My Pet Peeves: Piano During Prayer
I don’t know about you, but one thing I don’t like . . . I mean, really don’t like . . . is when there is a piano playing softly in the background while someone is praying during service. You know, this always happens during the nice sweet tender moments of a message. It may be at the giving of the Gospel, the conclusion of a message, or during the prayer. Slowly in the background, somehow without you noticing, the pianist has stuck back up to the stage and began playing softly.
Call it creating the mood, preparing the audience, or whatever. I call it a shameful, fake, and manipulative part of the Christian sub-culture.
Stop it! Please. Throw this in the recycle bin. If emergers don’t do this, I am going emerging.
Seriously, while I don’t like it, why do we do it?
(This is part of a new perpetual series called “Pet Peeves” on Parchment and Pen. Please don’t take these too seriously as they may be over-the-top rants to create conversation. You can submit your own pet peeve in the lower left of the blog. It might be published!)
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Lisa R on 08 May 2008 at 6:22 pm #
Wow, if you had asked me this a few years ago, I would have given you a completely different answer since I was the one at the keyboard during prayer creating the soft piano music.
I cannot speak for why others do it but I can tell you the mindset of the madness I was involved with. Music is a powerful medium, no doubt. My former church had a orientation towards third-wave and new revelation ideas. Dangerous, I know (which is why I am no longer there). With this comes an idea that God will move through the music, that it can be used to open a person’s heart. And really this is nothing more than a pantheistic idealogy and has nothing to do with opening a person’s heart. Only the Holy Spirit can do that.
Wonders for Oyarsa on 08 May 2008 at 6:38 pm #
Hey Michael, we Anglicans don’t do this. Come on in, the water’s fine!
C Michael Patton on 08 May 2008 at 6:41 pm #
On my way.
C Michael Patton on 08 May 2008 at 6:42 pm #
Lisa,
Only one question: how did you sneak up there with no on knowing?
Mitch on 08 May 2008 at 6:49 pm #
I met a man whose ministry was to come in after a church split and mend the situation as best as possible. He pointed out that most church splits happen over the most trivial of issues, including the color of carpet voted on, or even what style podium was chosen.
Unless an issue is really critical, let it go
By this shall all men know you are my disciples…
Lisa R on 08 May 2008 at 6:51 pm #
Awww….they knew it was coming. It was rare that we didn’t have music following the message. Since I was on the worship team also, I would always sit in the first row right by the keyboard and wait for my cue from the pastor.
C Michael Patton on 08 May 2008 at 6:56 pm #
Mitch, I certianly agree. That is why I footnoted this with “over the top.”
Eric S. Mueller on 08 May 2008 at 7:01 pm #
This is one thing I don’t have to deal with worshiping at a church of Christ. Organs are instrumental music, and church of Christ frowns on instrumental music. Of course, that leaves open the question, if you forget to silence your cell phone, and it rings during service, is that instrumental music?
I actually don’t consider myself to be “church of Christ.” It’s the church I got saved in, and it’s a loving family that tries to take the Bible seriously. I figure if I ever found the perfect church, I’d also find I don’t belong there.
Phil Smoke on 08 May 2008 at 7:02 pm #
Um, YES! Amen! I don’t know when I first started to really notice the “mood music,” but I absolutely hate it. I find it disgustingly manipulative and shallow, and I, for one, have resolved to never pray a public prayer with mood music - I’ll tell the pianist to stop if I ever met with such an unexpected accompaniment.
Lisa R on 08 May 2008 at 7:10 pm #
Actually, Michael and Mitch, I am going to disagree slightly. No, its certainly not an essential but a little higher on the totem pole than you all have inferred. Music during prayer is used as an enhancement. Innocently, it is used to “set the mood”. Then you have the more extreme philosophy, as I described in my first comment. Either way, it is like us saying “God we need to help you out”. This can be misleading both to the musicians and to the listeners. It also plays on the senses and may even create a false sense of spiritual enlightenment. And I agree with Michael…it is manipulative.
Kaffinator on 08 May 2008 at 7:12 pm #
Why do we do this? It’s a cultural accommodation.
If you watch TV, listen to radio, or watch a movie, you get bombarded by musical cues which attempt to do one or more of the following:
- smooth a transition
- reinforce a brand
- tell you what to feel
- reassure you that the “show is still on” … in the absence of meaningful content
If your television show, movie, or radio station fails to use music in this way, you will sound harsh, jarring, maybe even viewer-hostile. It would be like going to a website that is entirely black-on-white times new roman 12 point type. Sure, you CAN read it but who will want to.
