There’s been a rather lively discussion about worship happening recently over on the PCC Facebook page . I’m not going to rehash it all here; you can read it for yourself if you’re interested. The opinion was shared that what we sing in worship affects how we worship. This is an interesting concept for me and sort of parallels something I have been thinking about off and on for the last year or so.
What I’ve been pondering is both fascinating and a little scary to me. The question is: How does what we sing or hear in worship shape what we believe?
This question fascinates me because I know there have been studies done (although I can’t direct you to any specific ones) showing that our musical memories are very strong. I challenge you to hear a song (any genre) from decades past that does not immediately transport you to some other place and age. I’ll give you one personal example: Carole King. I Feel the Earth Move. Juke box, high school cafeteria. Age 14. I could go on, but this post would get way too long in a big hurry! [Note to self: Don’t go to YouTube to look for said song in the middle of blogging.]
This ability music has can be positive; words of scripture once learned in song can be recalled and used to inspire or encourage us. I’ve also heard enough stories of why so-and-so does not like such-and-such a hymn to know that all such time-and-place associations are not pleasant.
Why do I find this a little scary? I think the main reason is that if I acknowledge how powerful the sung word is, I must also acknowledge the weight of responsibility that comes with that. It is all too easy, I think, to slip from being one who influences to one who manipulates. I don’t want to be a manipulator when it comes to worship.
I’ve thought of a few ways to guard against manipulating worship. In no particular order they are:
- Have someone else review and confirm (or not) your suggestions/choices of worship music.
- Be open to the guidance of the Holy Spirit.
- If it’s appropriate, choose a hymn you don’t particularly like because it is appropriate. And because it might be exactly what someone else can relate to.
- Keep learning new music to use in worship = avoid singing the same piece to express the same theme.
