brent(inWorship)

A Challenge to Worship Pastors/Leaders

Today, Adam Young of Owl City released a beautiful, simple piano/vocal arrangement of “In Christ Alone”. You can read his post, hear his heart, and listen to the song here.

I want to make a challenge to Worship Pastors and Worship leaders…

Each week we step on a stage to lead groups of people to the throne of Jesus. Worshipping is far more than the songs we sing, but that is not the point of this post. I will however be talking directly to the songs we sing/play each week.

If you are like me, you spend hours listening to songs. Previewing new songs. Evaluating Older songs. We pick and choose based on style, dynamics, content, theme. We then put an order of songs together, that we believe will best engage with those we will lead.

We live in a constant balance of wanting to be “relevant” or modern, while still holding to the truth of God’s Story. Some songs are “let go” because they are overused, or have grown old. Maybe they dont fit our style anymore. And many times, songs are no longer a part of our routine, because they are no longer “cool”. In reverse, songs are sometimes chosen…because they are “popular”. Or, we choose songs, because the writers/performers are “popular”

I struggle with this. And this is my challenge. “Popular” is a perception. What is “in” today, may be out tomorrow. We cannot choose music based on the next fad. When this happens, we lose site of the Story. And, we no longer become leaders, but instead followers.

I love what Adam has done with “In Christ Alone”. In my opinion, It is hardly revolutionary and it doesnt change the styling of the song, but it is beautiful. My concern, is that, in the following weeks, we will see many of us choose to “revive” or begin using this song…because it is now, “popular”. It doesnt matter if this song is already a part of your song database or not. We cannot allow “popular” to determine whether or not, we lead this song again.

The lyrics of this song are amazing. The melody is beautiful. This song is as accessible to your congregation as you want to make it. Whether with choir and organ or with drums and guitars. This song works, because this song is about the story…not the “popularity”.

I challenge each of us in leadership, to not allow hype and trends to guide us. But, instead, let God’s story and our Worship of Him, always be the gauge by which we choose and lead.

“No power of hell, no scheme of man
Can ever pluck me from His hand
Till He returns or calls me home
Here in the power of Christ I’ll Stand”