I promised the next time a church worship leader was featured on American Idol I would write a few sentences about it on my humble space. It happened again tonight, so here we go. Sorry, I don't get all gooey inside with the thought a worship leader is talented enough to compete in a "secular" contest. I know other believers think it's the greatest thing in the world that their worship leader can make it "big". I know pastors probably are banking on the free publicity it will bring to their church. I don't think it's great. Actually it makes me sad that someone can be singing for God on Sunday and then so easily sing for the applause of man on Tuesday. The comments tonight were particularly telling. The latest worship leader was questioned if he could be committed to his church and the contest at the same time. The judges seemed to encourage him to pass on the contest and give his full attention to the church. He didn't. I don't think the thought ever crossed his mind, he walked away with a golden ticket like the many other worship leaders before him. But let's not forget what their walking away from. Oh, and let's not forget what their competing for, the title of American Idol.
1 John 5:21 Little children, keep yourselves from idols. Amen.
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Perhaps singing in church was only a fallback position, for what they really wanted to do?
SLW,
Well, we've know that for years, people with talent use the church as their "stage", but the number that find themselves in auditions on Idol is truly unbelievable. The people on idol are more then happy to take them away from their churches. More then happy.
I honestly wondered if perhaps the Lord was speaking through the judges when they encouraged him to commit himself to his church instead of trying to be a pop idol. When I worked doing music in a secular setting I was never so happy as I was to escape that and work in the church instead. Guess we really need to pray for the contestant you wrote about.
Anne
Anne,
Let's not forget this isn't an isolated instance, every season I see more and more worship leaders church singers on the show. Now there is only one "Idol" but even the top group go on to make a music career outside the Church, am I the only one that dares say anything?
Ian,
A little thought experiment might be fun...
Let's say there was a guy who's dream was to manage the best turf in the world. Jobs in that area aren't hanging on trees, so in the meantime this fellow, wishing to be productive and responsible, took what landscaping jobs were available. In the midst of all that, his church (which had substantial grounds) invited him to come turf manage for the glory of God. He jumped at the chance and found great joy in "landscaping for the Lord" for a few years, when he got the call from one of the most elite golf courses on the planet. His said good-bye to his pastor and church and caught the next bus to Whereever.
Would you have the same problem with his decision that you have with these worship leaders on Idol?
SLW,
Good question. To keep it in perspective, let's imagine Augusta National had a TV competition for their next Head Grounds crew and the candidate field was flooded with Church grounds people, would I object? To be fair, I probably wouldn't but there is a small part of me that might and could. Even though the caring of the church grounds is just as an important ministry then worship leader the evangelical church hasn't exalted the position like it has exalted the "Worship leader". I think the church takes a blow when the same face seen leading a congregation in worship to God on Sunday is singing for the praise, votes of man in such a public manner. The groundskeeper works behind the scenes, and last I checked the ministry isn't one of the five-fold gifts to the Church, yes Worship-leader isn't, but I think we've made it one, wrongly so, but we have.
Let's not forget the incredible power and influence music has in our society. I can't help but think this entire Idol competition goes against everything that was drilled in me during the church talent competitions I participated in. Teen Talent was a tool for young people to use their talent for God so they wouldn't feel the need to use it for the "world". The Church knew that the music scene was worldly and it could draw young men and women away from God. Why is the Church now applauding and encouraging our best talent to pursue avenues that could lead them off the straight and narrow? Has the music scene changed? Are the American Idol winners using their talent for the glory of God? Do we dare check and see what Underwood, Studdard, Fantasia, etc are singing about? I went to a Ruben Studdard concert and had to leave with my boys, the boys didn't even argue with me, my former Pastor left also. I don't think the caring of the grounds carries with it the same power and influence music does. SLW, do you?
You know what, at least we're discussing it, I have a feeling that not too many churches leaders/believers are, that's telling to me.
