UPDATE (FEBRUARY 27th, 2023): This essay was written before my conversion sometime around Christmas of 2022, and reflects a more critical attitude than I would now comfortably publish about Christian worship.
I'm well into my 28th year of marriage to a worship leader, and for those near 3 decades of marriage and faith I have always dreaded the worship time, the only exception being the 10 years that I played the drums on the team. Not long after my wife and I were married I sang her a love song while playing the guitar, The First Time We Met Is A Favorite Memory Of Mine by Merle Haggard. When I was done, my wife, who has played piano by ear since she was 4, expressed sincere amazement. She wondered if it was even possible for her to do what I had just done even if she tried real hard. My feat? I had sang the song in one key and played it in another.
I had been playing the guitar for probably 10 years before I realized that I couldn't sing and I realized that I couldn't sing about 30 years ago now. I listen to very little music, and about a year ago I began to seek ways to skip the singing time at church, a thing I have always endured except, as I said, for the times I played the drums. I've wondered, given that the Bible never prescribes what is now the global order of service: 4 songs, announcements, preaching, how that order ever came to be and if it is even necessary.
I've been reading your stuff for probably about 10 years, and I'm glad to hear of your conversion. My question is, did your conversion change your attitude at all about the worship time? Or, put another way, is something wrong with me?
I still skip worship service! It has the opposite effect on me — almost always like water on a cat. The old hymns are almost the only thing I enjoy. Hang in there. It’s a trial of endurance. Christians are just in a really bad place culturally and most men are just afraid to say so. The music in heaven will be better.
Since I learned that I am somewhat tone deaf, even though I have longed achingly to sing, I dare not. One of my favorite Bible vs. is Rev 5:12 where it says "...they gang in a loud voice". I was thinking of that as I read your post on NDE, and post BTW that will keep me thinking for a very long time. Thank you.
I and my son and daughter-in-law frequently have these discussions. They are, of course, much younger than me, but they find the music at their warehouse church mostly annoying and sometimes laughable. (By warehouse I mean one of the cavernous, dark buildings converted into a church which are numerous now.)
I have been trying to get back to church attendance after several years of home church and several years of non attendance. I live in a rural area with numerous churches throughout the countryside. I visited a church with a small congregation in a lovely, white, bright, window lit sanctuary where hymns were sung. My heart overflowed with gratitude as I pondered the words and reflected on the rich legacy handed down to me from my many years of hymn singing in a traditional Christian church.
Later I visited a dark, warehouse church with a band and powerhouse lead singer and it all just felt cacophonous. I tried to close my eyes and shut out the over stimulation but as I didn’t know the words to the songs I couldn’t sing along with my eyes closed. Since I was a visitor to the church I had taken a seat near the back and eventually a speaker chastised those of us sitting in the back not raising our hands and “joining” the worship. The assumption that we are not worshipping unless we are actively swaying is one reason I, too, will be inclined to skip the singing portion of that church should I decide to go back. (And I may go back because I think their messaging is Biblical and relevant).
I'm well into my 28th year of marriage to a worship leader, and for those near 3 decades of marriage and faith I have always dreaded the worship time, the only exception being the 10 years that I played the drums on the team. Not long after my wife and I were married I sang her a love song while playing the guitar, The First Time We Met Is A Favorite Memory Of Mine by Merle Haggard. When I was done, my wife, who has played piano by ear since she was 4, expressed sincere amazement. She wondered if it was even possible for her to do what I had just done even if she tried real hard. My feat? I had sang the song in one key and played it in another.
I had been playing the guitar for probably 10 years before I realized that I couldn't sing and I realized that I couldn't sing about 30 years ago now. I listen to very little music, and about a year ago I began to seek ways to skip the singing time at church, a thing I have always endured except, as I said, for the times I played the drums. I've wondered, given that the Bible never prescribes what is now the global order of service: 4 songs, announcements, preaching, how that order ever came to be and if it is even necessary.
I've been reading your stuff for probably about 10 years, and I'm glad to hear of your conversion. My question is, did your conversion change your attitude at all about the worship time? Or, put another way, is something wrong with me?
I still skip worship service! It has the opposite effect on me — almost always like water on a cat. The old hymns are almost the only thing I enjoy. Hang in there. It’s a trial of endurance. Christians are just in a really bad place culturally and most men are just afraid to say so. The music in heaven will be better.
Since I learned that I am somewhat tone deaf, even though I have longed achingly to sing, I dare not. One of my favorite Bible vs. is Rev 5:12 where it says "...they gang in a loud voice". I was thinking of that as I read your post on NDE, and post BTW that will keep me thinking for a very long time. Thank you.
If you like the NDE essay, be sure to check out Imagine Heaven! An absolute trip — changed the way I view God drastically
I and my son and daughter-in-law frequently have these discussions. They are, of course, much younger than me, but they find the music at their warehouse church mostly annoying and sometimes laughable. (By warehouse I mean one of the cavernous, dark buildings converted into a church which are numerous now.)
I have been trying to get back to church attendance after several years of home church and several years of non attendance. I live in a rural area with numerous churches throughout the countryside. I visited a church with a small congregation in a lovely, white, bright, window lit sanctuary where hymns were sung. My heart overflowed with gratitude as I pondered the words and reflected on the rich legacy handed down to me from my many years of hymn singing in a traditional Christian church.
Later I visited a dark, warehouse church with a band and powerhouse lead singer and it all just felt cacophonous. I tried to close my eyes and shut out the over stimulation but as I didn’t know the words to the songs I couldn’t sing along with my eyes closed. Since I was a visitor to the church I had taken a seat near the back and eventually a speaker chastised those of us sitting in the back not raising our hands and “joining” the worship. The assumption that we are not worshipping unless we are actively swaying is one reason I, too, will be inclined to skip the singing portion of that church should I decide to go back. (And I may go back because I think their messaging is Biblical and relevant).