For: The Institute of Contemporary and Emerging Worship Studies, St Stephen’s University, Essentials Blue Online Worship Theology Course with Dan Wilt.
I have been thinking alot about the role of the worship artisan in the context of what it means to be a human being this week. I have been struck again and again by the importance of relationship in what God has called each of us to be.
We are made to be in relationship with one another and with God (Wilt, Video tutorial, week 3). The relationship with and what we learn about the character of God will influence what kind of relationships we build with others and how we conduct ourselves. This is also true of how we lead worship. Do we lead with true humility coming to serve those within our immediate community or do we thrive on the position and status that such a role offers?
I find this an honest question to ask myself and brings to the surface the motivations of why and how I lead. God’s salvation is cosmic – involving the whole of humanity. (Wilt ibid). As we bring together the ‘we’, we are restoring the essentail expression of Edenic community (Wilt ibid). We are participating and sharing in this when we gather together when we lead worship in singing.
I recognise that the history of the church has held back from allowing the creative expression in many forms, and some still are uncomfortable with worship taking the form it has within the contemporary worship music format. The position is indeed fraught with many dangers. As Jesus was tempted on the mountain top by Satan, so we as worship artisans can also be tempted from our own platforms. To recognise this danger is one step, to acknowledge how it applies to us in any given moment is another.
It is not insurmountable however. It is not necessary to throw the baby out with the bath water in this instance. Many who have gone before have shown that it is possible to lead with true humility and serve as role models pointing to the ultimate role model of Jesus Himself. The inspiration comes from the response to what we acknowledge what God has done for us.
We can keep ourselves and our role in perspective by worshipping in private, remembering who we worship and why. Theology also plays a vital role in us as worship artisans keeping our attitudes and approaches godly. ‘It matter that we learn more about who God is,so that we can praise more apporpriately’. (Wright, Simply Christian, p. 128).
This presents us with challenges, ones to which we can rise and soar and feel the fresh breeze of the renewing and energising presence of the One who inspires and sustains us.
July 19, 2008 at 3:32 am
I agree with what you said about “worshiping in private, remembering who we worship and why.” For some reason when I lead worship it’s so easy to get prideful and to somehow think, when the music sounds good, that it’s about me.
But when I spend time alone worshiping God I feel a greater sense of fulfillment. When I’m on stage, there is some performance involved because we want to play well and make it easy for others to worship. So it’s vital that we spend personal time playing and singing before him, the audience of one.
Contemplating who God is and what he has done, and what he is going to do; is another vital act of personal worship for me. If I can wrap my brain around theology, images, stories, and concepts, then get a slight feeling that I’m a kind of an explorer, setting out for a long journey to a far and fantastic land.
July 19, 2008 at 1:39 pm
Yes, explorers to far and fantastic lands. This journey is a gift, though filled with both pain and glory.
The “renewing and energizing” presence line is important – thanks and good job.