOP website to read more and experience what it means to be a Christian in places where following Jesus is illegal. Then ask your pastor, your elders, your deacons, your church council or whatever the powers that be are called in your local congregation why the IDOP is not a MUCH bigger deal in your church. Are we or are we not a part of the worldwide body of Christ? If we are, then this day of prayer should be mandatory for us all!

Veterans deserve our recognition because they serve and sacrifice in the name of our country. Persecuted Christians deserve our prayers because they serve and sacrifice in the name of Jesus. The question in my mind is simply this: Which of these most belongs in a worship service? One of these things is not like the other...

Because of Jesus,

Waiting Expectantly

The Presence in the Midst
FYI- very few Quakers still dress this way :)

This morning at 9:30 Marilyn, our friend Lisa and I (Will is sick ) plan to worship at our home church along with nearly 1000 others. There will be loud music from a killer band, exciting use of giant video screens and a video wall, and a sermon that comes with the usual promise from our pastor of "the most important one I've ever given." And it will be excellent- they most always are. There will be excitement, energy and plenty of noise as we worship God together. I look forward to being there.

Last Sunday morning I was in NC where a group of us visited a small Quaker Meeting pastored by an old friend. Even with the 5 of us there were less than 40 in attendance. There was no praise team, just a choir and a piano. There were no video screens or any other technology besides one microphone. There was no hoopla, no hyperbole and no frills whatsoever. At the appointed hour, worship began. And it began in silence. I was so excited.

Silence is as scary thing in the modern church and in modern culture. Long "pauses" without noise make people uncomfortable. I remember once at the UMC I served in Kissimmee, FL an Associate Pastor going on and on about how we were going to have brief period of absolute silence to quiet our hearts and clear our minds. He repeated this over and over as he instructed us until finishing with these words: "And now, as the organ plays, we will pause for a moment of complete silence." We just don't do silence very well anymore. In worship last Sunday, there were periods of silence in between each of the elements of the service. I laughed to myself thinking that in most churches today people would have been sitting in their pews wondering, "Who messed up? What should be happening now?" There are fewer and fewer Quakers who have an appreciation for silence. Where silence is still a part of worship, it is often tolerated rather than embraced. People no longer understand the power of the quiet moment. But there is great power if you truly grasp the WHY of silence in worship.

Silence in worship is not about being quiet, it's about expectantly waiting. We allow the presence of God to fill the room in a very real way when we wait on it. We allow the Holy Spirit space to move in us when we center our hearts and minds on the things of God rather than the troubles of the day. We take the time to allow the scriptures, the message, the music and the Holy Spirit within us to speak into our hearts- and sometimes give us a message to share. A vibrant Friends Meeting that uses periods of silence in worship rarely has "silent worship." Last Sunday was no exception. People wait expectantly, and often numerous members of the congregation will rise and speak messages of faith, hope and love. So many times in the days of my youth those messages were much deeper and much more important than anything the pastor had to say. And I can tell you first hand of finding myself on my feet and speaking during periods of open worship with no real memory of standing up. When the Spirit says move, you move. And then you settle back into waiting. Because God always more for us if we take the time to wait on it.

I love worshipping at my church. The music, the technology and the high levels of excitement often move me and let us all express our praises to God and our love for Jesus. But we miss so much when we are afraid of silence. There is an intimacy in those moments that cannot be replicated by any other element in worship. I have my silent times by myself during the week and they are wonderful. But in my experience there is very little that equals the power of the gathered body of Christ waiting expectantly to feel the presence in our midst. It is my prayer today that the modern church would rediscover the power of silence in worship. Even if we have to do it "as the guitar plays..." Be still and know.

Because of Jesus,

The (Sun)Day the Music Died

Over the past month or so I have read several blog posts and articles that focused on the theme of singing in church worship services. At least two of them shared the same title- Why Does No One Sing in Church Anymore? I thought the authors made some interesting points, but that they were a little over-the-top with their hyperbole. Still, they left me curious. I grew up loving a song entitled How Can I Keep From Singing? Could it be true that participatory singing in worship is at an all time low? I decided to explore the question in my own church.

