I’ve always had a hard spot for mediocrity in church music. For those of you who’ve grown up in churches like I have, you know what it’s like to have the wife of a deacon perform a “special music” piece that contained enough squealing and off-pitch notes to curdle fresh milk. Why did they let her sing? Because she “has a heart for the Lord” and “wants to make a joyful noise”, they say. Well, that’s part of the equation of worshipful music, but that’s not all of it. I don’t doubt the deacon’s wife’s heart, but I think that consideration needs to be given to some level of skill before someone is placed in front of a church leading them in musical worship.
I regularly read Worship Leader Magazine (WLM) and have always been a bit disappointed at the lack of articles on the importance of skill in worship music (an aspect that my worship hero Paul Baloche emphasizes in every one of his instructional videos). Not only importance… but if you read your Bible right - necessity.
I always thought WLM “intentionally” skimped on the “skill” thing merely because it was intuitively obvious… because it was considered a given in any serious worship circles. But recently, they did indeed include an article on skill in worship - amply titled “Play Skillfully” - which just might have revealed an alternate motive for their sparse coverage of skill in music… political correctness. You see, the author Mark Roberts openly admits in the article that pointing out the Bible’s call to skillful performance of worship may upset a lot of people. What? Why? It shouldn’t. Really, it shouldn’t.
When you are putting someone in a position (like in front of a church leading them in the worship of an all-powerful deity) you really should be using appropriate people. For leading worship music - appropriate people probably are those who have three things: some threshold of talent, the right attitude about the responsibility of leading others in worship, and spiritually a right heart. [for the non-churchy folk I apologize for not explaining the "right heart" thing here]
However, common sense applies always. Common sense tells us that kids in a church Christmas program (short of Joseph fist-fighting with the wise men) are afforded much leeway and may not have any of the three things listed above, and that’s okay. Common sense tells us that smaller churches need to play the cards they’re dealt, even if it’s just Queen high. And I’m sure everyone can think of real-life, sincere, and appropriate exemptions to my skill manifesto. But I do know that even the most modestly-skilled musicians and singers can work on their craft to pursue excellence. Indeed, the pursuit of excellence is sometimes more telling to me about worship music ministry than the act of already being excellent.
Anyways, to show my support of pro-skill articles I wrote a letter to the WLM editor voicing my approval, and as “always” my letter was delicate in a chiropractic sort of way.
Thank you for Dr. Mark Roberts’ article titled “Play Skillfully”. I found it quite refreshing to have some emphasis placed on this vital, yet seemingly ignored aspect of an excellent worship ministry. I’ve long felt that even enlightened worship resources like Worship Leader Magazine softball this issue too often.
Today’s churches, despite the modern infusion of quality worship music, seemingly regard “a servant’s heart” and “a humble walk” as the only true prerequisites for music ministry. This is simply wrong, un-Biblical, and could even be sinful if practiced negligently (whether intentionally or not). For the same reason that musical ability alone - without a desire for a Christ-likeness - would be insufficient for ministry, a lack of pursuit of musical excellence in a team member or worship leader, and an apathetic stance by church leadership, is a dereliction of our duty to worship the Lord as if he REALLY IS the creator of all things.
Now of course we have to use some common sense in application. Not all churches have the same selection of talent within their congregations - and in any team environment there are times when the “second-stringers” need to be put in the game to gain the skill and experience they need. But nothing changes the fact that pursuit of excellence in music ministry - or in any aspect of our worship - is part of the local church’s pursuit of Christ.
We wouldn’t settle for merely “a great prayer life” as qualification for a brain surgeon. We wouldn’t settle for just “a solid spiritual walk” as sufficient training for an electrician. So why compromise in our worship music ministry?
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I always enjoy your sledge hammer-like gentle touch. But the truth is a hot mop and it hurts when it hits you in the face. St. Bonaventure suffered from this for a long time. They had some woman who “led” all the hymns and my only guess is that she could read music so that made her qualified. Somehow, I never felt closer to God because of her caterwauling.
I agree with you on both pre-requisites, but I’m interested to know what our leadership would say. I’ve heard differing opinions on the second, which excludes, “musical ability alone–without a desire for Christ,” and I know that in other Christian circles I’ve heard it stated even that, “a job worth doing is worth doing poorly.” If it were the case that skill was not available, I might agree, but I don’t think this is so.