So … are you “creating a mood” when you post on a parchment-colored background? Why, yes you are. So, why doesn’t your pastor get to do this (except with audio instead of color)? Honest question.
C Michael Patton on 08 May 2008 at 7:13 pm #
One time my guitar player snuck up while I was praying and started strumming softly. I was so irritated that I could hardly continue. Actually, first I was embarrassed, then irritated
I broke the guitar over his head. (After ther service of course).
C Michael Patton on 08 May 2008 at 7:18 pm #
Kaff, nice try
But the pastor is already dressed for the occation. That is his colors and background. That is enough for me.
It is like the organ playing while someone is preaching. You know, like when someone says something really loud and then there is the blarring sound of the organ to accompany it.
I could also create the mood by having applause and laughter signs (although I am so funny I don’t need that).
Kaffinator on 08 May 2008 at 7:22 pm #
…and, join us next time on Pet Peeves for: pastors who wear loud ties. (cue the jammin’ bumper music and fade to commercial)
C Michael Patton on 08 May 2008 at 7:29 pm #
Kaff, I like where you are going with this. Do you think we could divide some churches?
Chad Winters on 08 May 2008 at 7:45 pm #
sounds like a Finneyism…
Sara on 08 May 2008 at 8:00 pm #
Am I the only one who enjoys the piano playing during prayer time? I don’t really pray with words in my head–it’s usually a jumble of images, unspoken ideas, and hinging ideas. Emotional, sure. But that’s what I got to work with, and I get enough theological study time in during my other waking hours. The music helps me form all these things together so that I’m better able to “speak” to God.
I’ll just make sure that I don’t show up at ya’lls churches… (j/k, I’m sure they’re lovely places:-).
C Michael Patton on 08 May 2008 at 8:01 pm #
Actually, my church does this
Brian on 08 May 2008 at 8:18 pm #
At our church the guitar player strums quietly during prayer, and I thought I was the only one irritated by it! For exactly the same reasons too: It just seems manipulative to me. When praying, I want to be focusing on the message of the prayer, the words we are speaking to God. Sure, worship and prayer can take more forms than simple words. However, music in the background just comes across as a crass way of setting a mood for the congregation (audience?) to follow.
Sometimes our church has done it during Communion too - I wrote about that in the suggestion box.
I guess I shouldn’t take it so seriously; Obviously there are many who enjoy it. But to me, it comes across like an “Applause” sign at a comedy club. “This is the time to feel certain emotions!”
Jonathan Enns on 08 May 2008 at 9:06 pm #
Hmm….
I definately see your point, but like Mitch says, is it really a critical issue?
I think that there are many dangers with attempting to make something emotional just to get an emotional response…
however I believe that sometimes music can be used to eliminate distractions. (ie. the coughs & buzzing air conditioners)
Music is the tool we use when we sing a prayer…is it inappropriate to say a prayer with music in the background if it helps to draw attention to what is being said to God?
Is not the entire point of a worship team to lead people into a place where they are focused on glorifying God through song? And to do this they eliminate distractions by playing skillfully to the best of their abilities, and not going “above & beyond” to attract attention. Music is the venue used to focus peoples attention on the Words to praise God.
I don’t know…perhaps if so many of you are distracted by it, it is a bad thing. I know i am not distracted by it, and usually it reminds me that what is happening is serious, and awesome, we are talking to our Saviour!
Michael…this would be an interesting poll.
Dave on 08 May 2008 at 9:11 pm #
Wow, that’s funny. It’s just music. I like music. I like praying. I don’t see the conflict. It’s trivial. But I like your blog!
bethyada on 08 May 2008 at 10:43 pm #
And Elisha said, “As the LORD of hosts lives, before whom I stand, were it not that I have regard for Jehoshaphat the king of Judah, I would neither look at you nor see you. But now bring me a musician.” And when the musician played, the hand of the LORD came upon him.
Are you just resisting the hand of the Lord here Michael?
