Today I helped lead worship at church. Kind of a more acoustic weekend. Not totally sure what that means..... I know I had 2 keyboards, 3 pedals, 14 knobs, music all over the place, mic, and really high heels that should never be worn when standing at a keyboard. So if acoustic means simple...not so much. Anyway.. the intention was for a more simplistic feel, and more reflective. Sometimes people feel like things are overproduced and so we tried to be simple. Smaller drum kit, no electric guitar, fewer vocals...that type of thing. So... for some reason it just felt flat to me.
So once again, I think to myself. What's the difference between when it works and doesn't work. Same players, same people picking the songs, same congregation, same heart behind it. We want God to lifted up, we want people to connect with God. We desperately want people to connect with God. And just because it felt flat to me.... doesn't mean it felt flat to everyone else but as I looked out at the congregation i was just overwhelmed with the thought..."Wow, we really missed it this week." Lots of people looking up at the platform with faces that said..."Huh?" Rather than looking at God saying...."Wow!"
I could analyze and come up with a few things that could have been changed, but I just wonder what is it that inhibits the Spirit from moving people. And is that really what IT is. Is it song choice? Is it lighting? Is it vocal ability or lack their of? Is it no electric guitar? Is it the last week of summer? Is it the temperature of the sanctuary? Was I flat first that then translated to the congregation? I tend to think that perhaps the load I was carrying into the service impacted how I percieved the reaction of the congregation.
I could be totally off in my perception. I hope that the services did minister to people. I hope the scriptures, or songs, or sermon, or power point or something moved someone. I am searching for the formula which I know is not available. God will accomplish what He wants to through our offering. I think it is our job to be available for Him to use. I just wish every week would be a wow week where we just knew that we had connected with the Creator of the Universe.
What makes the difference for you?
Sunday, August 24, 2008
REALLY...WHAT'S THE DIFFERENCE
Posted by Jill at 4:50 PM
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6 comments:
Hi Jill!
This shows as Erika posting but it's actually Rhett.
I thoroughly enjoyed the 9 this morning. There was something very satisfying about hearing the voices as the "lead instrument." I actually felt MORE able to connect because of it.
The Scripture reading was appreciated as well - kind of a reminder that you aren't "just" players of instruments or singers; you're people who read and need the Word, too.
To your point: If the desire was to create a different sound - in this case quieter and more contemplative - then isn't it a bit incongruous to expect the congregation to display the same emotions they would when it's "up?"
I used to joke with a keyboard player many moons ago who carried a 1000-watt PA for his amp...just because that guy over there jumped, it doesn't mean you moved him. :-)
Then again, it could just be that you didn't have enough drums onstage. 'Cuz you know, without drums you're in a folk band. Deep theology, there.
Just know that from my perspective, you did your job and did it well.
I loved the scaled-down feel. I thought Aaron was outstanding on the smaller kit, and I loved Ben's picking on the guitar. Sometimes the music overwhelms the vocals, but this really allowed you and Tyler to shine. It was awesome for me.
BTW, my folks (headed back to Anchorage now) love your voice. They have good taste.
I really enjoyed the music this weekend (I was at the 11). The stage looked different and the setting was more intimate. I liked how you all participated in the Scripture reading. Your voices and instruments sounded terrific. The songs were meaningful. And yet, I was most likely contributing to the sea of faces making you feel as though you "missed it". Internal conflicts and stress, along with a reserved personality, caused a barrier to expressing how appreciative I actually was and how moved I actually was. Sometimes, I simply listened and made like a sponge...soaking it up.
Did it feel flat to you because of what you perceived from the congregation? Don't be discouraged or base too much on what you see reflected back to you on the stage. I doubt I was alone in my reaction/involvement.
Bottom line: you ministered.
Elaine
http://www.heasley.net/eblog/
Jill,
This weekend I was at a chapel. Lame piano player, one lead guy who was buried in lyric. no power point, no lighting, no amplification. I have no point to this comment cuz it was pretty flat.
:)
Jay
I loved it.
ok, i'm a day late and a dollar short to be commenting on this, but like i said the other day, i just discovered your blog. so, i don't even remember this particular sunday, and it was before i knew you anyway...BUT, i still have an opinion. haha
bottom line, don't worry about what the congregation does or doesn't get out of it...that's really not your responsibility. that's the Holy Spirit's job. Your job always has been and always will be to seek Him when preparing, be real, give what you can and leave the rest in His Hands. Our job as a congregation is to come with an open heart to commune with God and be open to what He has for us.
I've heard you say more than once in the short time I've known you, "even the rocks are praising Him". No matter how you feel about the worship service, God can and will use it in the lives of the people He has brought to worship Him on any given day. Remember, sometimes the miracle is in the ear of the hearer, not the mouth of the speaker...
Besides, "here's the deal", you're always awesome...just my humble opinion. :o)
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