Naomi's Notes - 02/03/08
- "I like the new hymns we've been singing."
- "We're singing too many songs that nobody knows. Give me Fanny Crosby."
- "I have had a real sense of God's presence lately."
- "Worship feels cold and formal to me - too liturgical."
- "[Our church] is too casual - too touchy, feely. What's with all these choruses?"
- "When are we going to start singing more choruses?"
- "I love the sense of reverence we have in worship, especially the times of silence before prayer."
- "The spaces of silence in worship make me bored and uncomfortable."
- "I'd like to hear more classical music in worship."
- "Do you think we could buy a set of drums?"
Sound a little like Immanuel over the past decade or two? Actually, the above list is from Terry York's introduction to his fascinating book, America's Worship Wars. He quotes from a prominent pastor's column in the newsletter of a moderate church in Texas. It's a list of actual comments made to that pastor by church members during a two-week period alone.
These kinds of comments frequently come to me from a wide variety of church members. (Generally that's a good thing, since I always welcome thoughtful feedback.) Often the comments are prefaced with: "A lot of people are saying......" Sometimes the comments are impassioned. The challenge is to acknowledge differing passions.
For years--not just at Immanuel--I've often sensed disbelief at my explanation that every conversation or worship survey or evaluation from our congregation yields comments "from here to there" (as I've gestured with hands far apart) about our worship services. But it's true--especially at Immanuel, since we have such a diverse congregation with differing worship backgrounds.
There is some comfort, I suppose, in knowing that we definitely are not alone in our struggles with worship issues. "Worship wars" are quite common, not just in America. Thankfully, Immanuel has never experienced worship war--only a few minor skirmishes here and there as we've sorted out what's important and made intentional choices about the worship needs of our congregation.
As long as we keep our main focus on what God desires from our worship rather than our (diverse) needs and wants, we will always be able to worship lovingly with our brothers and sisters in Christ.
See you in worship this Sunday -
Naomi