Jerry B on 08 May 2008 at 11:13 pm #
At a church I regularly attend, they started doing this, and it apparently the pianist was a new at this, because it was just a touch too loud, and it actually seemed to be a distraction to the pastor. Now I suppose the most honest, spirit-filled way of dealing with on the part of the pastor would be to pause the prayer, turn and nicely ask the pianist to stop, then begin over or resume the prayer. However, he soldiered on, which struck me as “doing prayer” rather than prayer, so I have to admit to being a bit sensitive to it now. On further reflection, the whole praise team thing is starting to eat at me a bit, but I’ll stop before I start rambling.
Sally on 08 May 2008 at 11:34 pm #
{Big sigh}
I’m a worship leader and designer and hear the comments of the congregation all the time so let me give you a representative sample I heard from parishoners within about a one month timeframe recently
“…love the music! Lots of energy…”
“….band is too loud…”
“….prayer too long…”
“….need more prayer in service…”
“…more guitar!…”
“…all I could hear was the guitar…”
“…not enough scripture…”
“…too many bible verses…”
Seriously, I try to make as many people happy as possible! For a long time I made adjustments every time someone mentioned something they liked or disliked. Now it’s not that I don’t care, I REALLY DO…it’s just that the messages are always conflicting and there’s never a time when all the folks are happy…..
From The Balcony on 09 May 2008 at 1:20 am #
Well, Michael - those darts are coming heavy this last week! I’m the pianist who sometimes plays under the prayer if appropriate.
Here’s my answer — it must be the bent of a man
- they must have difficulty being able to do two things at the same time. 
Sorry, I couldn’t resist!
I, as someone involved in worship, have a sincere intent on creating an atmosphere of worship for those who desire to worship. I am thoughtful about what I play, especially during prayer. My intent is not to distract from the prayer.
Did all y’all ever consider how much abuse we get from all y’all because we can’t please all of you? It really is a discouragement to those of us called to this ministry that no matter how hard we try, someone always throws daggers at us. Just a friendly reminder that we are human….
On a lighter note - I remember in Africa when people would pray out loud. In the background you would hear many murmurs and unusual sounds from the congregation as the words reached into their heart. It was actually distracting from the prayer for me, but at the same time, it was an offering and an aroma being lifted up to God as the people united together in prayer.
Lisa R on 09 May 2008 at 4:45 am #
Sally and Balconey,
I was on the worship team (keyboard, vocals) for 4 years in my old church. So I can definitely relate to what you both are saying about the pleasing factor. And the fact is you can’t because people are well, people.
The issue here is not about music per se. I mean afterall, there so much in the Psalms that says to praise God with instruments. So yes, by all means…strike up the band
. The music portion our services should reflect a heartfelt praise to God.
But the soft music during the altar call and prayer, I think is a completely different animal. It’s kind of like reinforcement. It appeals to our senses, which in turn motives some kind of response. But the question is, what are we responding to really, our senses our conviction of the Holy Spirit? That’s my take anyway.
Jim on 09 May 2008 at 5:53 am #
Yup, it drives me to distraction. Distracts me from what is being prayed and puts my stomach in knots. I’ve tried, but I just can’t stand it. I’m with you on this one.
Mike B on 09 May 2008 at 6:22 am #
Like a number of the people who commented so far, I too often thought that I was the only one who felt this way. It is marvelous to have some sympathy!
I find “invitational” musical particularly annoying because it does strike me as rather manipulative. But I know that many churches have music during extended times of prayer after service because there are many people in their congregations who feel that they are helped by it. I have several friends who pray privately with background music going. I personally cannot stand this. Being a musician myself, music cannot just be background for me. It almost always find a way to take center stage in my mind. I would rather just do without it.
But what do you think about the incident in 2 Kings 3, in which Elisha demands that a harp player be brought to him before he prophesies? This is a peculiar, singular incident in the scriptures, and is certainly not enough to much of any solid practice on; but suppose Elisha was just so irritated by the king’s request that he needed soothing music to be played before he could prophesy properly, or something to that effect. That the playing of the harp could have a spiritual impact is attested to also in the narratives of David and Saul. I would be skeptical of drawing too direct a relationship between the music, and the hand of the Lord coming on Elijah, but even that is also a possibility. So I humbly ask you opinion.
Even so, this is an individual application. There were musicians in the temple continually making music before YHWH, but this was for the benefit of God, not the worshipers. So my final conclusion in regard to this kind of use of music in church is this: some people appreciate it. Some people are bothered and distracted by it. The people who appreciate it really can do without it, but the people for whom it is a distraction are really hindered by it. Therefore, it is better to give deference to the latter group and leave the music out altogether.