The church I attend, like so many others in USAmerica in 2014, features a praise band to lead the music in worship. Our band is made up pf very talented (and in some cases professional) musicians, and the music is simply brilliant. On July 13, the band was at the top of its game. Drums, percussion, two guitars, a bass. two keyboards and four vocalists on microphones blasted their way through a four song set of the latest worship songs. Normally, I am a singer. I am loud and proud, belting out songs and keeping in mind David Crowder's theory that singing praise to the LORD is not about singing well, it is about singing loud! But on this Sunday, I decided to become a spectator. I wanted to see if the congregation- about 1000 strong- was actually singing along with the band. It didn't take me long to determine that they were not. I could look around and see hands raised but lips were not moving. I could not hear anyone around me (besides the gorgeous voice of my wife) raising their voices in praise. At one point our worship leader and the vocalists on stage dropped out so your could hear the congregation in full voice- and there were crickets. The crowd was clapping, moving and responding in very enthusiastic ways- but they were NOT singing. As someone who spent a lot of years leading group singing at camp, youth group and in worship, I was fascinated by this phenomenon. I wanted to decipher the reasons no one was singing. These reasons may or may not apply to your church. But if you have a praise band and do really contemporary music, I suggest you try my experiment. Based on the articles I read, it seems to be a growing problem, not just one in my church. Here are 3 thoughts I had...

1. The congregation is no longer necessary. When I was growing up in church, singing primarily to organ or piano accompaniment, the entire dynamic of hymn singing was very different. The music was not as loud, so you could hear the people sing. There were no "golden voiced" mic singers leading the way, just an unamplified choir, perhaps a choir director, and a preacher who sometimes couldn't carry a tune in a bucket. The only singers were the congregation. You heard the people around you singing praise and you wanted to join in. This was especially true if you sat in front of the elderly woman who loved God with all her heart and sang at the top of her lungs each and every song- horribly out of tune! You wanted to sing loud. And the mosaic of voices from the gathered body of Christ was always a blessing to me. In one of the last youth groups I served I grew so unhappy with the lack of singing in our worship times that I ditched the praise band and went back to a single guitar and just the voices. The difference was amazing. I love contemporary worship in so many ways, but now we are too often drowning out the masses to the point that their voices no longer matter. I do miss hearing God's family sing together.
2. The songs are often unsingable. There are so many beautiful songs of praise being written these days by some very gifted composers and publishing companies. The music soars and the lyrics move me. But there is a problem. For the past 10 years or so, worship music and the Christian recording and radio businesses have been inseparable. Many of the current worship songs are absolutely gorgeous- and never meant to be sung by a large group. The melodies are unpredictable, which is wonderful for radio and terrible for group singing. The lyrics are deep and thought-provoking, but the phrasing is often difficult. It is easy to find ourselves lost listening to the professionals sings while we simply lift out hands in praise and think to our selves "what a beautiful song." This happened during my experiment. Our worship team did an amazing song that absolutely no one sang along with because it was NEVER meant to be sung with the congregation. It was meant to be sung TO a crowd. And that's what wound up happening. It was also a song that no one knew. Which brings us to point number 3...
3. We have come to believe that in church music, new is always better. This one may be more specific to my church, but I am sure if your music is contemporary you either have or will struggled with this one too. One reason no one sings anymore is that we never know the songs! It seems the worship leader (every contemporary church has their very own Chris Tomlin these days) introduces about two new songs every week. We sing them 2 or 3 times over the following month or so, and then it's on to something else. By the time you learn a song it's labeled a golden oldie and filed away. The Sunday of my experiment we sang 4 songs and 2 of them were brand new. One I had heard once, the other perhaps twice. Please understand- I loved the songs. But people rarely sing along with unfamiliar words and tunes. When the team does on some rare occasion break out some familiar hymns of praise, the difference in the congregation's volume is amazing. People SING Amazing Grace, When I Survey the Wondrous Cross, God of Wonders and Shout to the LORD. And I mean SING!!! There are not many songs being sung in my church today that people will be walking around the house singing because they learned it in church- we just don't sing them often enough. When I led music I wanted the songs to become part of the fabric of our group. We don't give songs that opportunity very often anymore. Too many worship leaders are buying into the myth that new is always better. No one goes to a rock concert and shouts, "Play that song we don't know!" It's something to think about.

