AUDIO
MUSIC IS THE GREAT UNIFIER : WHY WE STRIVE TO DO BETTER | Bill Gibson
This isn ’ t a technical article about audio ministry . It is an article about the importance of doing what we do at our highest level , which varies from person to person , but that doesn ’ t absolve us from making the effort .
Church music is an interesting phenomenon . Some churches only allow choir music , other churches believe that drums and electric guitars are , well … not of God . Most modern churches embrace a modern worship band format with singers , keyboard players , guitarists , drummers , percussionists , horns , strings , and so on . Motivations for the types of music that can be used in any particular church are typically quite pure and founded on tradition . This isn ’ t a conversation about who ’ s right or who ’ s wrong ; it ’ s just a conversation about the power of music .
about the heart behind the singing . However , in a music team setting , I would argue that striving to do all things with skill is incredibly important .
NOT ABOUT THE SHOW I am not contending that a worship experience is anything like a show . When band members call too much attention to themselves , they can detract from the attention that the church should be giving to the Lord . We walk a fine line in the worship community . Once ego and selfaggrandization enter the scene , things can go south quickly . It ’ s always extremely important to keep everything in perspective . It is , after all , about worshiping God .
None of what we do should be about seeking worship for ourselves . Long solos and divaessque performances can leave church members wondering what to do — their focus can withdraw from the Lord and be redirected to the performer . Am I arguing against skillful delivery and virtuosity ? Not a chance . However , in the context of a church worship service , all eyes must be drawn to the Lord . If a soloist or singer is focused on God , the congregation ’ s attention will be drawn to Him . If the soloist or singer ’ s attention is all inward , that ’ s where the attention of all in the room will be drawn . That ’ s quite a responsibility for all music and technical team members because we all need to keep our eyes on the Lord so that every worshipper
ISN ’ T IT ALL ABOUT In a couple of my church experiences , there ’ s been a tendency for some to downplay the importance of striving for excellence . The rationalization for this mindset is that worship music is all about the heart of the worshiper . I believe this is very true for the congregation . It doesn ’ t matter how skillfully or unskillfully the congregant worships the Lord . In fact , it ’ s our job on the music and technical teams to present worship in a way that all congregants are inspired to open their hearts and voices in worship . For the congregation , it ’ s definitely all
Whether you ’ re the lead singer or the sound operator , always keep your focus on bringing glory to God .