So this is my rant about music at church (aka “Worship Music”):
Why don’t we do what the song says? You go into most churches today and they are singing the cool and popular worship songs. And you and everyone around you is belting out the words to the song. “I’m falling on my knees…” and as they sing the words, what happens? Well most of the churches I’ve been to everyone stays standing or sitting or whatever they where doing. It would seem to me that if I were to walk up to you and say “I’m falling on my knees” and didn’t actually do it, you might be suspect of the next few things I said (and if you know the words of the song you’ll have an idea of what I’m talking about).
I just don’t understand how we can all be okay with singing these songs that have us voicing actions we are taking.
But when the world has seen the light, They will dance with joy, Like we’re dancing now
And we stand around looking like a bunch of dorks.
I lift my hands up…
I bow down…
There’s a long list and I won’t go into them now, but it’s always been a point of struggle for me.
An then there is the other side of it. Even though I’m the one that has a problem with this and it bothers me and all, I very rarely actually follow through myself. Mostly I think I worry about getting looked at with all sorts of judgements, “look at him trying to act better then everyone; more religious; pious.” So I often opt for not singing that particular song, or line in the song, or halfway, top secretly raising my hand or bending my knees, etc. And this needs to be changed also.
In high school with my youth group I would point it out; these days I don’t. That’s the tough part, how do we encourage change in this? Should the folks playing the insturments up front be in charge of encouraging people to “do” what they “say”? They are the “leaders” after all.
I just picture someone visiting most churches today and hearing them sing “I could sing of your love forever” and hearing these words
But when the world has seen the light, They will dance with joy, Like we’re dancing now
And walking out the door to search for joy elsewhere.
AMEN! Interesting timing as I was just wondering this same question on Sunday as I worshipped! Here’s a segment of the song that had me looking around in bewilderment:
“When the Spirit of the Lord comes upon my heart
I will dance like David danced
When the Spirit of the Lord comes upon my heart
I will dance like David danced
I will dance, dance, dance like David danced
I will dance, dance, dance like David danced”
I’ll admit that I too couldn’t resist looking around the congregation and I saw very little dancing. One of the worship leaders was freely moving and there were a few, myself included, who was moving to the level that our comfort allowed but the congregation was mostly standing still.
I have two responses to the questions that your post raised. First of all, although I’ve admitted that it bothers me as well I also see a problem with looking out at the congregation to see if words = actions. Mainly, I believe that worship is a truly personal experience and you should be focused on God and not on whether your actions will match up with the lyrics under the inspection of people like me. Also, you raised questions of how people can start to feel comfortable with following through on the actions. I think that if worshippers, like myself and yourself, who are convicted about this were bold enough to follow through others may soon feel the freedom as well.
It is a good question, isn’t it? I’ve often thought about that as I worship with with folks who sing more songs like this than I grew up singing. Our stated aim with our worship time is to worship as God leads so it’s expected in our setting that not everyone will do that stated action. Still, you’d think that some would do it at least.
Perhaps part of what we need is new songs that help people act in these ways that feel less coerced and more a personal expression of sacrifice. I have a feeling that many folks today don’t understand enough of why people practice different postures to get true value out off many songs that we sing.
I don’t know. I went to a Christian university where we had chapel every day, and where we frequently sang “I Stand in Awe of You”. And every time, for four years, like a room full of lemmings, we all stood in unison when we got to the chorus. I hated it, because we weren’t doing it because we meant it. But I did it, same as everybody else.
Maybe we just need to foster an atmosphere where people feel okay expressing their worship however they are experiencing it – literally or just within their heart – without thinking they’re completely weird or insincere. Stand or don’t stand. Dance, if your heart is rejoicing, but don’t, if you don’t mean it.
Just one thought about this. I come from a tradition where some form of movement/dancing is not uncommon.
That being said, I think that the blame for “I Can Sing Of Your Love Forever” lies with the songwriter/composer for putting the dancing line to almost completely undanceable music. Sigh, could someone please remix this song?
Great thoughts everyone!
I really appreciate hearing feedback on what I share, it challenges me, gives me ideas, helps me to think more clearly and much more.
I feel like there where a lot of tips pointed out:
act on your convictions to move or dance
remix that music!
emphasis the value of different postures in worship
foster a more comfortable atmosphere.
I’m with you all the way. Let’s sing songs that we can all fully sing. Thanks for the thoughts everyone!
Lemmings……hee hee hoo hoo…..that was funny.
I currently attend a church that when I lift my hand in praise the Pastor waves hello 🙂
There is nothing stopping me from dancing like a fool, weeping in a puddle, or shouting for joy in my house though!!!!
Interesting one. It’s always puzzled me but I’m not sure I would call it hypocrisy. For one thing we’re not really supposed to be judging other people as they worship. But my take on it is when we worship it’s our souls that are communicating with God and the words we sing are merely human representations of what our soul is doing. As a musician I find just singing the music helps me worship, regardless of the words. I do think we should be more open in our actions and that this can be encouraged by leaders but if we are told to do it then it would defeat the object of everyone worshipping through individual action and spontaneity. Sometimes if I really feel it would be hypocritical to sing a line I just don’t sing it.
It’s difficult and my uncertainty is probably more than evident in my waffly comment but ultimately I think it is a matter of conscience that should not be judged by anyone but God.