Worship Music: who is it for? And why is it so bad?

A twitter friend forwarded this article to me: Criticizing Worship Music http://cameronsprinkle.tumblr.com/post/8393681783/criticizing-worship-music-part-1

Of course knowing me, I'm immediately interested. It's an interesting article bringing up many points. The problem with music in general and everything else that's creative/created is that its a very personal thing, especially to the creator (songwriter/musician), and when it involves God, since He is the one we are worshipping, it gets even more personal.

I've been a Christian since August 1997. My first 'Christian' albums were DC Talk - Jesus Freak, and Jars of Clay (self-titled). Around that time Columbia Music House was around and I got many of my first CDs from then (Oh, hello MWS Missing Person and SCC Speechless.. I'm sure some Amy Grant was in their too). My first worship experience was in the Youth Shack with many of the Vineyard CDs (Winds of Worship and Touching the Fathers Heart) on a CD player in the center of the room and an overhead projector. I knew nothing else and had just started hearing about this little known UK worship band called Delirious. At the same time, another unknown band Starfield (who came from our sister/daughter church), had also just begun.

Fast-forward to now, 14 years later, 4 churches later and a radio show under my belt for the past 13 years. I've loved what you loved and disliked what you have as well. I've met the divas, the rock stars, the talented ones, the really bad singers and musicians, let along the very nice musician who has no stage presence what-so-ever.. and sometimes they are the same person over the course of time. I've been in the 15,000-seat arenas to worship, taken the photos, sung the songs, then driven the musicians who lead worship back to the hotel. I've also sat in a tiny church, with a guitarist/pastor and a small circle of friends and felt the intimacy of God.

And in the middle of this is us and God. I've done a few blogs about the Christian entertainment industry and the need to market worship leaders/bands, and the albums etc that follow. I will try to be as open as possible, this usually is taken as being (overly) blunt on a blog. Apologies for anyone I end up hurting in the process.

I dislike Nashville (Nashvegas) and the industry that churns out albums based on what it thinks you want. No, rather, it tells you want you want. (Or else the CRTC does in Canada: 35% Canadian content! Too bad if you don't have any 'well produced Christian albums!') The same albums feature singles that you will be forced to hear, not because they are the best on an album (or good at all), but because they are chosen as the ones immediately hitting the radio market (and going for AC/CHR/INSPO adds now!).

Yet at the same time, in order for musicians to survive, they need to enter this industry (in today's world anyways). If you belong to a mega church, you could one day become the worship pastor and perhaps write your own music, produce your own CDs/DVDs and then get revenue from all that including tshirts, songbooks, and tours. Just make sure the church's name is on everything, forget about releasing your own music or touring on your own without their name headlining> it's about the Church, not you! Err.. God.. no wait.. what?!

Wow, how did worship God turn into profit? Ouch! I'm sure in the beginning (hopefully) no one wanted to say: Hey I love music, I love God, and I'm going to make lots of money at it (ie. BEING GREEDY).  I'm sure most (Christian) musicians that I know love making music and love God. Their hearts recognize a first desire in worshiping Him with the talents they are given. Anyone creative feels so much more joy in being creative whether it be music, design, painting, photography, fashion, pottery etc. We are mimicking our first love, the One who created us first, the ultimate and first Creator. People see this as bad when others get money for it. Sigh, we all have to eat don't we?

Some musicians I know are mirroring the House of Prayer talked about by King David in Psalm 27:4 One thing I ask from the LORD, this only do I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the LORD, all the days of my life, to gaze on the beauty of the LORD, and to seek him in his temple. They are musicians and priests and missionaries (so-to-speak). They are also financially supported by their House of Prayer and their community, whether it be local or worldwide. Just as you would personally support a missionary to Africa or your local church community, others are doing the same. With open and giving hearts.

This is in stark contrast to today's Christian music industry. Questions float around: What is current on the secular airwaves? What is an appealing sound? Should I use auto-tune? Who should produce my album? How much money should I spend? Who should I get signed with let alone tour with? Am I sounding like U2? (The band that apparently won't go away and everyone sounds like.. forever.) Should I do a worship album or my own personal stuff? Or both? Or a hymn album? Or a Christmas album? How about an Easter album? 

It's enough to make anyone go crazy or become a rockstar. Sigh. Breaks my heart to see what the North American Christian music industry has done to musicians. I can imagine the musicians hearing: 'Sorry, if this album doesn't sell big, then we're not renewing your contract' or 'Whoops! We forgot to nominate you for this year's biggest selling worship single.' And the musician thinking: 'So does this mean I'm not a good worshiper? Or a 'good enough' musician for God.. or for His people?! Or that I should just release a carbon copy of what every other Christian artist is producing let alone what the world is doing?' 'Why can't I get my award, which I don't even want, but shows that I've finally made it big in an industry I don't even believe in?!'

Both your heart and who its directed to, as well as the creative talent that God has given to you is important! It will look different to every person, thankfully! Personally, I'm a fan of hymns since I never grew up in any church, but I also love love guitars and pianos taken from present-day UK influence (or Australian influence if you really want to bring Hillsong United into this :) Michael Guy Chislet is one of my favourite guitarists/producers/musicians out there!)

So yes, I'm thankful that Cameron (who I just discovered today) wrote this blog. Thankful that he affirmed that we can love and vehemently dislike the same music that you (the audience?) will feel quite the opposite about. We do need to be good stewards in this. Grow and expand our talents and tastes. We need to honestly say to someone who has a lovely heart but with little to no talent, sorry you should not be making cds, try something else and still worship God whole-heartedly. Hillsong United (and insert whatever band/musician/stream you are listening to) are not the be all and end all! I can say this as someone who greatly appreciates them as individuals and their music. Dear church: try finding your own personality through worship music, not X church down the road. Nurture your own musicians; from the ones that find drums offensive (let alone clapping) to the kid who plays Rock Band AND his own guitar in his basement with no one watching. Your greatest leader is the one who worships in the dark.

To close: who are we to question if it ministers not only to the person, but to God? As my pastor says, in the end (if we have a good set or awful set) we are ministering to God, our Creator.

I'm sure as humans, we will always have this problem with criticizing worship music, until the end, when heaven comes down to earth and we can see Him face to face. We will be worshipping forever.. for eternity...crying Holy Holy Holy is the Lord God Almighyt, who was and is and is to come.