By Chuck Lawless
A few weeks ago, I posted findings on common worship distractions. Since that time, some readers have questioned me more specifically about our findings regarding the musical component of worship. So, the goal in this post is to respond to that request.
Let me be honest about my qualifications up front, though: I am not a musician or singer; I am a church consultant only reporting what our teams have found in more than 15 years of consulting. It is not my intent to be judgmental or offensive. I have utmost respect for those who lead us in worship. With those caveats in mind, here are ten distractions we’ve encountered in the music element of worship.
- Incomprehensible choir or praise team words – I start with this distraction (a repeat from the previous post) simply because we face this issue so often. The sound system may be poor, the singers may not enunciate well, or the music may drown out the lyrics – but in any case, we miss the message while straining to understand the words.
- Unsmiling faces leading worship – Some solemn hymns may not necessitate smiles, but something is lacking in singing about the joy of the Lord when the singer’s facial expression suggests something different. We have seen entire praise teams show little expression as they lead worship.
- Poor musicians or singers – I hesitate to include this distraction because I realize the level of talent varies by congregation. Nor do I want to suggest that only the most talented musicians or singers should be permitted to lead worship. I’m simply stating what we’ve experienced: sometimes the musical component of worship lacks quality.
- Unprepared singers – Here, level of talent is not the issue; lack of preparation instead appears to be the problem. Sometimes it seems – right or wrong – as if no one practiced this component of the worship service. In fact, we’ve occasionally heard it stated publicly: “Please pray for me before I sing today because I really didn’t have time to get ready for singing.”
- “Preachy” music directors – Some folks leading worship do a great job of succinctly and effectively speaking between songs. Others, though, seem to use interludes to preach a sermon in preparation for the sermon still to come. Too much talking may actually disrupt the worship more than facilitate it.
- Songs disconnected from the sermon topic – It seems strange, for example, when the sermon series is about family but none of the song selections moves in that direction. On the other hand, worship is often facilitated – and the teachings of that service’s content are easier to recall – when the musical selections and the sermon content focus in a single direction.
- Difficult songs to sing – Again, I am not a singer, but I do know when I’m struggling to sing a particular song. Some of our more gifted consulting team members are singers, and they at times question song selections on the “singability” of the song. What works for the gifted singer doesn’t always work for the typical person in the pew.
- Weak use of media for lyrics – This distraction is a corollary to the previous one. Lyrics on the screen are most often helpful. If, though, the phrase and sentence breaks on the screen don’t match the breaks in the singing, the worshipper may still struggle with knowing how to sing the song. Lyrics on the screen do not generally help worship participants learn the melody.
- Poorly done blended style – Anecdotally, we are seeing more churches move to a blended style of worship rather than offer multiple distinct styles of worship. That approach is not bad, but it becomes problematic when the worship leaders are strong in one style but weak in the other. Often, that difference is noticeable.
- Introducing new songs without teaching them – Numerous good songwriters are producing strong worship music today. Introducing new songs to a church, however, requires intentionality that often seems lacking. Many of us welcome a worship leader’s taking the time to help us actually learn the song as a congregation.
What other distractions regarding worship music have you seen?
Chuck Lawless currently serves as Professor of Evangelism and Missions and Dean of Graduate Studies at Southeastern Seminary. You can connect with Dr. Lawless on both Twitter and Facebook.
Posted on January 8, 2015
Dr. Chuck Lawless is a leading expert in spiritual consultation, discipleship and mentoring. As a former pastor, he understands the challenges ministry presents and works with Church Answers to provide advice and counsel for church leaders.
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147 Comments
My “hobby horse”? Referring to the music as “worship” as though the rest of the “worship service” was in a different category.
Wow! Since reading what’s wrong with our church music, I think I’m going to get out of the church music ministry, get out a pair of my old ragged jeans, cut some more holes in them, get an old dirty t-shirt, a pair of flip-flops, and start preaching on TV!!
I am bothered by songs chosen for congregational singing that were originally recorded by soloists and have a lot of vocal ornamentation in them. Some songs simply weren’t intended for group singing without a lot of rehearsal. Even worse is when only the words are projected without musical notation. Those solo songs with all the complexity are not easy to pick up just by listening. I just end up giving up and not singing. If I am a first-time visitor at a church, my experience is lessened if I am effectively shut out of participating in the music because of the song choices or the way in which they are presented.
Thanks, Linda.
I agree and as a Worship Pastor always strive to remove the distractions, or as I call them the stones (see Isaiah 62:10). I will say that as one who is worshiping, a distraction for me (from the stage prospective) as well as many that I have discussed it with are the people around you. I am not talking about raising hands, dancing, clapping, etc. I would say that most often I see this in the sour faces and all around unwillingness to engage in worship. There is nothing quite as distracting and discouraging as people not being willing to worship. We distract others in worship when we choose not to participate. I understand there are people who do not like to sing, but that does not mean you have to look distressed with everything that is going on.
Good thoughts, Aaron. Thanks.
The only thing I want to add is an improper song. By that I mean on the Sunday after a tragedy, put the cheerful, happy songs away. Too many times the songs were planned ahead of time and were used even though the congregation was in shock.
Thought provoking comment, Mark. Thanks.
The big turnoff for me is the cool hip worship leader in his tight jeans and a striped shirt hanging out.
Then add the high chair and the music stand for the preacher who is the cool hip wannabe. .. no wonder I went back to a liturgical church where everyone wears robes.
There is something to be said for the priest in the robe and the appropriately colored stole. The only time it is different is the black cassock on Good Friday.
Thanks, Vernon.
I’m with ya on that one, in a BIG way, Vernon 🙂
Thanks!
Mark Beecher
I keyed in to numbers 2, 7, 8, and 10 immediately. I’ve been on a praise team/choir and have some experience, although I’m no expert. I confess up front that I realized at one point I was doing something within my role as a member of the choir which was potentially distracting to our congregation and stopped. I’m glad no one else had to point it out to me.
This may be “out there” and it could just be me. I am quite averse to hearing applause after a song. Someone remarked to me when I shared this that it was part of the worship because it was meant to be for God. But in our church, where there is a lot of sound, lighting (which often moves around the room or blinks on and off) and other technical elements happening during the music, it seems more like a concert. Applause seems to add to that.
In parting, I want to add that we had a particular worship pastor who used to truly engage our congregation in worship by standing up from the piano/keyboard with his mic or without it spend some time up front encouraging people to engage in worship. It was not distracting in the way he did it; on the contrary, he became a beloved member of our congregation who was quite missed long after he was gone.
Thanks for taking the time to write, Paula.
I’m taken aback by the comments regarding distorted faces, or movement being a distraction. Even as a classically trained singer you can not be completely still and sing. Your body has to breath, move and emote. Depending upon the vocal pedagogy creating space may mean big open mouths, and grimaces. If you are singing worship that is jazzy many intonations require certain types of facial expressions… that color the sound. Worship leaders need to be free, so that the congregation receives their musical offering in freedom. I’m all for order, and decorum when it does not become bondage or condemnation. There should be a balance of all things, that allows God to freely move in the atmosphere.
Good points, Lyric. Thanks.
Thank you for that explanation, it makes me a bit upset when one gets accused of rendering a performance instead of leading worship, the Lord gave us the ability to move, feel and express, as long of course if it’s done to His glory and to love, lead and edify others.
Thanks!
Volume will always be a distraction for me. I’m a musician. I’ve played in a lot bars and other clubs. There is no reason for the worship leaders to think they need concert level volume. If one were to think of participatory worship music as a sing a long rather than a performance perhaps some of that could be solved and the church I attend has a great band and they’re terrific to listen to but if I can’t even hear myself sing, what’s the point of singing at all?
Appreciate your input, Andy.
I am a Full-Time Musician, myself, Andy, and I couldn’t agree with you more!
Thank You!
Mark Beecher
I, too do not appreciate loud conversation during the musical prelude. I have a problem with onscreen lyrics which do not include the notes. I realize not everyone reads music but it takes me several verses to catch on to the melody if the notes are not present.
Thanks, Barb.
A team member (not leader) who is always trying to look at others to correct them during worship. I just wonder…at which part of the service will they sing their own part and truly engage in worship instead of making it look like they are up there to keep everyone in tune.
Thanks, Tammy, for your thoughts.