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Disrespect during communion

I'm angry.

I'm tired of people tromping all over communion time like it's not important. It's become another ritual that we do each week. We make our way up the aisle and gulp down the elements without really thinking about what it all means. I'm so tired of people disrespecting it.

I don't think most realize what they're doing. But I find myself super sensitive to the people around me. Those that look at me funny when I don't jump in line right away, because I choose to take a few moments in my seat to pray, reflect, and prepare. People that talk and visit and whisper as they wait in line.

I suppose for some, communion isn't a big deal. It's just something we do on Sunday morning. For me, it's incredibly important, and when those around me start whispering while I'm trying to pray, it's really disruptive.

One Sunday during communion, a woman interrupted my quiet time to compliment me on my dress. I appreciated the sentiment, but the timing was terrible.

Please, people. Communion is not social hour. Be silent and reverent, if for nothing else than out of respect for those who desperately need those few blessed moments of silence and reflection.
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Remember the great sacrifice our Savior made for us and how communion honors that sacrifice.

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American Idol Worship

I am not a fan of American Idol.

One day while watching a worship service at home, I noticed something. A female vocalist began a song. As I listened, I noticed how hard she was pushing. She sang from her chest and as she crescendoed through pitches, she began to shout. And drift off pitch. Her pitch was flat for the rest of the song.

It was hard to listen after that.

As a vocalist, I understand the pressure to “sound” a certain way. We hear singers on the radio belting from their chest voice. As a classically trained vocalist, I struggled for years because my voice didn’t sound like those “cool” singers. And sometimes, that sound is cool. Done well, it can be extremely powerful.

But sometimes, it just doesn’t need to be done. In this particular song, I believe a softer volume and more focused tone would have been perfect. Once the shouting began, I wanted to mute the T.V. When this type of singing occurs in worship, it makes me think of American Idol. And I really hate American Idol.

Singers, let’s stop trying to sound like someone else. Stop pushing so hard. Breathe properly, focus on your pitch, and offer your absolute best in worship.

Question: Am I being harsh? What are your thoughts on these types of vocals in worship?

 

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The worship social hour

Can I get something off my chest?

I’m trying really hard to work through my worship issues. I really am. I’m trying to acknowledge when something is my issue rather than placing blame on someone else. But sometimes, I don’t think it’s my issue. Let me share a story from last month.

The Sunday before Christmas, Drew and I took a trip to the United Methodist Church in downtown Tallahassee. There’s just something about Christmas carols on a pipe organ, and it’s become a tradition for us to find a church with one during the Christmas season. We settled into the balcony and enjoyed the view looking down at the 100 year old sanctuary. As a Bach prelude boomed out of the pipes, I closed my eyes and relished in the music of my favorite time of year.

As the service began, my attention was drawn to two women sitting a few rows in front of us. They whispered back and forth to each other. They continued all the way through the offertory, a beautiful organ and flute duet. This struck me as slightly rude, but I closed my eyes and tried to shut them out, focusing on the melody of The Coventry Carol (one of my favorites). Every time I opened my eyes, they were still whispering. I gritted my teeth, growing more annoyed with each passing minute.

I thought for sure they would stop when the offertory did. No luck. The whispering continued into the sermon, all the way to the end. I was stunned… and greatly frustrated.

I don’t think I’m too off base saying that this is incredibly rude and disruptive; rude to the people who have worked to put the service together, and disruptive to everyone around you.

I watch while people come to worship and greet neighbors during the music. They have a conversation behind someone deep in worship, or someone who is trying to be. If you politely ask them to be quiet, you’re often seen as the rude one.

Some people might think it’s okay to talk during the music. It’s not. Even if it’s an offertory or something you’re not actively participating in, it’s still an act of worship. And you’re tromping all over that person’s beautiful gift to God.

Don’t even get me started on whispering during THE ENTIRE SERMON.

C’mon, people. Yes, there is a social aspect to church, but that shouldn’t take place during the service. Don’t disrupt someone else’s worship time.

Worship should be sacred and holy. Let’s treat it as such, and start by being considerate of those around us.

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Being led by the Spirit can harm worship

Being led by the Holy Spirit seems like it would be a good thing, especially when leading worship. Being open to the Holy Spirit’s leading is something we’re called to.

But I am beginning to wonder if this “creative liberty” is harming worship more than helping.

Years ago, when a worship leader went “off script” in my worship experience, I found it slightly refreshing. “Ah,” I’d think. “He/she isn’t letting the Holy Spirit be boxed in. They’re allowing the Spirit to move.”

Now, it just annoys me.

When worship leaders start leading a song that’s off script, it can make for a really awkward situation, for several people.

If the band doesn’t know what you’re about to lead, how are they going to follow along? Sure, you might have a few really talented musicians who can jump on in and improv with you, but if they’re anything like me, not so much. I have got to have music in front of me, or my guitar ain’t making any chords. I am just not that good. So, instead of playing along, the band stands there, waiting for the worship leader to wrap it up.

And the poor person doing the slides. Oh, that poor person. I pity them the most. I have done that job. There’s nothing worse than 50 heads whipping around, giving you the evil eye because there are no words, or the wrong words on screen. My husband, the sound tech, wanted to make a sign that said, “NOT MY FAULT!” to flash when everyone turned to look at him. When the road map is changed or a new song added without any notice given to this person controlling the slides, what are they supposed to do? Read the worship leader’s mind? Usually this person is a nervous volunteer, and when people start staring at you because the slides aren’t right, it’s hard to think under pressure. Being led by the Spirit is not a worshipful experience for that poor person behind the computer screen. (Let me insert here a huge thank you to all those volunteers who control the slides during worship. Yours is a noble task.)

Then we have the person out in the audience who is relying on the words on screen. Suddenly, they’re now left on their own. Sure, some are comfortable ad libbing or closing their eyes and getting lost in the moment, but then there are others who are just standing there, wondering what to do. Even if it’s a “well known” song or hymn, I don’t think it should be casually thrown in. My very wise husband made a very wise comment recently.

Assuming that everyone knows the song you’re leading is dangerous. There could be that newcomer who has never heard it, and now they’re completely left out.

Some creative liberty is okay in a song, like deciding to repeat a chorus an extra time. But to completely switch gears and throw in a new song in the middle of the set doesn’t seem like a good idea to me. I believe in being open to the Holy Spirit’s guidance, but as a worship leader, I am a stick to the script kinda gal. Maybe I’m just boring. What do you think? Do you like when worship leaders are led by the Spirit? Or does it just leave you annoyed?