This thread discusses the Content article: Wearisome Worship

I'd have to agree with your sentiment. We sorta worship the style rather than the Source.

Just thinking about the christian music market, I have been truly disappointed my last couple trips to the Christian bookstore. I went looking for some fresh tunes and all I could find was bland and predictable--no Keith Green types, or Rich Mullins, or the like. I couldn't find a single CD I wanted to buy.

Yes, and it's particularly a difficult wrestling match with myself in worship services as I struggle to connect via these songs, as well as not harbor a sense of judgementalism toward those who think it's the "cat's meow." Last night was a great example as our worship gathering began with a rousing rendition of Hillsong's "King of Majesty". Here's the opening lyrics:

You know that,
I love you,
You know that,
I want to know you so much more,
More than I have before

These words are,
From my heart,
These words are,
Not made up,
I will live for you,
I am devoted to you

While these may be an honest sentiment, they are about as shallow as they come. It's almost as though we're trying to convince ourselves, and, perhaps, we are.

i'm torn on this: on the one hand, i've only been a christian for 15 years but i'm amazed how consistent this refrain is - i hear it over and over -- and part of me wonders if this isn't too easy a subject, if worship is too obvious a target. on the other hand, there does seem to be a lack of creativity (perhaps complexity might be a better term) in worship as musical expression.

but we are talking about mainstream, general populace, hoi polloi church. much like our culture in general. look at tv, pop music, film, literature -- in every medium there are a majority of practitioners/ producers and consumers that would seem fairly palatable; whereas there are always a minority that will be exercising more creativity or exploring more challenging approaches.

i wonder if the issue isn't so much that it isn't out there as we just have to find it. i think there are plenty of resources for these hidden gems - we just have to share them with each other (perhaps we should start listing the sites we snoop around in to discover these chrstian cultural creatives?).

in fact, this reminds me of a discussion i'm having in another forum...we are discussing the role of Beauty in creative work, and its relation to Truth. my contention is that Beauty has to do with the appropriate expression for the chosen subject matter (which is not simply a subjective aesthetic - read: pleasing - component). in the context of the musical expression of worship in songs - perhaps the lyrics and/or the music don't properly or adequately reflect the subject matter, and this is what leaves some of us dissatisfied. just a thought.

lastly, perhaps this is less a reflection of the artists "out there" as it is of the audience "in here" (or of our culture, whether the christian sub-culture or 'secular' culture).

Post edited by: techne, at: 2007/08/04 15:50

Post edited by: techne, at: 2007/08/04 15:51

These are all some very solid points. I definately think that your calling us to look outside the bubble to our brothers and sisters in the mainstream world is a challenging one. And you're right. There is a lot of art created that is palatable but not necessarily what we would consider over-the-top creative.

You're also right that the music, in some ways, is out there and I think that a focused sharing of haunts and places is a great idea. But I continue to return to the bottom line of why the greater majority of Christians (I realize this is possibly an overstatement but it'll do for now) seem content to offer up these trite praises to their God? Where did we achieve that point that we shut off the creative centers of our brain and opted instead for the simplistic and predictable fold?

One last thought here that challenges my own view: What if we're wrong and the issue is not the complexity of the musical structure or the depth of the lyrics? What if the "beauty" of these modern worship songs lies exactly in their simplicity? Am I longing for a way of worship that will alienate others due to it's depth? Or am I straining at the proverbial gnat, missing the bigger picture of what God has done and who He is?

to reply to some of your replies...

There is a lot of art created that is palatable but not necessarily what we would consider over-the-top creative.
and that's okay, right? the question is: what is the purpose of that corporate gathering where worship is expressed as singing and playing instruments? is that the place for "the cutting edge"? not everyone can find G-d in those places, let alone through those more experimental expressions. i have a number of friends for whom the 'song service' is a mystery - they sense G-d's presence while worshipping in other idioms: writing, dance, cleaning toilets. we've made this particular mode the plumbline and touchstone and perhaps it isn't.

But I continue to return to the bottom line of why the greater majority of Christians...seem content to offer up these trite praises to their God? Where did we achieve that point that we shut off the creative centers of our brain and opted instead for the simplistic and predictable fold?
i don't know...but perhaps it has more to do with how we structure our gatherings than a lack of creativity. do we teach people how to express worship through their own songs and words? do we tell tham that saying "i worship you" isn't actually worshiping any more than saying "i am speaking to you" is communicating? does it reflect a larger culture of observers and consumers both within and outside church culture? i think that the structure of a gathering communicates a lot about what is actually believed and exercised. are we okay with awkwardness and stuttering and even silence if we do try to draw people out of their complacency and confort zones? do we allow people to model and teach what other ways or modes are available and possible?

and let's not assume that the phrases (tried and true as they may be) are trite to people. perhaps they have become trite to you...they are long lasting and enduring because they actually do communicate some important things (ideas or emotions), and will continue to do so. i'm not from a liturgical tradition, but when i visit liturgical gatherings i love the ritual and invocations and shared affirmations. and if that ever became dead to me it would be my issue, and not the fault of the language. the question is one of connection (and then, perhaps, improvization).

One last thought here: What if we're wrong and the issue is not the complexity of the musical structure or the depth of the lyrics? What if the "beauty" of these modern worship songs lies exactly in their simplicity?
i think that - in some cases - it is precisely the simplicity that is key. but simplicity does not equal thin-ness or paucity or vacuousness or superficiality. there are some pretty simple and repetitive psalms in the bible, y'know...

Am I longing for a way of worship that will alienate others due to its depth? Or am I straining at the proverbial gnat, missing the bigger picture of what God has done and who He is?
well, i think we'll always miss the bigger picture of G-d (he is the Great Iconoclast, after all), but it is precisely the connection of these things to our experience of him in our lives that will enrich and deepen them. it's when those lyrics connect to that they they become full and resonant. these songs and the music are simply a tool, a doorway, a reminder, an invitation to reflect upon, meditate about and savour the G-d that has set us free.

there are certainly worship gatherings that may be worship-full to you that are more creatively challenging (and alienating to many others), and perhaps you should visit some of those and see what that's like. but there is something deeply valuable and important and holy about a shared, communal expression of worship to G-d, especially when those gathered are responding to G-d with thankfullness and joy and brokenness - and we can do that regardless of the music.

in the final analysis, as my wife just said: "i don't really think G-d cares...he looks at the heart." and that challenges me.

enjoying the exchange...

pax

Post edited by: techne, at: 2007/08/25 07:44

btw - what does meet your standards?

personally, i like brian doerksen's approach -- evidently, he has one group of people who critique his lyrics as lyrics, as poetry; he has another group of people who critique the music and how it suits the song; and he has another group of people who critique the theology in the song. if a song doesn't measure up in one of these areas, he keeps working on it (and that's regardless of "inspiration" -- no hiding behind "the LORD gave me this song" as an excuse to avoid the difficult task of showing yourself approved as a worksman).

i like that. i wish more people did that.

Post edited by: techne, at: 2007/08/25 07:50