Why do we even play music in church?

I have to admit that I am not the biggest fan of our current "Worship Music" within the church. Now - I am a huge fan of great Praise and Worship, just haven't found it a lot lately....

Here is what I mean...I was watching a youtube video of one of Canada's largest churches. They put up a video of their worship service. Here is what I saw...a huge stage - 2 singers standing in the front (not moving and they both had their eyes closed) - The band was at least 20 feet behind them, behind a wall of monitors - all of them had their heads buried in the music stand...and the words were on the screen...Musically it was pretty good, good singers, decent players - good sound - ZERO "leading"!

Being a leader in the area of Praise and Worship is not a "gig". This is not a place to play great music, this is not a place to entertain, it is not a place to try out our newest song that we wrote...It is the place to selflessly lead the congregation before you into the sacred place of worship. Preparing the congregation to receive from God's Word. Leading them to a place where they are ready to be ministered to by God!

In the example I mentioned earlier there was no interaction with the audience. The leaders had their eyes closed most of the time - this does not allow the leader to notice the crowd...make eye contact - find out where the audience is emotionally and spiritually. You cannot lead, if you do not notice, if the crowd is following you...

Does that make sense to you, or this a foreign concept? We need to get back to an understanding of why we take time to play music in church. We are to "lead" a congregation and prepare them to hear the Word. You cannot lead what you cannot see.

The Worship Leader needs to understand that their job is not to sing well and play cool music (although both are nice to have) Our job is to lead the congregation. We need to interact with them visually. We need to create an atmosphere that is welcoming...we need to perform, NOT entertain. Performance in this context is to simply communicate WELL!

If your Pastor looked at his notes, very rarely ever looked up, closed his eyes and really seemed internalized...would you listen or tune it out? When the speaker walks around, looks at you, looks around the congregation...he is looking to see your response - is this getting through to you? Are there people nodding their heads in agreement - etc...

We need to have the same approach to worship...this is your time to watch, gaze and interact - your personal time of worship is before you step on that stage!!

Be prepared, know your music and remember that you are not there to sing songs...you are there to lead and prepare your congregation!!

Take your job seriously...LOVE YOUR AUDIENCE!!!

for more on this and other topics...www.expressiveworship.com

Kevin Pauls