moves how He wants !
I believe that a slammin ’, high production , concert that showcases outstanding musical abilities can be done in a way that is worshipful to God . I also believe that a simple campfire singalong can be done in a way that ’ s worshipful to God . But , this side of eternity , I assume that neither is pure worship - totally free of any idolatry . I think it ’ s about the posture of the people ’ s hearts . And only God can measure the human heart . I can ’ t . I can ’ t even know my own heart ! And ultimately it is only God who gets to measure how worshipful our worship is .
This realization has been a real breakthrough for me . Like a big heavy bag of rocks falling off my shoulders . I hope it can be for you too .
CONTEXT IS KEY A year or so back , I had a wonderful conversation with a couple of the key music leaders from one of ( my home country ) New Zealand ’ s biggest churches . Huge congregations . Massive auditoriums over several sites . State-of-theart audio / video production . Incredible roster of highly talented singers and instrumentalists .
I spoke to them about this “ concert or campfire ” concept . They got it . I found what they said truly refreshing . They explained that , in their main auditorium where several thousand congregate every service , they utilize many high-production , concert-like technical and musical choices . But they recognized that some of their congregation do not resonate with the big concert . That ’ s why they have a second , concurrent auditorium that they call The Chapel where a smaller crowd gathers . There , the musical and technical choices are very much like the campfire .
Whether we ’ re serving a big church with a bulging roster of incredible singers and instrumentalist at our disposal supported by state-of-the-art audio / visual production or we ’ re part of a church with something less ( even way less ) than that , we want the same thing . We have the same goal . We want our congregation to sing as an expression of worship to Almighty God . We ’ re inviting them to follow our lead , find their voice as we all sing prayers to God , praises of God and declarations of God ’ s truth together .
READ YOUR ROOM . KNOW YOUR PEOPLE . In my More Than Music Mentor role - providing training for teams of worshipping musicians and technicians - I ask them to carefully consider this “ Concert or Campfire ?” question . To think carefully about their room , their musical abilities , their audio and video capabilities , and their congregation .
I ’ m asking you to do that too .
intentionality | ɪˈntɛnʃ ( ə ) nalɪti | noun [ mass noun ] the fact of being deliberate or purposive .
Almost invariably , I find that teams have not been intentional enough about many of their vocal , instrumental , and technical choices . They mean well . They ’ re doing their best , but their congregations are often just barely engaged . Hardly singing , if at all . They have leaned too far towards concert for their context .
Don ’ t be misled by what you see and hear on YouTube . What the bigger churches with better musicians and audio / video production do . What pro , touring “ worship artists ” do . Having your particular community of believers sing worshipfully together is important . We believe that doing so can facilitate the heartfelt worship of God and deeper vertical and horizontal connection . Be who you are . Be intentional . Find the right position between concert and campfire for your context .
WORSHIP I try to think of worship as a verb . It means to show the worth of God - to ascribe value to The Cross of Christ Jesus , my Lord and Savior . The opportunity to worship God is in every moment of every day .
I lead congregations to sing songs together as one of the ways we worship or show the worth of God . But the opportunity to worship God - show the worth of God - is not just when we ’ re singing . It ’ s 24 / 7 / 365 and 366 on a leap year . ( Romans 12:1 )
I ’ m not a pure worshiper yet . I ’ m still part idolator . I don ’ t want to be , but I am . I believe I am justified by Christ , but I am not yet fully sanctified . Hopefully , as I learn , grow , and surrender more , I am becoming less of an idolator and more of a worshipper .
If the congregation is small , their enthusiasm level is modest , the musical abilities of the band less than ideal and / or the audio / video production quality is low , I have found that I can better lead if I make vocal , instrumental , and technical choices that are more like the campfire . If the crowd is bigger , more passionate , and I am supported by higher levels of musical ability and production , I can lean more towards concert-like choices .
But my musical focus should always remain on inviting the “ voice ” of the congregation . I want them to sing ! Sing prayers to God . Praises of God . Declarations of God ’ s truth . If I can do that - concert or campfire - I believe we have done our best to worship God through songs . And if the people sing , there is the higher joy for me too !
So , I ask again , where do you place yourself - you , your team , your congregation - between concert and campfire ?
Could the answer to that question influence your musical and technical choices moving forward ? Perhaps it should .
Grant Norsworthy founder of MoreThanMusicMentor . com