This week we look at our seventh core value—striving for excellence (not perfection). Webster defines excellence as “the quality or state of being outstanding or superior” whereas the term perfection implies “the quality or state of something that is as good or suitable as it can possibly be.” I have worked with many an artist whose primary
preoccupation was with “getting it right,” never making mistakes, chasing the elusive “flawless”performance. I can identify. As a young organist in my dad’s church growing up in Dallas, I was routinely evaluated by my mom at lunch each Sunday, which included her estimate of how many mistakes I had made that morning. (Bad Mommy--she had many other fine qualities!) Thank God for therapists!
But the pursuit of excellence in our ministry is not the same as seeking perfection. I remember years ago reading the motto of a music ministry at a very large, nationally known church in south Florida. It was simple but memorable: Excellence in all things and all things to God’s glory. Be excellent. Glorify God. On the surface, it seems fairly non-controversial. But in my experience with numerous worship ministries throughout the country, I believe that some “church musicians” seem to believe these two concepts are mutually exclusive.
Some would argue that the moment you begin to pursue excellence in your art, you quickly move to self-gratification or glorification. After all, the proponents of this viewpoint are quick to point out, the Bible says to make a joyful noise, doesn’t it, so all that matters to God is what is in our heart? The psalmist reminds us in Psalm 115 that at the core of our craft should be this attitude: “Not to us, O Lord; not to us but to Your name be the glory, because of Your love and faithfulness.” And the apostle Paul writes in 1 Corinthians 10:31 that the pursuit of glorifying God should touch every phase of our life: “So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.”
On the other side of the coin, it could be argued that we were made to exhibit excellence. After all, we were created in the image of God, the Original Artist, and that since He only created that which was good or very good, should not our creative pursuits be characterized by
excellence as well?
The scriptures are pretty clear that those who are chosen to use their art to lead God’s people in worship should do so with diligence and excellence, not just a pure heart. Psalm 33:3 reminds us to “sing to the Lord a new song; play skillfully on the strings, with loud shouts.”
1 Chronicles 25:6 describes a musical family which was assigned responsibilities for worship leadership, with this interesting emphasis: “they were all under the direction of their father in the music in the house of the Lord with cymbals, harps, and lyres for the service of the house of God. The number of them along with their brothers, who were trained in singing to the Lord, all were skillful, was 288. And they cast lots of their duties, small and great, teacher and pupil alike.”
Again, Paul in the New Testament reminds us that the focus of our lives should not be on the adequate or the ordinary but rather the highest and best, when he writes “whatever is true, whatever is
honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about theses things. (Philippians 4:8)
A final rationale for Christian artists and worship leaders pursuing excellence is that we in America are trying to reach a fairly sophisticated listener when it comes to the music and art available to our members and guests every day of their lives. If the arts are considered a language through which we can communicate the gospel, that language must be clear, precise, and relevant to the culture around it.
So which way to we go? Do we “worship the Lord in the beauty of
holiness”, as the Psalmist encourages, or do we reinterpret that verse to say “worship the Lord in the holiness of beauty?” Do we seek the beauty and glory of God through worship, or worship God through the achievement of creative and artistic beauty?
My question is, why must it be an either/or? In every area of this ministry, we can be moving toward higher ground. Spiritually, we must agree with Paul that we “have [not] already attained [spiritual] perfection, but I press on to make it my own because Christ has made me his own.” (Phil. 3:12) Artistically, we are entrusted with certain gifts which can always be improved upon, sharpened, and honed (Parable of the talents—Matthew 25:15ff).
When we view “excellence in all things and all things to God’s glory” as two sides to the same coin, we see ministry for what it is: a high calling which is at once a free gift and that which demands my life, my soul, my all. What about it, Hope Church worship team? Can we dare to become the church arts department that gets it…and gets it right?
-tad
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