I have a few other thoughts, but I'll stop there. This is not meant to be a condemnation of contemporary music or worship. I just want us to think about what we are doing to congregational singing, which from the time of the Psalms has been a crucial part of worship. For years the church sang songs that were hundreds of years old. Now we seem to have discarded most everything written before 2000. My own personal tastes are wide and varied. I love the contemporary sound. I love how gifted our praise team is and how much that style of music can move us. I know I could go to a different church with a more traditional feel and sing the old hymns, but then I would miss the celebratory feel of the more contemporary style. I guess I want it all! Somehow we need to find a way to strike a balance and rediscover the voice of the gathered family of God in worship. Otherwise, in years to come the famous question from Les Miserables will already have an answer. "Do you hear the people sing?"  No- I can't. 

Because of Jesus,

The First Song I Sing

I woke up this morning with a song running through my head. It was a an old Sonny Salsbury tune (from Yo Anderson's great Songs & Creations song book) we used to sing at youth group and at National Youth Worker's Convention years ago, back when a praise band was a guitar and praise choruses were simple and singable. And as the chorus progresses, each "Praise the LORD" gets higher and higher, so it is a great early morning "warm up" song as well. It seemed an appropriate thing to share today as we celebrate the Sabbath. As you will see, you are encouraged to sing along!  Have a blessed day, my friends.

The First Song I Sing

Let the first song I sing today be praise to You

Let the memory linger all day long

Let a smile and a kind deed show my praise to You

and encourage someone else to sing along

Singing praise the LORD,

Singing praise the LORD,

Singing praise the LORD,

Singing praise the LORD,

PRAISE THE LORD!

Because of Jesus.

Psalm 98

Today I share with you my favorite Psalm (although Psalms 23, 51, 100 & 119 are way up there as well). Looking for words to describe what worship should look like, feel like and sound like? Look no further. The Psalmist has already done it for you. Wherever you may be, pause for a minute and shout praise to the LORD...


Psalm 98 (The Message)
Sing to God a brand-new song. He's made a world of wonders!
   He rolled up his sleeves,
   He set things right.

 ² God made history with salvation,
   He showed the world what he could do.

 ³ He remembered to love us, a bonus
   To his dear family, Israel—indefatigable love.
   The whole earth comes to attention.
   Look—God's work of salvation!

 ⁴ Shout your praises to God, everybody!
   Let loose and sing! Strike up the band!

 ⁵ Round up an orchestra to play for God,
   Add on a hundred-voice choir.

 ⁶ Feature trumpets and big trombones,
   Fill the air with praises to King God.

 ⁷ Let the sea and its fish give a round of applause,
   With everything living on earth joining in.

 ⁸ Let ocean breakers call out, "Encore!"
   And mountains harmonize the finale—

 ⁹ A tribute to God when he comes,
   When he comes to set the earth right.
   He'll straighten out the whole world,
   He'll put the world right, and everyone in it.


God is in control, and we need to praise His Holy Name. So strike up the band!  Amen & Amen.


Because of Jesus,

Low Sunday

The Sunday after Easter (and the one after Christmas) is known in church circles as Low Sunday. Not a year goes by that this day doesn't remind of this story...

