Friday, March 07, 2003

Mini-rant

Are complaints about music style valid in a worship setting?

The fact is that worship has nothing to do with music--music is just a tool for worship (one of many, most of which are neglected). Worship is a person expressing their passion/gratitude to God. But since it is about passion and expression, should not the medium express the person's soul? I’m not saying that every song must pass some sort of "will the masses like it" litmus test, but if a segment of the congregation is consistently not being led into the presence of God, then maybe the worship team needs to rethink--especially in a context where attendance is required and options are few.

Of course, there must be balance. In over ten years of worship leading I have heard more than my fair share of complaints--usually from the same people and usually about the "flavor of the month"--too loud, too soft, too fast, too slow, too many new songs, too many old songs, ... many of the complaints were about personal preference, but even then, since the purpose is leading people into God's presence, and since people are persons (duh), their personal preferences matter because persons matter. Personal preference is not everything, but it is something, and must not be discounted out of hand.

Bottom line? Valid, yes. Central, NO! Not to harp on a "duh" answer, but God is central, yes?

Thursday, March 06, 2003

Comments in respose to ianua's blog on the Emergent Convention

I was an isolated soul--though I sat in the midst of it all: front row, back section, where I could see the passion of the mohawked dancer--thanks for dancing, whoever you are.

Anyhow, it wasn't until Friday night that I finally went to the art table I had been staring at since Wednesday. Somehow, drawing my "stick-it-up-on-the-frig" picture was freeing. Kinda connected me a bit. Then I walked around, saw the clay table--sad that I did not see it earlier--went to the prayer space, the chill room, and talked to a few folks.

Despite the "disconnect" there was still a connection--the worship was almost touchable--eyes, ears, nose, and mouth had the chance to worship like never before.

Glad I was there...

One question I came away with: "What's holding me back?"

Tuesday, March 04, 2003

To all my friends and acqaintances, I now admit that I am an introvert. If you want to learn how to deal with this and be nice to me : ) see

Caring for Your Introvert
The habits and needs of a little-understood group

If you don't want to be nice to me, shame on you...

Thanks to Jordon Cooper for the link.


Now for today's profundity (not like there's one everyday, but whatever...)

Mikey's Thot for the Day:
What if there were no hypothetical questions?

From http://www.MikeysFunnies.com

Monday, March 03, 2003

Initial responses to the Emergent Convention

- cool art
- lots more questions than answers
- tons to think about
- key idea: find out how my local faith community really wants to do church and find a way to do that
- question everything
- trust God
- risk
Not sure whether this one is too funny or too gross for words...

From the Wolffiles:

Dead Man Sparkling
Turn Cremated Loved Ones Into Jewelry and Other Keepsakes
By Buck Wolf

LifeGem — a company that turns the ashes of your late loved ones into diamonds.

Sunday, March 02, 2003

So much for extensive blogging from the DSL. With a meeting that went too long, a YAM eNews edition that took too long, and a couple of great conversations about spiritual stuff, blogging will just have to wait. Funny, how one feels one must apologize for having a face to face life...odd.