Jonathan Enns on 09 May 2008 at 7:23 am #
But avoid foolish controversies and genealogies and strife and disputes about the Law, for they are unprofitable and worthless.
Titus 3:9
No one is every going to be pleased…no one has the same likes/dislike. Church is a building full of sinners, never is everyone going to be focused rightly from a pure heart. Our duty as leaders & laypeople is to encourage, exhort, and rebuke.
Healthy discussion I think is good, but unless something such as this is a serious distraction block to the congregation, I think it would do MORE harm to remove it and perhaps offend several people than to let it be.
Noisy Worship Music at Everything is Backwards on 09 May 2008 at 7:50 am #
[...] and a talented vocalists? Does he want to hear skillful arrangements and prayers laced with tender piano music, led by an up and coming worship leader with diving board [...]
Jeremy on 09 May 2008 at 8:53 am #
How else is the Spirit going to move without “Just as I am” playing during the altar call?
A Lover of Truth on 09 May 2008 at 10:20 am #
“Seriously, while I don’t like it, why do we do it?”
Good point Michael, truth is, it is a SIN (adding instrumental music in the worship of God under the Covenant of Christ).
1. All acceptable music to God is authorized by Christ (Col. 3:17).
2. Singing with one’s heart is the only acceptable music authorized by Christ (Eph. 5:19).
3. Therefore any other music any man can make that is not singing with the heart is not authorized by Christ.
Argument is valid, the premises are true, therefore the argument is sound and the conclusion is true.
Luk 6:46 And why call ye me, Lord, Lord, and do not the things which I say?
I certainly appreciate your honest appraisal of this sinful action.
“Music is the tool we use when we sing a prayer…is it inappropriate to say a prayer with music in the background if it helps to draw attention to what is being said to God?”
And all this time I thought we used the human spirit and expression of the heart (when silently praying) and vocalizing said expression when vocally expressing as public prayer is offered.
It is absurd to conclude that a person’s attention cannot be drawn to spiritual things without mechanical music (the call to prayer/worship is enough for any honest individual, as is singing only sufficient when praise in song is offered).
How can the person “playing” be “praying” and this be acceptable to God under the New Covenant?
By what authority doest thou these things and who gave thee this authority (Matt. 21:23)?
This question was asked by dishonest individuals (Christ obviously had God’s authority to do what He did) but it must be a question asked by honest truth seekers as well today because the only things accepted by God are authorized by God.
C Michael Patton on 09 May 2008 at 10:30 am #
Truth,
Not sure what you are saying or if you are being serious.
Just to be clear folks. These pet peeves are fun, with a hint of personal seriousness. I don’t think it is sin to play music while you are praying. It simply irritates me.
Don’t leave your church if something irritates you as I won’t leave mine if something irritates me. As our friend above said, you can’t please everyone.
Nate on 09 May 2008 at 10:43 am #
Michael,
Your comments are over the top, but I believe they bring out some good points. Not long ago I was in a church with a classically accomplished pianist. They used piano music in many elements of the service, including printing a meditation for us to read during the prelude as we prepared for the worship service. Communion was not rushed and would include times of silence, reflective music and prayer. I was able to focus much better on the meditation and the prayers with the right application of music than its complete absence. For me, in this case, it definitely added to the worship and was not a distraction. Music can be powerful and as with anything else can be used effectively or manipulatively.
As for a point of perspective, I have had some of my most worshipful times of prayer in attendance at symphony concerts as I marvel at the creativity and beauty and the Creator. But I came to appreciate that I worship better in different environments than others when as I related to my brother what a worshipful experience I had had at the city’s symphony, and he had difficulty imagining that I was telling him a sincere truth.
While the right music under a prayer can help me focus on the prayer (I believe the pianist can be a participant in the prayer), there are other things that can bother me that seem to regularly happen during prayers. When I started operating the sound board I learned that prayer times are often used to set up for the next service element, and often pastors, musicians, etc. are moving around during this time to get everything in place. To me this sends a hypocritical message, especially to visitors (since they are the most likely to be watching), that the prayer is for everyone who has nothing better to do and is not necessarily the most important thing happening for everyone. I had assumed that I would be praying during the prayer, but at two different churches I was asked to keep my eye on the worship leader while the pastor prayed so he could signal me, plug or unplug a guitar, mute it so that he could tune, etc. To me it seems like since we are there to meet God, all that could wait. While a seamless service is nice, I prefer to see the importance of the prayer time shown through everyone participating (which may include murmurs or unusual sounds from the congregation, or piano music–if the people are vocalizing to participate in the prayer and the pianist is praying through their fingers and are not simply adding a performance element).