What really gets my goat, though, is when the skill is there, but the diligence is not. And you’re right: even my doctors who have all the training they need to do their jobs will make sure that they review sufficiently before a tough procedure. They want to give their patients the best. Why not give God our best?
Great question. Why do many churches think it’s fine to stage “talent” that, in any other setting would be laughed offstage inside of the first song? How does mediocrity bring glory to God? I echo your question about why music is treated differently than other occupations. I play music in the worship band at my church. I also play so-called “secular” music in coffeehouses, pubs and such. It’s not uncommon for me to get the hairy eyeball from folks when they find out I played a “secular” gig on Saturday night and then played in church on Sunday morning. Why aren’t other occupations treated similarly? I can’t imagine these same folks disapproving of the electrician because he fixed the wiring at the pub where I sing old James Taylor songs…
Sing your best, because thats all you can do. Not even God will ask you for more than you best, becuase that would be unreasonable, and the Good Lord is not unreasonable.
on another note, I disdain “Black Baptist” type music, like in the Blues Brothers. They have a right to worship as they see fit, but I can’t stand it
@ John :: Perhaps St. Bonaventure’s strategy was to induce such cacophonic discord in people’s heads that they WANTED to be closer to God.
@ Rachel :: Yeah, it’s a funny thing. And some of the same people that dismiss either skill or diligence in favor of “if it’s worth doing it’s worth doing poorly” may also be part of the crowd that disdains non-”business casual” attire in church - saying that we should “wear our best” for Christ. This is intensely humorous since “our best” would be (for guys) tuxes - not khakis and a blazer - so the very thing they profess to pursue excellence in is a miserably mediocre effort.
@ capo :: Oh boy!
I can just imagine the looks you may have gotten from people who found out you were in a pub the night before. You probably would have gotten a milder response if you had said you have Ebola.
@ john3sobieski :: Yes, everyone participating in worship - whether singing, playing, being a doctor, being an electrician, or whatever - should do their best. That also includes church leaders who make choices about who will lead others in “worship”, and the head of surgery who makes decisions about which doctors will conduct which operations.
I feel your pain regarding certain styles of worship. I - personally - can’t really worship to old-style hymns… mostly because of the goofy 1700s music and organ/piano arrangements. However, take those same hymns (with their rich lyrical content) and rearrange with a band… now you’re talkin’.
I wanted to comment since I’ve been on both sides of the issue at hand… I know how painful it is to sit through uninspired, in love with their own voice worship music, but I also know how hard it can be to sing in front of 200+ people. But the thing I find important is that I find myself humming some of my favorite songs (yes, even some of those 1700s organ arrangements you detest) throughout the week. If music ministry keeps your mind on God and praising Him, hasn’t it served its purpose, no matter how humble or skilled the minister?
Great post, and right on the mark. I especially appreciated the balance in your open letter. It is that whole, “whatever you do, do to the glory of God” which should inspire in us a desire for excellence in all areas.
It seems to me, in my far removed (geographical-speaking) observation, that the musical quality of public worship in America is much better than it was a generation ago, with noticeably less screeching. But maybe I am wrong.
@ Heather :: You bring up an earnest point, and I very much agree that singing in front of others is scary. I had to learn early in my music journey (picture a little boy on a trumpet in front of an elementary school auditorium filled with 500 people) that it’s stressful to be up front, and my anal-perfecto-fascism makes me so angry when I screw up (at times, royally) in my duty of playing excellently.
Ah, your question is a great one - “If music ministry keeps your mind on God and praising Him, hasn’t it served its purpose, no matter how humble or skilled the minister?” I would say yes AND no. Yes, IF the worship music ministry allows focus on God and facilitates praise to Him, then modestly skilled or not, it has (most likely) served its purpose… very good. But often times when skills are TOO modest it is very distracting (mistakes, off-pitch notes, band not playing together, music is bland) and it usually inhibits people’s minds being anywhere but the clock, and thus has not served its purpose.
I’m glad you like humming those 1700s songs throughout the week. I find myself humming them, too… but I DON’T like it!
