It amazes me how controversial this topic has become in our churches, but allow me to unpack five thoughts over the next few days regarding church music.
1. Surveys show that most people like good music.
Okay, there isn't actually any survey that says that, but judging by how society soaks in music, it's a pretty safe bet that most folks like music in one form or another. What's more is that I believe most people actually like good music.
I define good music as music that is performed well and has good lyrics. In my 17 year radio career, I have heard my share of bad performances and bad lyrics. Perhaps in your church you have heard similar, especially on the performance side. (More on lyrics in another point.)
Few things are worse in a church worship service than sitting through four or five minutes of someone screeching out a song about Jesus. Put someone on stage who cannot sing well, and you can bring the service to a halt, and not for good reasons.
Now, it's at this point that someone will note that God loves anyone who lifts a joyful noise in worship. That is true. God can move in the most adverse circumstances. But, why put up a wall where you don't need to have one?
Church leaders need to have the courage to tell people that their song (or their singing) doesn't match what the leadership is looking for. You can do this in very tactful and constructive ways, so you don't destroy someone. A friend who used to be the worship pastor at a local church had a requirement that anyone who wanted to sing a song needed to audition the song for approval. The church I attend auditions singers and musicians to be able to find the best. These are both great techniques to be sure you have good sounding worship.
An addtional thought here.... Anytime you have to tell someone they aren't good enough, have the courage to tell them why. Give some constructive criticism, and let them know how they can improve. Probably the best way to do this is by recording the audition, then going back through it with the singer, coaching them on how to improve. When a person can hear what you're saying, they will be more receptive.
So, what do you do if the talent pool is shallow in your church? Well, you make the most out of what you have. A lot of churches have the traditional "special" right before the preaching or during the offering. Maybe that needs to be eliminated. I don't know what will work for your situation, but the point is that you should be open to different approaches for special singing.
Ultimately, the worship team should do its best to honor the Almighty with the best they can offer.
2. Lyrics matter.
A few years ago I was introduced to a new song during a worship service that peaked my curiousity...and not in a good way. The praise team was covering a song by a well-known worship pastor.
There wasn't anything really wrong with the performance, but the lyrics can only be described as dreadfully thin. And, by thin I mean that there may have been, at most, a dozen words to the three minute song. You read that right. So, imagine in your mind these few words constantly being repeated for that length of time.
What made the song so terrible wasn't the repeated lyrics (more on this tomorrow). Instead, it was what the lyrics said ... absolutely nothing, or at least nothing the average person would understand. They were built around a Bible verse, but the wording was something that most people wouldn't get. The lyrics literally killed the song.
The songs you choose for church worship should say something. They should have some meaning. They should be something those singing can understand, they should make sense, and they should honor God.
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