A worship Pastor tired of worship music?
Sometimes I get so tired of "worship" music. Which may sound odd coming from a worship pastor. But it's true. Sometimes the tired lyrics and worn cliches and Nashville scene make me question when does worship music stop being about the next greatest anthem and start being about God. How do we sing songs about God anyway? How can we sum Him up in a pithy four liner? Obviously we can't. But we try. Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't. People have been doing it for centuries. We will always try to understand the mystery, to express the inexpressible. That's how God has made us. That's what makes us human.
Some great worship albums
There are some worship leaders who I keep returning to. Eoghan Heaslip is one (I love his albums "Mercy" and "Grace in the Wilderness"); Paul Oakley's "Unafraid" is a powerful stripped back live acoustic with some of the most beautiful lyrics (see Moth to a Flame) - I keep coming back to this album. Delirious? and their earlier acoustic work is often powerful (see Find me in the River or "When All Around Has Fallen", or "I've Searched for Gold"). Matt Redman's "Facedown" album is a keeper. As is Graham Kendrick's "What Grace". But it's rare that listening to worship music moves me in the way that perhaps the author would like it to.
A Grander View
What I've discovered is that I find true worship music in the strangest places. What's the difference between "worship" music and worship music. Just that worship music moves me closer to God. Sure it depends on how I'm feeling, what mood I'm in, but lately I find I go elsewhere other than traditional "worship" albums to encounter God. For example, Taize music, or Sacred Polyphony. My journey even takes me to Icelandic prog-rock artists, Sigur Ros, with the grand sonic landscapes they paint, that somehow bring to mind the greatness of God. Classical music, such as Eric Satie's Gymnopedie or Clair de Lune by Debussy. Gorecki's "Sympony of Sorrowful Songs" moves me (try closing your eyes and listening to this all the way through without crying. )
These songs and many more move me to worship - not in any linear way, but in a way that somehow encompasses me and gets me feeling and experiencing the mystery and beauty of God.
Martyn Joseph
But now to Martyn Joseph - a Welsh singer songwriter who I've seen here in Canada numerous times. He moves me out of a place of complacency. He moves me to remembering that God has placed me on earth to be someone who honours God and to do something to honour God. All without ever saying remotely referring to either of those points. Interesting. I could tell you all about him. Or I could point you to a couple of youtube videos of his. Here. Here. Here. You can also download some free songs from his website here. This is one of the places where I discover worship music.
Cheers
Dan
* Disclaimer - I love modern worship music. I respect worship musicians. I love singing worship music. I just know that worship music is greater and deeper and more than the latest offering from (_______) fill in the blank.
Love the disclaimer... just in case some one was unsure of your loyalty to the brand.
ReplyDeleteI wonder if your connection to Martin Joseph is more than a geographic one. Perhaps it is because of the raw, honest, and earthy (not so other worldly) speak to your heart.
Amos 5 (Message)
21 “I can’t stand your religious meetings.
I’m fed up with your conferences and conventions.
22 I want nothing to do with your religion projects, your pretentious slogans and goals.
I’m sick of your fund-raising schemes,
your public relations and image making.
23 I’ve had all I can take of your noisy ego-music. When was the last time you sang to me?
24 Do you know what I want?
I want justice—oceans of it.
I want fairness—rivers of it.
That’s what I want. That’s all I want.
*Disclaimer: I believe in the other worldly and value the Church. :>)
re: my disclaimer - yeah, something like that!
ReplyDeleteSeeing MJ live at a festival (in front of hundreds) and then in a pub in rural Ontario in front of a handful - his passion never wanes - he's out to convince...no matter what the settings. As a Pastor, but more, as a Christian, the deeper I attempt to delve into truth the more I'm left scratching my head at the depth and the mystery of God - Treasure the Question, eh?
I hate writing blogs for one reason - the written word is so final. I wish I could leave it with a big dot dot dot...
Cheers for your comment.
Disclaimer: Some things need to be said, you can't go to bed and just shut it all down. You've got to guard your dreams and your visions...just like the man said (Just like the Man Said)