Comments on One Eternal Day: Paul Manuel: Worship

Thanks for you comment on hymn texts being more ab...

2007-02-25T19:34:00.000-06:00

Thanks for you comment on hymn texts being more about us than God. You aren’t the first to notice that problem. However, the problem, while found in essentially all Seventh Day Baptist churches, isn’t as widespread as you might think. And it’s really quite easily (though not inexpensively) remedied.

Our problem is our hymnals. While there is not a denominational hymnal, most Seventh Day Baptist hymnals include an overabundance of hymn texts written from 1850-1950. Leaf through your hymnal. I think you’ll be surprised to find that that vast majority of texts were written then. It was during this time (and I’m sure others can elaborate on this) that many churches’ focus shifted, from God to the individual.

If one is concerned about the subjective texts and focus on the worshiper, I would suggest replacing your hymnal. Martin Luther texts are usually excellent. (How many are in your hymnal?) Make sure your hymnal has enough texts written before 1800.

However, the grim reality (as I see it) is that this “theology” is characteristic of Baptists. Baptists thrive on it. Each Baptist likes to feel special, that he or she matters. But regardless of our traditions (even though they may only be 150 years old), we need to be Christ-centered, rather than individually centered.

If you want to give this a try, I have a hymnal I would suggest, but I doubt it will fly. Few will want to spend $20 apiece for a bunch of new hymns that won’t appeal to the fogies entrenched in their tradition and won’t appeal to the under-30 group because they’re not inanely entertaining and don’t make them “feel good.”

Let me know how it goes and good luck on turning the tide in this perpetual shift of focus from Christ to the individual.

Just a quick note. Barbara often tells her choirs...

2006-09-11T13:01:00.000-05:00

Just a quick note. Barbara often tells her choirs and others that participate in the service that they are "prompters in the act of worship." Musicians, readers, sermonizers, all have one obligation, to help people worship
God. It doesn't always work, but it certainly is worth the try. I recall, too, an old axiom: "When the worship is over, the service begins." Herb

Care must be taken in the choice of all music for ...

2006-08-24T10:14:00.000-05:00

Care must be taken in the choice of all music for worship services. I think we may find that it is not only "choruses" that may be "repetitive and vapid." I wonder how many hymns we would find so if the same verse were repeated ad nauseum? The simple fact that something was written 100 years ago does not make it good, and the fact something was written within the last 20 years does not make it bad. Thought must be given to words, tempo, tone, and style of performance. All music, whether it be special music, praise songs, hymns, prelude or postlude, should be carefully chosen to, at the very least, support the theme of the sermon/service, and ideally, to focus the worshipper on God.

C.S. Lewis made a distinction between "looking alo...

2006-08-20T18:52:00.000-05:00

C.S. Lewis made a distinction between "looking along" something and "looking at" it. In the context of worship, it's the difference between enjoying a show, [i.e. being in an audience, appreciating the performance] or seeing [praising,loving, fearing] God.

A friend who studied drama once told me that the actors had failed if you sat there marveling at the skill of their acting. They had succeeded only if you became caught up in the story. Likewise, an artist or a musician doesn't want you to see the technique - the technique is a vehicle through which they direct you to an experience. One reason to do things well is that, if you don't, the audience notices how you are doing what you are doing rather than the ideas and/or experience you want them to have.

Those who lead worship should try their best, not to impress you with themselves, not to help you have a good time, but to help you direct all your attention to the object of worship - God Himself.