On Facebook, tonight, Robbie Seay (@robbieseay, Facebook) asks some pertinent questions about our worship in churches, and worship songwriting in general. What are your answers to these questions?

1. Does the church seem to value replication & performance in its music over imagination & honesty in songwriting -unique to each community?

2. Can creativity in music & art within the church overshadow the gospel and true worship? Should creativity have boundaries in the church?

3. Are worship leaders under such pressure to perform & be excellent that they often end up void of creativity & depth in their writing?

My answers:

1. Yes. But, I believe replication is important. Introducing new songs is a great thing, and certainly, God has encouraged us to sing a new song. But, in the church worship environment, when we introduce too much of the “new,” we can end up leaving out the congregation.

We can post up the lyrics for a new song in a powerpoint presentation, but how much worshipful, emotional investment can a listener have when they’re trying to read words for a melody that they are hearing for the first time? And, what if it is a super, performance-art-like musical piece… is the stray from the “same old, same old” taking the listener to a place where they’re thinking more about you and your playing and less about the God that the music intends to worship?

Imagination and honesty are great, but oftentimes they are limited to the person playing. And, when a new song is introduced, the listener is put into a position to “size up the song,” if you will. Does the song pass theological muster, etc.?

Worship is all about God, for certain… but if our corporate worship is extremely personal and over-the-top creative, we can interfere with the experience of the listener. And, that’s bad worship leading, in my humble opinion.

2. No. Creativity in music and art does not necessarily mean that the Gospel and true worship are overshadowed. In the corporate church environment, though, one should have a good feel for the congregation. A more liturgical congregation isn’t going to like David Byrne-like-performance-art-worship… even if God would dig it. 🙂

3. I hope not. If there is a pressure to perform and be excellent than the whole point of worship is missed altogether. A joyful, cacophonous noise is just as good as a perfectly played rendition of “How Great is Our God.”

It is those times of imperfection in my music when I’m reminded to be humble, that I am not perfect, and that I am a person who has fallen short and needs Jesus.

I think that if I was leading at a church where the Pastor was making a very big deal about the quality of our musicianship, then I think I might move on to another church.

What do you think?