I get one of those things stuck in my head from my years of hymnal worship and I cannot get it out. I’ll start singing it out loud at my wife (who grew up on the same stuff) and although neither of us have may have sung it in 10 years we’ll be able to sing multiple verses together in 2-part harmony. Then we’ll sorta laugh about it. My brain has been permanently tattooed with 1700s organ music… indeed I am cursed among men. 
@ Mike :: Exactly - “Whatever you do, do it for the glory of God.” That is the pithy and ultimate conclusion.
And you are right, the worship in the West has grown immensely, especially over the last 15 years. My letter to the editor probably brandished intensity more commensurate with the ratio of importance of skill over emphasis on skill, than to the ratio of expected skill over demonstrated skill.
I might add, too, that when I was in your neighborhood I saw a heavy pursuit of excellence. The musicians were some of the fastest learners I’ve ever seen and had a sincere desire for excellence clearly radiating from them. It was humbling.
I’ve done some thinking on the matter and have come up with a conclusion of my own. The philosophy of “anything worth doing is worth doing poorly” is inherently illogical. If we all lived by it, homes would be drafty in the winter, air conditioning would conk out in the summer, and the water from the shower head would only be a trickle. The end result: A perpetually miserable existence. In the religious context, well, if your not doing your best for God who deserves your best above all others, it might well be considered a kind of blasphemy in trying to do better for others than for God.
wow, great post. i have been singing since i was 5, starting with voice lessons and then singing with both large and small professional choirs. through high school i was part of a rather successful jazz band. having learned a couple of instruments along the way to complement my voice, i have been a part of a few worship teams at a few VERY different churches.
there are without question, worship leaders out there who lead the way with more than just mediocrity, we all know at least one. having worked with both the completely unqualified and then the insanely over-qualified musical genius, i will say that we must bring our best to the Lord. i know there are instances when there may not be choices as you suggested above, but the point you made following was right on the mark, which was that a poor performance by a worship singer(s) or worship band actually detracts from why the congregation is there in the first place, which is to seek God privately and corporately.
and in that seeking we need to remember how important the musical side is for some people.
the fact is that music in worship services is how some goers connect in the first place. if there is no passion and right hearts among the musicians, trust me when i say it comes across to the congregation.
i stand up there most sundays as i have for many years and the first thing i bring to God is a heart of worship and a simple request, that He would find me worthy of singing His praises. that’s where it starts, then i practice twice a week and again prior to service so that the praises I sing are worthy to hear by the congregation. i wish everyone took it at least this seriously but i know there are times when it is just not possible, so it goes.
Enjoyed reading your rant and the postings. I was recently practicing hymns from a very old hymnbook, and decided that 17th century hymns were not written to be played on an organ. However, you have to agree that there is no more moving hymn than Amazing Grace (John Newton — 1725-1807), and no new tune can match the resonating quality so movingly performed on the bagpipes at a funeral. Old does not mean worthless and out of date. Which would you rather own — a painting by Rembrandt or one painted last week by John Smith? What you consider new, will one day be considered belonging to the Dark Ages, my dear, and you the old fogey. Personally, I think the Biblical and doctrinal content of the words are most important in selection of worship music. Recently, a young lady led a “praise chorus” that consisted of the words, “I want to dance, dance, dance, I want to dance, dance, dance, as David danced before the Lord, I want to dance, I want to dance, I want to dance, dance, dance.” This was repeated about 37 times — but with a highly trained voice and skillfully performed. Skill — about an 8; worship value — 0. Love reading your rants.
I just want to toss in my support for Mom’s remarks about “Amazing Grace” in general, and particular with bagpipes. Gives me chills just thinking about it.
@ John3Sobieski :: Mediocrity akin to blasphemy? I like the sound of that.. and I don’t disagree.
@ drewr :: Yeah, you make some really great points. I’ve been in a variety of scenarios myself… but for me, I think I see the most when I’m in the congregation and can sit back and pay attention to it all (in a discerning way). “…we need to remember how important the musical side is for some people.” - Amen to that!
@ Mom :: It is true that Amazing Grace on the bagpipes resonates well. I was at the Scottish games in Albany a few months ago and the pipe bands were incredible. I think the pipes are a moving instrument no matter what they play. Although for Amazing Grace, I personally am partial to Todd Agnew’s re-arrangement titled “Grace Like Rain”… we do that one all the time. We do a lot of the old hymns with current music arrangements (hymns with lyrics of unchanging objective theological truths, arranged with music that’s current to my generation and culture). I tried to Google that “I want to dance dance dance” song, but couldn’t find it.
@ John :: My only requirement I’ve given Tami for my funeral (whenever that may be) is to have bagpipes there. They should probably play Amazing Grace… and then maybe a few outlawed tunes.
I don’t mean mediocrity in and of itself. Some people are born with worthless voice boxes, myself included. I can’t sing, and I don’t try to in front of the congregation. What I meant was blasphemous is being intentionally mediocre when you’re doing something for the Lord.
I heard something bizzare on one of the Music channels on direct TV. This particular channel has all the wierd and out ther Christmas music. Well, I heard Twisted Sister singing O Come All Ye Faithfull to the tune of We’re Not Gonna Take It. It hurt my ears, considering that I like classic Christmas music over rockin Christmas music.
We should always give our best in worship always God deserves that
worship music is sometimes so irritating because of their imitation to lousy alternative styles. The drummer plays those cymbals that sounds like a railway crossing, or it’s a cymbal solo throughout the whole song. Have mercy on the soundman who has to do the monitor mix. The fills happens every second bar and they also play everything they know in drumming in one verse. They sound like the 100th clone of the first band with that sound. why do guitarists have to strum so fast that if you replace the pic with a saw blade, they’d be through the guitar neck in two bars. They play accents all over the countryside and can’t find the ” 1 ” of the next bar. Or they sit on a C , D and G for the entire song, sorry for the entire worship service with the same insane strumming. That’s the crux of modern worship music. So it’s Alternative, alternative to what? Good?
Finally, someone who has clearly spoke wisdom about leading worship (being a “called” and annioted worshiper) and grounded such in biblical principle. Simply, you CANNOT lead someone some where you can not go or have never been.
Lord have mercy!!!
PS…is it any wonder the pop/rock secular world of music has much more of a following? They have more Charisma albiet Father’s gifts to them used to glorify self.
@William Rogers - Wow, thanks for your kind comments. Musical forms of worship are near and dear to me… and I’ve seen so many examples of both “great” and “terrible” practices, both in excellence and genuineness. A man by the name of Bill Womer probably taught me the most about genuine worship (and his son - my current Worship Arts Pastor - is picking up where he left off).
I too am a avid “follower” of Paul Baloche. Love his music and training videos. I have learned a great deal from him, especially what he calls the “anchor” notes.
Here’s my ordeal with musical excellence vs. right heart. I am coming from a standpoint of someone singing solos a lot in church so I know how important it is to practice, practice, practice. I know I should give my best in every performance, but here the very thing that is puzzling me. Somebody help me please understand this because this very thing is becoming an issue with our Choir/Worship Leader in our church. What if my best is not up to the Worship Leader’s standard of what is good enough for a solo on Sunday Morning? Should I be told that I cannot sing or play because it simply isn’t good enough? I have had this very thing happen to me in the past year where I wanted to play my guitar and sing a special on Sunday Morning. After playing it for my Worship Leader, he proceeded to tell me that it wasn’t good enough. It didn’t matter how tactful he was with his words or the way he said it, I was hurt because I so much wanted to sing it and share a song with the church that had touched me.
Needless to say, it made me want to get better, and now I am part of a band in my church. Great news, but still I wrestle with the question of whether or not I’m ever going to be good enough for a special or anything else based on the Worship Leader’s standard.
I’m not saying this to complain or grumble by any means but simply to get some feedback and/or advice as to what to do.
I personally believe that if anyone’s motive for singing a special on Sunday Morning is to worship and glorify God with his or her best, even though they may not be as talented as I or the next person, they should never be told that they can’t. If that was the case, I never would have been given the chance to sing a special in church, because I stunk the first time I sang when I was 15.
This has been an ongoing issue in our church for several members of our choir/worship team when it comes to who sings solos/specials in services.
I know that I should probably go to him with others and let him know how we feel about it because it isn’t healthy to let the sore fester like this.
Any advice or help would be much appreciated.