I have a confession to make: I hate the rock and roll
worship music scene. I’ve never been a
big fan. Sometimes I want to blame it on
the fact that I’m from Kansas and we have a stereotypical ‘folksy’ feel to the
things we do in that part of the country, but I can’t be so sure. Granted, I know that’s a blanket statement
and it’s far from accurate, but when it comes to worship music I think it’s
safe to say the more raw and acoustic, the better.
It seems that every time I go to a mega-type church I get
really frustrated with worship. I, for
one, love to be up there playing, so when I’m not, I might have to admit that
I’m a little torn. I like to make music
with not just my voice, but my hands.
When I have an opportunity to create music with the ‘wire and the void
of the wood’… I’ll jump at the chance.
So in going to church up here in Michigan, it’s been rough.
As we all know, the birthplace (so-to-speak) for ‘rock and
roll’ and definitely for Motown was the infamous streets of Detroit,
Michigan. I’m like 1 ½ hours from
Detroit, so it’s fair to say that the influence has traveled this far
north. The spirit of rock and roll is
contagious and has infiltrated the church here, especially at Cross
Current. The first few weeks up here I
had a rough time dealing with this when I went to church services. I kept thinking, “what a bunch of crazy old
guys. They’re up there trying to reminisce
on the good ‘ole days of playing guitar and blah, blah, blah…” Nevermind the fact that my own jealousy was
screaming. I really wish that I was
capable of playing such amazing guitar licks, but unfortunately, I’m not.
I like the simple strum of an acoustic worship set… because it’s
easy to play.
But it’s funny how things grow on you. I’ve been trying to wrap my head around being
okay with listening to rockin’ worship tunes, yet I’ve found myself also
struggling with it (obviously). The
pastor and I have talked a few times about it and he’s always been really open
with what I think about worship. He’s
not opposed to it, but he gently reminds me and my pride that, well, there isn’t
just one way to sing worship songs.
He reminded me that we’re in the part of America where the
culture thrives on rock and roll music.
It’s as simple as surfing through the radio stations to understand that
much. Everything is either rock and roll
or Motown. Shoot – they even have a
trombone player in the worship band at Cross Current! Perhaps I’ll join him up there one day, who
knows.
And this past Sunday morning – of all Sunday mornings – I found
myself consumed with such joy at the worship scene there. I mean I was CONSUMED with peace. I’ve never felt it like I felt it on Sunday;
that this particular style of worship was completely appropriate. I looked up on stage and saw one of the
guitarists wailin’ on his guitar during one of the instrumental breaks in the
worship song.
He was worshipping as his fingers shredded the neck of his
guitar with an effortless strain of notes.
Again, envy singed my soul because I desire to see my
fingers move with that much speed… but I was also consumed with tears. It’s funny how the Church is absorbed into
culture and how culture is absorbed into the Church. I know many people oppose the very thought of
that idea, but I think it’s okay. To me
it’s no different than Jesus becoming human… and humans becoming like Jesus.
It’s Incarnational ministry – and it’s totally
Biblical.
And so this Sunday morning I found myself pumping my fist in
the air as I was praising Jesus… with tears running down my cheeks. I never in my life would have thought I would
find myself in that situation, but… I did.
How do you feel about different worship styles in church
services? How does God show up in
both? And do you really think that rock
and roll is satanic?