For the record, If the groundscrew guy in this scenario was being well taken care off, and wasn't in need I would ask Why isn't it your dream to be working for the Church? But I wouldn't push hard.
Ian,
Someone's got to solve the church's problems, why not you and me? ;-)
...the ministry isn't one of the five-fold gifts to the Church, yes Worship-leader isn't, but I think we've made it one, wrongly so, but we have.
I think this is probably the thing that makes me think there might be a double standard. I don't see music and worship leading as spirit inspired ministry per se. I see it as a service, no different in my mind from an accountant helping with the church's books, or a landscaper helping with the church's grounds.
To tell you the truth, the subject matter is a bit of a pet peeve of mine-- the aggrandizement of music in the church. "Worship" has become an opportunity to showcase talent and put on a concert, really, to entertain. Worship is actually about what's happening between the body and God, not about what's happening between the musical ensemble and an audience. Musicians and singers are background at best, and should never be treated like spotlighted performers. And yet, Sunday in and Sunday out, in church after church after church, it's either Ted Mack's Amateur Hour for the talentless but narcissistic or American Idol for the skilled and ambitious. God gets so little of the attention, the gifts disappear in the shadows, and everyone goes to lunch afterward and rates the performances of the principals.
"Someone's got to solve the church's problems, why not you and me? ;-)"
It used to be me and Jim from Old Truth, until he found out I wasn't a Calvinist, then I thought PG was the "chosen one", but the blogosphere took a blow when he left, so maybe it is us?
I can see where you perceive a double standard, so I guess you would be with me if it was one one of the 5 fivefold gifts that was being compromised? IE, if someone wanted to be a great orator, used his talent as a Preacher to keep a congregation captive with his eloquence until a bigger and better opportunity came along outside the church to use his talent, then he runs.
Maybe I'll write again to explain further what troubles me so much about what's happening on "Idol". There is something wrong, this has been happening for several years now and like Anne said, it was alomost as if God was speaking through the judges on this one, if you didn't see the episode I'll try to find it on the Internet.
When I think of these types of questions I think of this...
There was a song "written by Rhea F. Miller with the tune written by George Beverly Shea. This poem, written in 1922, was left on a piano in the Shea home by Bev Shea who wanted her son to find it and change the course of his life.
The words, I’d rather have Jesus, moved George so much and spoke to him about his own aims and ambitions in life. He sat down at the piano and began singing them with a tune that seemed to fit the words. Shea’s mom heard him singing it and asked him to sing it at church the next day.
George’s life direction did change. He was offered a popular music career with NBC, but a few years later chose to become associated with evangelist Billy Graham and sang this hymn around the world. " In essence he said, "I’d Rather Have Jesus;"
Are we thinking of our own aims and ambitions in life, or "I’d Rather Have Jesus." ?
Interesting comments here on your
blog In response to SLW worship
teams and the whole concept is one
of my pet peeves also Yes they should be background people. Helping to facilitate. Why is it that we need to here only the worship team in alot of our churches? Everything is so
structured. Actually let's have
spirit led folk leading worship
so the Holy Spirit can move. Just
thought I would jump in the conversation.
Anon,
A little divine chaos would more than welcome!
Ian2,
Are we related? Anywho, that is an excellent addition to the conversation, George Beverly Shea, how the attitude has changed over the years.
Anon,
Just a thought, how much Hillsong in Australia has changed worship in our churches, for the better? talk amongst yourselves.
SLW, Bring the divine chaos on, but let's make sure there is someone to sort it all out!!! I remember your post about Revival Jesus, one of your best.
Although I like many of the songs that come from Hillsongs, I don't like any of the videos of the worship experience; nor for that matter, any of those of large churches I've seen. They are concerts. The only notable difference between those "worship" experiences and a secular concert is that in the church the folk stand swaying with their eyes shut rather than opened. It in no way reflects the instructions of 1 Corinthians 14, and from my Pentecostal perspective, adopting that methodology has squelched the gifts.
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