I believe prayer can be holistic worship and can engage more than the mind and is not necessarily limited to the medium of words. Both words and music, in the guise of prayer, can be used to manipulate a desired response, or simply as a traditional element in a church performance. To engage in a little over the top discussion, since the words of a prayer can also be used to manipulate, perhaps we should simply sit in silence and allow the Holy Spirit to move since anything we do has the potential to distract. It seems that anything can be taken too far.
People worship in many diverse ways. Some I understand, some are completely foreign to me. I hope that what peeves you is not differences in how people genuinely worship, but the tendency that we have to stray into doing the motions we call worship and the idea that we can construct good worship by assembling all the right motions, which is much easier than changing your heart for worship.
Jonathan Enns on 09 May 2008 at 10:45 am #
Truth,
I definitely would not say that music is “required” to do that, not at all! I believe TRUE worship should expressed in ALL we do: whether singing, praying, playing an instrument, doing a job, etc..
Personally, sometimes I like to get away and go play my guitar and worship God! God gave me talents with which I will praise Him, and I think it is awesome how we can use the diversity of our gifts to praise God!
I would caution calling it is sin to praise God with anything other than singing.
Many instruments are spoken of when talking about worship in the Bible.
“How can the person “playing” be “praying” and this be acceptable to God under the New Covenant?”
Can you walk and pray?
Can you be going on a jog and praying?
Can you, SING, and pray?
I firmly know you can play, and pray!
That being said, a struggling pianist or guitar player who is still learning their instrument may focus more on playing and less on praying…which is why I believe it is smart to get skilled musicians who don’t think about playing, but think about praising their Saviour.
Yes Michael, Pet Peeves are fun.
A pet peeve of mine is “Let’s pray for the food”.
or “Bless them in their travels”, or even, “Help Johnny get Better”.
But thats another discussion….
Barrett on 09 May 2008 at 10:50 am #
Michael,
I can’t say I have a problem with playing during the prayer per se; it is more of the purpose behind the playing. My previous church had the entire worship team (guitars, bass, drums, vocalists, piano, etc) sneak on stage during the closing prayer and start to play softly, building up as the prayer reached the end. Then, as soon as everyone said amen and opened their eyes, it was time to sing the closing song. It really had little to do with setting the mood for the prayer. It was about continuity. The pastor’s intent was to create one seamless event. In his own words to me once, he said that the awkward silence that occurs while people are setting up and nothing else is going on makes him feel like cutting his wrists in agony. In the same way that we know something goes wrong when there is a five second pause of blacked-out screen between commercials or shows, we as Americans get impatient when everyone isn’t prepared to entertain us. We hate stillness. Silence is awkward. People begin to look around when videos aren’t cued up and CD music skips and microphones give feedback. The worst part about it was that we (as I was apart of this worship team) weren’t praying at all. After we got positioned, we’d bow our heads in case anyone was watching, but we’d also sometimes make quiet jokes to each other or wait for the worship leader to give us a quick change.
At my current church, we have a time of quite prayer for preparation. It is one of the most quiet, awkward times in the service. I still get weirded out if it goes too long or if I finish praying quickly. I have some bad habits that I need to be broken of. But overall, I have no problem with music behind prayer, in moderation and done tastefully. It really depends on the heart of the worship team.
A Lover of Truth on 09 May 2008 at 11:19 am #
“I definitely would not say that music is “required” to do that, not at all! I believe TRUE worship should expressed in ALL we do: whether singing, praying, playing an instrument, doing a job, etc..
Personally, sometimes I like to get away and go play my guitar and worship God! God gave me talents with which I will praise Him, and I think it is awesome how we can use the diversity of our gifts to praise God!”
TRUE worship is done by the human spirit directed by God’s Word (John 4:24; Col. 3:17).
Under no circumstances will playing an instrument in worship to God meet those requisites.
Since the above is true,
“Can you walk and pray?
Can you be going on a jog and praying?
