Pastor’s Point: To read or not to read... that is the question

(Part 2 of Soapboxes and other rickety platforms)

[Two weeks ago I spoke of inappropriately using a “soapbox” approach to address an issue about which I feel strongly.  In that article, I basically apologized for that ‘bully pulpit’ tactic and promised to clarify the actual issue in a subsequent installment.  Here it is.]

The Issue:  It is my observation that those leading worship and music in the contemporary church have, as a rule, less and less formal musical training, and worship and music departments, by default, are more and more limited in the style and diversity of their musical offerings.  This does not, of course, call into question their spirituality, love for God, or even their effectiveness to lead, for a season, a worship ministry.

But under such musically limited leadership, the use of actual musical scores and printed music is giving way to simple lead sheets and chord charts, often with not so much as a note of music, but rather simply lyrics with accompanying guitar chords.  In fact, what is now the generally accepted practice in many large, contemporary churches is learning music almost exclusively by rote. For the vocalists, this is mainly done by merely listening to professional music samples and imitating those vocal and instrumental parts after much repetition.

Those playing in most contemporary bands do so using “scores” with no written melody, no written rhythms, not an actual musical score or “roadmap” (containing such things as measure numbers, repeat signs, dynamics, tags, codas, etc).  One of the reasons I find this so frustrating is because of what it ignores; namely, the way we all learn language of any kind.  As children, before we can read (interpret letters, symbols, punctuation, etc.) we are forced to learn only through repetition.  If you tell me a story enough times, eventually I can repeat it back to you in a fairly close proximity to the original.  That is where many contemporary music ministries are parking.  But how much more freeing (and unifying) it is when signs and symbols begin to be understood, and we are free to let our eyes as well as our ears tell us what the music is saying.  And just like reading a book yourself, as opposed to having the book read to you over and over till you remember it, learning a musical language SAVES TIME.

But at the end of the day…hear this.  Musical knowledge alone does not a minister make.  Knowing the science of our craft does not change our hearts.  It’s a tool, a mechanism that is readily available to us if we will take advantage of it.  To ignore it means less people, not more, can be employed to use their artistic gifts.  “The speed of the leader, speed of the team” axiom often fits here.  If I can’t read a musical score, I can’t be of much assistance in teaching you how to, so you must adapt to my method of learning or limitations.  But what qualifies you and me to stand (sit) before God’s people and lead worship is, first and foremost, that we know HIM, not music.  Churches all over the country are filled with music ministries today led by consummate musicians who don’t know the Lord.  It’s just a place to practice their craft.

But for those leaders who love the Lord and are called or commissioned to lead such ministries, I challenge you not to dumb down the process of learning music by simply adapting a rote learning method.  I propose that all of us who desire to give God our best and lead with skill and excellence, be willing to grow in this area and take advantage of any method which helps our team learn quickly, skillfully, and effectively.  One of our core values in this ministry is “Excellence in all things and all things to God’s glory.” They are two sides to the same coin.  Excellence—not perfection.  It involves pursuit, growth, improvement (within limits), and assessment.  But only as it serves to help us better reflect and illustrate our amazing Creator.

Quoting from “Sweet Sixteen”:

“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.  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). “

I would love to invite your input to this “discussion” and would ask each of you to pray about what your next step would be toward greater effectiveness as a music minister or worship leader.  The same God who loves a joyful noise inspired David to write: “Play skillfully, with a shout of joy!” (Ps. 33)  Can I get an Amen?! 

tad