I
was given this short but great blog post on "Do We Really Need More Worship Songs" and
asked to give my thoughts on it. After reading and posting my thoughts for a
friend I decided to do a post here and see if others have thoughts. It was a
great challenge and I have my thoughts below BUT read it firsts, check out my
thoughts and let me know yours.
Remember
Eph 4:29 as you read and respond: "Let everything you say be good and
helpful, so that your words will be an encouragement to those who hear
them."
My
Thoughts: I think there are some great thoughts
here in this article. I think when the author challenges writers on their
lyrics that it is a great challenge and an often needed one. I agree that the
Idea of poetry is at root of great songs and I think we can see that even in
the hymns that will last longer then most of their counterparts out of the
hymnal. The ones that are written as poetry instead of a sermon will last much
longer, I believe, and thus say even more with less (Holy Holy Holy, How Great
Thou Are, etc). I would agree, out of how many songs I check out each week I
like 1 or none, usually, but that is ok. However, I think the author said it
well without trying to say it when he talked about the songs written out of his
church. They are written for a purpose or a season and create great meaning for
that church or community and carry power and anointing there. If I was to hear
the same song I might brush it off quickly as lacking depth or poetry or
meaning to me or my church. So does that mean they should not have been
written? NO! Of course not. Because they were written for a season and
community and that’s what God was doing there. So with that in mind, we have to
be careful, especially as artists and worship leaders, to not attack or judge
others art that was created for their church or community. Even with phrases
like "sloppy wet kiss" (which I hear many people criticize).
For the many people that hate it, there are also many people that it
speaks to and paints a poetic picture that gives them a closer understanding of
Gods truth. That’s the power of language, art and poetry. It won't speak to all
and doesn't need to. That is the great advantage of the many many many new
songs being written. They are tools in the hands of the Holy Spirit and I am a
fan of letting God use what he will use and me shutting up when it comes to
criticizing when I have no real idea of context and God movements in those
other places where the songs are being used. BUT theology and truth MUST always
be a filter we can judge a song by, as we do all other literature or writing or
art in a Christian context. For me personally, my favorite songs have lyrics
that are right out of the Bible (whether its depth or simple) but my least
favorite songs are the ones that feel the need to tell a whole story or give a many
sermon (Like many hymns do). As a worship leader I have found that I do craft a
theme or even a story each week I lead worship but it is with several songs,
flowing from one to another. To me the best song are the ones that don't try
and do to much, but then I can lead, give scripture, and move on to the next
one to create a message that is pointed to God and pointing people to God.Well
those are my thoughts on it! So to answer the question "Do We Really Need More Worship Songs" I would say, if the spirit is leading them to be written then who am I to argue with God.
See also other previous posts on this topic:
