I am always compelled with people's opinions of Christianity who are outside of Christianity. You see, I became a follower of Jesus at a very young age and know nothing different. However, there are so many in our world that have no long standing history with the way things are in the church.
In my latest read 'Body Piercing Saved My Life: Inside the Phenomenon of Christian Rock', Andrew Beaujon records his experiences as a journalist investigating the phenomenon of Christian 'rock music' focusing on the history of Contemporary Christian Music and evaluating the Christian Music Industry. I have found much of his writing to be interesting but have also been challenged by his viewpoint of the industry (to which I have contributed a significant amount of money through the years). However, I think one of the most striking perspectives he has that has provided much consternation for me was his evaluation from an 'outsider's' perspective of a contemporary 'worship service'.
Beaujon, during his research process, had a chance to attend the GMA week in Nashville, TN and during the course of the week experienced a worship service not unlike the one I worship within each week.
His take on the actual music was not anything to write home about. He pretty much chalked every song up to being the exact same in time, progression and volume progression. I would have to agree... Inserting songs into Worship Media for the last 10 years of my life bears the truth: verse, chorus, verse, chorus, bridge, chorus, chorus... unless you are charismatic then the Spirit may lead you to another chorus or two or three, etc. There is some creativity when the song actually ends on an abbreviated version of the first verse...
His take on the content disturbed me, not because I think he was wrong but because I think he was right. 'Worship tunes tend to evince an adolescent theology, one that just can't get over how darn cool it is that Jesus sacrificed himself for the world... Moreover, it's self-centered in a way that reflects evangelicalism's near-obsession with having a personal relationship with Christ. It's me Jesus died for. I just gotta praise the Lord... Absent is any hint of community found in hymns such as 'The Church's One Foundation' - the Jesus of worship music is a mentor, buddy, a friend whose message is easily distilled to a simple command - praise me... this is music by the saved only, for the saved only, an art form where the images projected on the giant screens are more fruitful sources of meditation and reflection than the lyrics superimposed on them."
Now, my philosophy of worship music and worship in general is that it be a way that we communicate to God and those around us Who God Is and What God Has Done. Ultimatelt we are praising Him! However, if this is what people on the outside are getting when they walk throuh the doors and 'experience' worship my assessment is that the church may not be on the exact train track we need to be on! Jesus should be procalimed as way more than buddy or friend, but as Creator, Redeemer, Savior and King!
One last thought... Jesus told the Samaritan woman that true worshipers must worship in spirit and truth. Do you think the church may be at a place where we are worshiping more in spirit at the expense of truth? So, needless to say, Andrew has me thinking... what are we as a church communicating through our worship?
Your thoughts?
