It’s been fascinating to visit other churches throughout the world and witness the joy and enthusiasm with which they worship. A lot of these churches request that we perform a worship song or two during their services and the contrast between us and them is remarkable. Often times, the congregation will go from jubilantly singing and dancing to sitting with a blank stare as we sing a somber tune. I don’t believe any of us are to blame for the dismal atmosphere our songs create; it’s simply the canon we’ve been given in the Western world, specifically the Caucasian portion of the Western world. (The predominantly African-American churches in the States worship with such joy and passion! I look forward to the day when our churches are less racially segregated.) There’s something in a lot of the Western Christian music that…well…doesn’t make one want to dance. There’s a pining in the songs, a yearning for an ever-distant God. The lyrics can be right on point with such statements as “You’re a Good, Good Father,” but the intonation conveys a sorrow rather than a joy about that reality. Other songs such as Ellis’ “Everything’s Alright” express a desire for reassurance that everything is all right coupled with a sadness about that reality being true. It’s clear from Scripture that sorrow is not a fruit of the Spirit, but Joy is! As it says in Nehemiah 8:10, “Do not sorrow, for the joy of the Lord is your strength.” It frustrates me that we as a Church continue to remain oblivious to the subtle expressions of sadness with which we worship. I don’t experience God’s Presence in states of gloominess. Upon hearing the worship music, I get concerned that the Church is immersed in hidden sin or struggling with immense feelings of guilt and shame, unaware of our identity as conquerors in Christ, as Children of God, as vessels for the Holy Spirit. I don’t know when this shift will come in the music from sorrow to joy but I do believe a great transformation will occur in the Church when it does. I see it germinating with Bethel Music’s recent rendition of the traditional American gospel song “Ain’t No Grave.” Until then, it’s nothing but Fred Hammond, Kirk Franklin, and Byron Cage for me (among other jovial African-American gospel artists)! Let’s take these churches across the world higher into deeper and even more ecstatic worship when we visit! Let’s “raise the vibe,” Church, and watch any feelings of guilt, shame, or sorrow get transmuted into effulgent Light and Love as we dance and sing joyously for our Savior!
