Being in front and the problems it brings

One of the many dilemmas faced in churches is where to put the organ and where to put the choirs. Many churches have a balcony, and that's where the organ goes. I have played on a few organs where they are right up in front. I really hate that, because I just don't like people watching me while I play. My musical offerings are not about me being seen, but adding to the worship services. Some churches will have their adult choirs sing from the front of the congregation as well. I don't really feel comfortable with that either, because it comes back to a performance mentality as opposed to leading in worship. Handbell choirs are a sticky issue for me. They are visually as well as auditory enjoyable. So do they need to be in front? If you have the space. Children's choirs? A conversation I have had with a few older adults has been quite interesting. They feel it is quite OK for the children to be in front, because "they're cute" but for none of the adults to be in front because that's not right. Interesting perspective, but what is that teaching our children about worship? Can't children be a part of leading the worship service without "being cute"? Or do they always have to be doing fun Bible songs that come across to me more as a performance?

Another hot button issue in congregations is having the praise team in front. Personally, I would rather have the praise team in the balcony, because that intentionally takes the focus off of the group. But it has become habit that we need to have the praise team in the front. This brings about so many difficulties, many of which I currently face! There are the interpersonal relationships in the group, which happens in many choirs, but seem to be exaggerated in praise teams. And no matter how hard you try, the human side of people creeps back in and it becomes more of a focus on us than it is on God. I'm praying for guidance and wisdom as I journey through the challenges that God has placed in front of me.

It's not about me....

I've been blessed to have the opportunity to lead a Bible study on worship. We're going to be discussing lots of different ideas of worship, but we have been laying a foundation in talking about what worship is, what the differences are with corporate vs. personal worship and one of the interesting things that has come up is from an article that I acquired in college by former Synodical President A.L. Barry entitled "7 Theses on Worship". One of them is talking about the idea that worship isn't about us. All too often, many people in a "traditional" or "contemporary" service will leave worship saying "I didn't get anything out of the service". Well, if that's the case, there was probably something blocking the way. God gives us His gifts of Word and Sacrament, and those are very important things we get out of worship. But worship isn't about us. It's not about what music we like or don't like. It's not about whether we like if the pastor chants or speaks the liturgy. In the end, none of those things really matter. But what DOES matter in corporate worship is that we gather, as fellow sinner/saints, redeemed by Jesus Christ, and we have the opportunity to hear God's Word and receive the Sacraments. THAT is what worship is about. It's about God and what He has done for us through Jesus.

Favorites

We all have favorites, don't we? A favorite food, favorite song, favorite place, favorite book. What about a favorite hymn? If I were to ever continue my education toward my doctorate, that would be something I would investigate more. What makes a hymn or a song someone's favorite? Is it because of the words? The music? The memories associated with it? Lord, take my hand and lead me has always been one of my favorite hymns since my family sang it for my grandparents 50th wedding anniversary. There are memories that I have attached to it. As I continue my journey as a music director, I'm finding that there are many hymns that people would like to sing every Sunday, and hymns that they never want to sing. But it is my responsibility to balance the favorites, the well-knowns and the somewhat knowns and to teach the congregation about worship and teach them new hymns. Think about what your favorite hymn is, then ask yourself why is that one your favorite.

Welcome to the blog!

Hi there! Welcome to my blog! My name is Craig and this is an opportunity for me to ramble and share my thoughts about life as a church music director in a Lutheran church. Check back often for more thoughts and ideas, and please feel free to share your thoughts!