I
By Bob Burroughs
I am sick and tired of hearing the term, “Worship Wars!” We have about run this one into the ground, don’t you think? In addition, the term is offensive, labeling the church choir the “war department” of the church.
The term is about as passé as yesterday’s newspaper, the Edsel and bell-bottom trousers. I think we should begin to use the term “Worship Preferences,” for that is what worship style really is to most people — a preference.
You may prefer Coke over Pepsi, basketball over football, mountains over the beach, blue over green or hymns over choruses, but regardless of your preference, it is still a preference.
If my preference in worship style is traditional, contemporary will probably not ever be my preference. If I prefer a contemporary style of worship, traditional will never be my preference.
Yet, we continually press our congregations to change their preference of worship style. The church leadership decides, often with little input from the congregation, to change the worship style in one or two weeks, going from traditional to contemporary.
This decision does not fare well with many of those in the congregation. As a result, many leave to seek their worship preference elsewhere. You may hear terms like “good riddance,” or “hope they will be happy now” or even “now that thorn in my side is finally gone!”
How very sad, both for those that left and for those making the comments. Basically, what happened is this: their worship preference was taken away and communication with and worship of God through their preference was hijacked.
Think about it this way:
1. Worship preference is a very personal experience. If one is a long-time believer, having grown up with a traditional worship preference, changing their worship preference is not something they will take lightly. It is difficult for them to make the switch and change their preference.
At the same time, for new believers having little or no knowledge of hymns and not versed in the “thee” and “thou” words that are not used in language today, the fast-paced worship of the contemporary experience is just right for them. It fits their worship preference, and they probably won’t be switching preferences anytime soon.
2. Worship preferences do not change because the pastor takes off his coat and tie, is very casual and the music is up-tempo and loud. “Loud” does not worship make. Many contemporary worship leaders are totally unaware that sometimes more than half of the congregation is not singing.
Why? Two reasons: (1) the leader and praise team are singing so loud that they cannot even hear anyone but themselves. (2) New songs are introduced without any preparation. Most congregations don’t do “new” very well — with little forewarning.
3. If a church family (note the word, “family” here) decides that the worship preference of the church is to be changed, then preparation and planning need to be done, slowly and gently, making sure all are on board for this great and mighty change.
It may not seem “great and mighty” but it is. They may not ever say anything about it, but their worship preference has been changed big-time and they will not forget it and most will not forgive it.
So let’s drop “Worship Wars” and begin to think “Worship Preferences.” And let’s begin to think of the congregation: their background, what has gone before, and begin to take careful baby steps in desiring to change the worship preferences of the people. We will all be better off.