The spring of 2001 found me serving the Union Church of Hinsdale in the western suburbs of Chicago. A large, very traditional church, we had just celebrated Easter with great pomp and circumstance. A huge crowd had filled the building to overflow. Trumpets played, handbells rang out and choirs sang. It was quite a spectacle. The following Sunday one of our Associate Pastors, a young man named Mark Toole, was preaching. Mark was one of my favorite staff members I ever worked with, both as a pastor and as a person. He currently teaches world religions at High Point University in NC. I was sitting up in the pulpit area with Mark, as I was the scripture reader that day. Mark rose and looked at the crowd, which was sparse, certainly compared to the previous week. He addressed the congregation with the following thoughts (my paraphrase): Remember last Sunday? Remember how the choir processed in with the trumpets playing? Remember the amazing sound of a full choir and the great handbells? Remember how amazing you all sounded as we proclaimed that Christ the LORD is Risen Today? Remember how the crowd filled not only the sanctuary, but the overflow area as well? It was truly a wonderful day and the people of this community filled Union Church. So today I just have one more question. All of that captures the feel of what Mark said. His next question is a direct quote that I will never forget. He paused, starred into the crowd and asked loudly and firmly, "So where the hell are they?"  The congregation erupted in snickers and gasps and outright laughter (that would be me...). The point he went on to make, at least in my mind, was very basic. How can, each year and all over the world, so many people hear the message of the resurrection and then go back to living life as if it never happened? It's not about church attendance- in fact my family is missing church today- it's about PASSION! Why are we more concerned with beating the Baptists to the best lunch spots than forgiving our friend who hurt us? Why is it that so many people walk away from our churches each week saying "What a nice service" instead of proclaiming "Jesus is alive...and THAT IS AWESOME!" I wish I knew the answer, or even understood how such things can happen. Thanks Mark, for stepping out of the box for a moment that never fails to remind me that Jesus is to celebrated every day!  I mean really...how can you have a "Low Sunday" when you are walking with the Savior?

Because of Jesus,

How Marvelous, How Wonderful!

I am old enough that I have spent more of my life singing from hymnals than from video screens. I have been in many more church services with organ music than I have with praise bands. Needless to say, there are many of the great old hymns of the church that are near and dear to my heart. One of the ones I find myself humming most often begins with the words, "I stand amazed in the presence of Jesus the Nazarene. And wonder how He could love me, a sinner, condemned, unclean." In fact, as I sat down to my keyboard to start writing, I found myself humming it again. And I started to wonder- How often do we really grasp the amazing love that Jesus came to bring us? Do we really understand that it is only because of the grace given to us through the love of God whose name is Jesus that we do not remain "a sinner, condemned and unclean?" How often do we really stand in His presence it total awe of what He has done for us? For me, the answer is clearly "not often enough."

So today I ask you this question- when was a time that you stood "amazed in the presence?" Was there a time when you were overwhelmed with awe and wonder at the majesty of our loving God? Remember- and then share your experience in the comment section if you would like. Then join me and sing along today with the amazing chorus to this great hymn:

How marvelous! How wonderful!

And my song shall ever be

How marvelous! How Wonderful!

Is my Savior's love for me?

                                                          

Because of Jesus,

A Sunday Song of Praise

Read these words, inspired by Psalm 150 and written by the wonderfully gifted Matt Redman. Soak in them. Practice them. Let every nook, cranny and corner of your soul sing praise to LORD on this Sabbath. Praise God from whom ALL blessings flow!

Let Everything That Has Breath Praise the LORD

Let everything that, 
everything that 
Everything that 
has breath praise the Lord

Let everything that, 
everything that 
Everything that 
has breath praise the Lord

Praise You in the morning 
Praise You in the evening 
Praise You when I'm young 
and when I'm old

Praise You when I'm laughing 
Praise You when I'm grieving 
Praise You every 
season of the soul

If we could see 
how much You're worth 
Your power, 
Your might, 
Your endless love 
Then surely we would 
never cease to praise

Praise You in the heavens 
Join with the angels 
Praising You forever and a day

Praise You on the earth now 
Join with creation 
Calling all the nations to Your praise

If they could see 
how much You're worth 
Your power, 
Your might, 
Your endless love 
Then surely they would 
never cease to praise

I will worship, 
I will worship 
I will worship 
You with every breath

Because of Jesus,

Magic Moments: A Worship WOW!

