Mission Worship - do we need these songs?
Hi all
I'm over in Brighton meeting with some good friends at the moment. Yesterday, I spent the day meeting with Stuart Townend and Malcolm du Plessis to discuss a concern of ours that we have a lack of songs that we can sing when the world is in crisis. There are few songs that we can sing when we want to communicate something about war, justice, poverty, the changing climate etc.
This is an interesting one for me as I have always been interested in politics, human rights and the Christian response to social issues. I've worked in this arena for many years and am still passionate about it.
In leading worship, I have tried to introduce songs (either ones that I have written or an established song) to a set that say something to remind us of our responsibility to engage with that part of the Gospel which is about responding to the poor etc. For example, we've played 'Make me a channel of our peace' a lot.
Standing from the front, what I have noticed is that songs like this seem to disengage some people. Their hands go down. They stop singing and spectate. They switch off. Some people do respond but many dont. Why is this?
Do you think there is a need for song writers and worship leaders to introduce songs that engage peoples hearts and intellects in these issues? If so, how can it be done in a way that encourages, is gracious and doesn't sit in judgement?
What are your ideas about the current state of affairs in the church of the west with regard to worship and engaging with these issues?
Peace,
Johnny xo
I'm over in Brighton meeting with some good friends at the moment. Yesterday, I spent the day meeting with Stuart Townend and Malcolm du Plessis to discuss a concern of ours that we have a lack of songs that we can sing when the world is in crisis. There are few songs that we can sing when we want to communicate something about war, justice, poverty, the changing climate etc.
This is an interesting one for me as I have always been interested in politics, human rights and the Christian response to social issues. I've worked in this arena for many years and am still passionate about it.
In leading worship, I have tried to introduce songs (either ones that I have written or an established song) to a set that say something to remind us of our responsibility to engage with that part of the Gospel which is about responding to the poor etc. For example, we've played 'Make me a channel of our peace' a lot.
Standing from the front, what I have noticed is that songs like this seem to disengage some people. Their hands go down. They stop singing and spectate. They switch off. Some people do respond but many dont. Why is this?
Do you think there is a need for song writers and worship leaders to introduce songs that engage peoples hearts and intellects in these issues? If so, how can it be done in a way that encourages, is gracious and doesn't sit in judgement?
What are your ideas about the current state of affairs in the church of the west with regard to worship and engaging with these issues?
Peace,
Johnny xo
posted by Johnny Parks at 8:19:00 a.m.
3 Comments:
Worship songs should reflect our heart for God.
Our heart for God needs to include a heart for Justice.
A heart for Justice and a heart for worship are the most natural of partners.
I'm going to keep singing songs of justice because i can;t see why i shouldn't. And you wouldn't be you if you didn't sing them as well.
hope that makes sense!!
peace and manly love to you
dg
So glad to hear of some of you guys wrestling with this... it's something I struggle with. We have so few songs of lament... I don't want to dishonour God by singing songs about how fantastic everything is when my life and my heart is breaking at the injustice in the world. I know part of that is praising God for his goodness despite how I feel, but we really lack songs that challenge injustice. The only one I've heard recently has been God of Justice by Tim Hughes. Please keep wrestling... we need lead worshippers who have the courage to stand and proclaim God's truth, even when it is painful, to challenge us out of our apathy.
just wondering whether people switch off in worship because they feel the focus is off God and onto them selves. Some songs like 'take it too the Lord in prayer'are more sermons than worship. We DEFINITLEY need songs that express Gods heart for the poor and oppressed. We DEFINITLEY need to be challenged as rich christians in the west on our distribution of wealth so i wonder weather turning worship into prayer would be more engaging for those with their hands in the air. Yes they may put their hands down but they may want to stretch them out in prayer. I have often turned songs around like Hoosties 'Miracle' to work a miracle in THEIR hearts(not that I don't need to change!!)
Anyway just trhoughts of a virgin blogger!!!!
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