As a musician, we have the ability to create moments. The way that musical notes interact with each other creates different sounds, triggering different emotions. There are chords that sound "happy" and others that sound "sad" (or at least this is how I explain it to young guitar students). It would be really easy for me to geek out on the music theory side of things, going on and on about the different progressions that create different emotions, but I'll spare you.
A pastor on staff at Beaverton Foursquare recently went to a concert at the Moda Center. Listening to his description of the environment and how the people were engaged and responding to the music, it sounded an awful lot like ... church worship. Except they were responding to musical moments rather than Jesus.This got me thinking through our approach to worship and the moments that we create through music. To be honest, I struggled with this idea — that people could be responding physically (raising of hands, clapping, etc.) to an emotion created by music and production. It made me want to strip away everything from stage, so that there would be no room for us to draw only an emotional response from the congregation. As I continued to pray about what I was feeling, I felt a peace wash over me. I had the realization that it is not within my control whether or not a person is responding to the great things God has done or to a creative musical moment.
If you look back in biblical history, there are so many different accounts of God being worshiped by his people through music. There are many accounts of response from His people that would be considered an "emotional response." God created music. He also created emotions, happiness, sadness. The music that David played on the harp was filled with emotion but also born in the truth of who God is. It was filled with notes, words and melodies that created moods, that allowed for emotions to come fourth as he led worship and prayed to God. As our worship team spends time in prayer and devotion with one another in rehearsals, it is evident that as we pray and read scripture together, the Holy Spirit is the one inspiring us to worship in truth — not just emotion.
Many hours go into the preparation of the worship for the weekend services. We spend a lot of time working on the technical things, ranging from song introductions and transitions, to correct lyrics on the screen (shout out to our killer media team). We put effort and energy into creating moments that inspire people to worship our creator through music and truth. We create space in a song that allows our hearts to be still, yet also enter into moments that inspire a desire to shout the name of Jesus. In the midst of all the framework we build, there have been times where our framework just doesn't feel quite right in the moment — where the Holy Spirit blows us in a different direction, inspiring us to adapt as a team and watch the spirit work. Though we practice and prepare to help craft a worship experience, our creativity and preparation —as well as the in-the-moment inspiration— is ultimately guided by God.
It has been a journey this last week recognizing the gift of music and creativity that God has given us. God calls us to worship him with our whole being: heart, mind, soul, strength. This includes emotion! We have the opportunity to create moments and space in worship where all of these things have room to be expressed in the presence of God's fullness and truth. As leaders we have the opportunity to listen to and follow His direction as we meet with him. I pray that as a community of believers we utilize and appreciate the creativity God has blessed us with. I pray we are able to engage those who will encounter God for the first time, as well as provide opportunity for our church family to corporately lift the name of Jesus with one voice. I am blessed to be a part of a team that is sensitive to the leading of the Holy Spirit. As leaders we strive and contend for our times of response to be born out of a heart of understanding truth, seeking the Lord's presence and expressing gratitude, not just the emotional response to the creativity of worship.
Thanks for reading,
Ryan Pickrel,
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