The 2004 Chicago Mission Team

Today's Throwback Thursday post takes us back in time to 2004 and a mission trip we took from Wesley Memorial UMC in Tampa to serve with the Center for Student Missions in Chicago. It was a great week full of hard work and special moments, and that particular group is one of my favorite mission teams I was ever blessed to be a part of. But today's Magic Moment comes from a specific memory of a very wondrous worship time we shared together.  Here's that story.

Each night of our of the trip we would gather in the common area of the  dorm we were sleeping in for some devotional time led by one of the students. I would bring along my guitar and we would sing a song or two just for the fellowship- it was much like an indoor vespers service.  We had no song sheets or means of projection; we had to sing songs we knew by heart.  By heart...that phrase would mean something completely different to me after our last night in the dorm...

We gathered that last night of our mission work and one of the students shared a devotional, and then I pulled out my guitar asked our little group if they had any requests.  They did.  We began to sing, and as we went through several of our favorite songs from youth group. I could feel the Holy Spirit making itself known in the room.  I decided to wrap up our time by singing three of our favorites-  Sometimes By Step ("O God you are my God..."), It Is You and Sanctuary - as a worship medley.  As we sang these very familiar songs the atmosphere in the room became thick with worship.  We were so connected to each other and to God. The team was completely absorbed in the songs.  I was still playing, but had closed my eyes and was no longer leading music- I was merely a vessel.  As was our tradition, we sang Sanctuary through a final time acapella.  Those 13 voices sounded like a heavenly choir.  We were no longer simply singing words- we were making a promise to God.  "With thanksgiving I'll be a living sanctuary for You."  The singing stopped and there was total silence.  I opened my eyes only to discover that I was no longer facing the group.  I had been spun around and was facing the wall, completely lost in that moment of pure worship.  We all looked at each other and said in a collective voice, "Wow..."

In the days that would follow we would try to explain that moment to parents, friends and even the rest of the church staff, but soon realized it was a "You had to be there" magic moment.  We all knew we had experienced - no, been overwhelmed by- the presence of the living God that night in a very powerful way. I have one prized souvenir from that trip- a bright orange t-shirt I bought to work in. One day on a work site we were doing some painting, and Alexis Woods and Christine Gastler decided to paint on me. They painted names on the front of the shirt, and this messy "I love you" on the back.  Every time I think about this shirt, I am reminded of that trip and the way God blessed us. And how much I loved those kids...

I spent some amazing evenings sharing in worship with youth over the years, but this certainly ranks near the top when it comes to EVERYONE present sensing the Holy Spirit in the room. Come back next Thursday for the story of how some "warm fuzzies" helped create a night no one who was at Melbourne Beach that night will ever forget...

Because of Jesus,

Here I Am To Worship

I have written here before (see Missing Silence) of the wide variety of elements I enjoy in a worship service.  Drama, video, music, creative preaching and teaching are elements I have come to enjoy in modern worship.  I am fully aware that my tastes cut across a variety of differing styles, which makes in highly unlikely that I will ever discover a church that "worships" the way I wish they would.  And that's life.

Like many of you I have seen churches struggle over the years with styles of worship.  They want to keep their older members happy, so they continue to have organ music and sing hymns from hymnals.  Three hymns, an offering and a sermon (with perhaps an altar call) all scheduled out neatly in the church bulletin.  For many people my age (53 for a few more days) and older, this is what they expect from a church service.  But church leadership is always looking for ways to attract young families, and for nearly 20 years now they have seen changing worship styles as the way to do that.  Contemporary worship seeks to encourage a more youthful congregation through modern music (often with a band), more creative teaching styles and less liturgy and formality.  Some churches still offer both; separate services, separate worshiping bodies who barely know each other.  Some offer a "blended" service, seeking to appease both groups at the same time.  Churches have split over differences in worship styles.  "Worship" has even become its own genre of music.  In some places, the words worship and music have become interchangeable.  They are not.  Music is an act of worship.  Worship is so much more.  My friends, some of us have lost sight of what worship is.  It's not anything we perform, or schedule.  Worship does not have a style.  So what is worship?  