Can you, SING, and pray?
I firmly know you can play, and pray!”
First, you are committing the equivocation fallacy in that you equate “walking and jogging” to singing and playing.
Singing, Playing (Psalm 33:3) and Praying (Psalm 32:6) are acts of worship classified in the Bible (Old Testament Psalms in particular), walking and jogging are not acts of “worship” to God.
In ANY case, singing (Eph. 5:19) and praying (Acts 2:42) are authorized acts under New Covenant worship and playing an instrument is NOT authorized.
By the way, if Instrumental Music WERE authorized, why does not ONE New Testament writer and not ONE “church father” write of its use in the early church?
The reason for the silence is loud and clear: it is a Judaistic tenet that was sinful then (as the New Covenant was in effect) and sinful now.
britphil on 09 May 2008 at 11:50 am #
“Hey Michael, we Anglicans don’t do this. Come on in, the water’s fine!
Don’t wade in too deep just yet Michael…
Wonders for Oyara
oh yes we do!!…well some of us Anglicans do…However, I would like to add that we do try to make it as sensitive as possible.
well at when I am leading a service we occasionally do!!
it cannot be any worse than some of the awful piano playing that goes on at the “altar call” at the end of a particuarly evangelsitic sermon which isfar more dangerous and cringe inducing in my book! Let me guess Lisa..given my current rterack record you probably specialise in playing the piano at altar calls!
Don’t worry Lisa I am not sold out “third wave, new revelation” but I do believe that the Holy Spirt can work through creative mediums such as music. I know plenty of pianists/organists though who, by the way they play some hymns and songs are clearly of a different view to me.
I am aware of some pianists and organists and other musicians who have almost lifted me into the throne room of God by the way they have played a song, especially when they match the meaning of the words to the type of tune that is set!
Daniel Eaton on 09 May 2008 at 1:13 pm #
I dislike “invitation music” for the same reason I distrust all the conversions and commitments at a Christian concert. They tend to be emotionally based.
From The Balcony on 09 May 2008 at 1:31 pm #
This morning I was thinking about this post - thinking about my pet peeves with the church, (which are varied) and I decided that it is best to keep those pet peeves between me and God….to strengthen our unity in Christ.
From The Balcony on 09 May 2008 at 1:54 pm #
And Michael - I do understand why it bothers you. I now go to a church where they don’t play under prayer - and there is no emotional invitation. There is something nice about the quiet - a time you can think. On the other hand, there is something magical about letting the music connect you to God - some need that. But just wanted to let you know I understand the beauty of quiet.
Sally on 09 May 2008 at 2:06 pm #
Michael
Seems you’ve struck a “chord” with this peeve…….
pa-dump-dump-ching!
Ellen on 09 May 2008 at 3:09 pm #
So … are you “creating a mood” when you post on a parchment-colored background? Why, yes you are. So, why doesn’t your pastor get to do this (except with audio instead of color)? Honest question.
Here’s an alternate answer.
The musicians are playing music, not background color. If I visit a blog that is playing music in the background, I turn off my speakers.
What really annoys me during prayer is a hardwood platform…and people moving around getting into place during prayer…click, click, click. Much worse than music.
Ben Hind on 09 May 2008 at 5:32 pm #
Speaking as a worship leader (as if that gives me any credit!) it’s hard to know what to do. You’ll always get people who want background music at the end of the sermon and others who don’t… what do we do?!? Mostly we do whatever we decide is best, go with the majority… or just do what the preacher wants. You can’t please everyone!
Also, I’d like to say… I completely agree with Michael
.
- Ben
From The Balcony on 09 May 2008 at 6:33 pm #
It’s interesting that there are so many of us - (worship leaders) on this blog! Good choice for a pet peeve, Michael!
Ed Kratz on 09 May 2008 at 10:29 pm #
CMP,
Do you ever ’set the mood’ during Converse with Scholars or other online discussions if there is a guest or topic that may not generate much audience response or questioning? Maybe a plant with a question or two?
Why not let the churches help stir the pot a bit to generate or intensify the moment? I find it a nice touch myself, and doesn’t distract in any way from the prayer or message.
It seems ironic to me that this would bother you even a little bit. Why not have a plain white background and forgo the fancy graphics on the website, wouldn’t that be a more consistent approach?
Viajero on 10 May 2008 at 12:38 am #
I’ve never posted to Parchment and Pen before but I certainly love reading it!
In regards to the topic at hand, the appropriateness (or not) of background music during a prayer of invitation, I think this is highly comical. Is it any wonder, as the most recent issue of Christianity Today magazine points out, that more and more evangelicals are drifting, if not running, toward liturgical worship styles? In that circle, all of this would be a moot point, because the order of worship, as passed down through the centuries, decides when the music plays, rather than the particular preferences of the pastor and/or congregation.
In my opinion, liturgical worship, which generally does contain many periods of silence, helps one focus on God. The danger of using lots of great music on stage (i.e., the “worship band”, which yes, I used to play in for many years), is that the music or the musicians themselves become the center of attention. How many times have I sat in a church service thinking, “Wow, he can really strum that guitar,” or, yes, I’ll admit it, “Man, that backup vocalist is lookin’ hot today”. The one thing that really caught my attention when I first visited a Roman Catholic church was that the organ was placed up in the balcony at the back part of the church, not in front to be admired by all. When the organ played, you heard the music, but had no idea who was playing or what they were wearing or whatever else. I wonder, have we replaced in our evangelical churches, as the focus of our visual attention, the crucifix for the guitar?
Anyway, I think the writer here on this blog “Truth” gets it wrong by not allowing any instruments at all in worship (since when do verses from the Psalms cease to be relevant in the New Covenant? If Psalm 1 instructs us to meditate on the Word day and night, countless other Psalms instruct us to use instruments to praise God). On the other hand, so often in our modern churches we make the quality of the praise band the veritable measuring stick of how “spiritual” we feel at church. Liturgy does away with all that and simply is what it is…of course, it can be done perfunctorily or reverently, but that’s up to the participant. And certainly no piano plays during the prayer!
scott gray on 10 May 2008 at 12:05 pm #
cmp–
perhaps your piano player is a woman, female type, who is trying to get around that ‘women can’t preach to men’ thing…
Jonathan Enns on 10 May 2008 at 10:16 pm #
I love it when I attend worship at churches where the band is off to the side, (non-elevated)!
I think that our current media driven culture has brainwashed much of our congregations into focusing on the band & “getting into the music” rather than worshiping God. I believe it is the job of the worship leader to re-focus their attention on God, and to continually do that throughout the service!
It is the worship band’s job to fade away, and personally worship WITH the congregation.
Sally on 10 May 2008 at 10:38 pm #
“It is the worship band’s job to fade away, and personally worship WITH the congregation.”
Jonathan - EXACTLY! I heard a quote one time that I really loved and tell our band all the time….we are not worship leaders…we are lead worshippers!
Erik Scherer on 10 May 2008 at 11:48 pm #
I haven’t read all the comments here, but without a doubt, this and many other things in American “churches” borrowed from the world, is manipulative and used to “set a mood” and many “worship leaders” will all but say so when the serve-us for that week is scripted in advance in contradiction to 1 Corinthians 14 and a good number of other passages in the New Testament.
I understand some people’s concern with making issue with things, but the real issue is why we as “churches” that don’t resemble the New Testament very much are in the predicament with that situation and many others like it in the first place. That’s what has to be re-solved.
Yes, the way “men will know” will be by the Love we have for one another, but Love and TRUTH are inextricably linked together by Jesus and the apostles. (I see that verse and those kinds of things “sprinkled over” situations we just don’t want to address [in Real Love, of COURSE!] and it’s a misuse of that verse, I’m certain, when it really amounts to COMPROMISE, which Jesus clearly hates — from Revelation 2,3 and a number of other places.) No, “Love rejoices in the TRUTH” or “/agape/ rejoices in /alethea/” or “the way things REALLY ARE.” It’s not loving to ignore the infiltration of the world and the world’s methods (which James says that kind of “wisdom” is unequivocally “from BELOW” so it’s far deeper — “so to speak”
— that just a “side issue” I would have to say!! ;-)) “The spiritual man DISCERNS all things.” It’s not that there has to be a “thou shall” or “thou shall not” written on every little thing. In fact, the nature of the New Covenant is that God makes us keen to those things that are “playing” (so to speak!) to the FLESH and are NOT of the Spirit, which is hence why James says clearly that the “wisdom of the world is from BELOW.”
Read George Barna’s new book “Pagan Christianity” for a discussion of this and many other things plaguing the “church” today.
-es