"Worship is a hunger of the human soul for God.  When it really occurs, it is as compelling as the hunger for food.  It is as spontaneous as the love of a girl or boy.  If we feel it, no one needs to tell us we should worship.  No one has to try to make us do it.  If we do not feel it, or have no desire to feel it, no amount of urging or forcing will do any good.  We simply cannot be forced from the outside to worship.  Only the Spirit within us, the Light within, can move us to it.  - N. Jean Toomer             

You see, worship is much more about what you bring to God than it is about what your church brings to the service.  If your heart is hungry for God, then it won't matter the instruments that are played or the songs that are sung.  You will find the beauty in Amazing Grace, O For A Thousand Tongues, Our God Saves or Shout To the LORD.  You will find wisdom in the Word of God, whether read directly from scripture, delivered by a speaker or experienced in a drama or video.  And you will find joy in the presence of God with the family of God as you you all seek Him together.  But you need none of those things. We need prayer.  We need to listen to God- and God often does speak through those elements.  But I can tell you from personal experience that if you are truly seeking God, an hour of silence can be some of the best worship you will ever experience.  When worship becomes about style or elements, then it has become all about us.  All that is required is an open heart and the presence of God.  And God will always be wherever you are. It turns out the song we need to keep in out hearts is the one that says "Here I am to worship, here I am to bow down, here I am to say that you are God...

So if we don't get anything out of worship this coming weekend, perhaps it's time to quit pointing fingers at the worship team and start looking in our own souls.  And if you do, then praise God that the Holy Spirit is speaking to your hungry heart.  I pray you all have a blessed week.

Because of Jesus,

Acoustic Worship

This morning I woke up humming Lord I Lift Your Name On High.  It reminded me how much I miss leading music in worship, and how much I miss acoustic worship and the spontaneity that comes with it.  Which led me to update  this vintage post...

I attend a church that has an incredible praise band.  We have a song leader who could easily be a recording artist. background singers who could be members of Point of Grace, and three or four staff members who are amazing musicians as well. Every single Sunday the band rocks the house with some amazing music.  And you know what?  I'm a little tired of it.

I miss the intimacy of acoustic worship.  Some of you may remember the days when contemporary worship music was led by one guy/gal with an acoustic guitar. This particular style (in my opinion) puts the emphasis on the singing of the gathered crowd rather than on the praise team.  An acoustic guitar and a solo voice cannot (and should not!) drown out the voices of the congregation.  As someone who led many such songs over many years, I can tell you that there is nothing quite like standing in front of a people gathered to worship and hearing them sing their hearts out.  You can feel their passion for Jesus.  You can hear their hearts cry out.  

I love rockin' out in church.  But I do miss singing the classic praise choruses and older songs that simply don't go well with electric guitars and drums.  I miss singing songs like Majesty, Thy Word, Sing Alleluia To the LORD, Seek Ye First and Sanctuary with the strum of a single guitar.  I loved doing things like singing Amazing Grace to the tune of the Eagles' Peaceful Easy Feeling or being Spirit-led to lead a song that no one else knew was coming.  And in the deepest depths of my old heart, I even occasionally miss singing classic hymns (Joyful, Joyful We Adore Thee, It Is Well With My Soul) with the piano and organ.  Most of us listen to a wide variety of music in our lives.  Praising God through music should take many forms as well...

So what about you?  What are your favorite songs to sing in worship?  What style do you prefer?  I'd love to hear from you.  The acoustic guitar pictured above is mine.  It's all tuned up and ready to go.  Let's sing praise to the LORD!!!

Because of Jesus,