"David danced before the LORD with all his might; and David was wearing a linen ephod." 2 Samuel 6
Just a loin cloth, nothing more. David's wife was distraught to say the least that he, David would uncover himself before the eyes of his servants' maids, as any vulgar fellow might shamelessly uncover himself/" (2 Samuel 6:20) David replied, "It was before the Lord...I will celebrate before the Lord. I will become even more undignified than this, and I will be humiliated in my own eyes"...David's wife had no children, which likely meant to communicate that God took David's side. The time the nation's leader danced in his underwear (blog) fumcr.com
I hear every once in a while about how hymns are so much better than the choruses sung now all over the world. I'm listening to Hillsong at this writing. My husband and I went to Christ For The Nations (CFNI) in Dallas, Texas and graduated in 1987. We were in our early 40's, the rest of the student body were 18-30 with just a few of the older generation.
I grew up, for the most part in the Methodist Church singing hymns. In the '80's I was introduced to choruses. My husband and I graduated from CFNI and walked into our first small church as pastors in Oklahoma. A beautiful blonde baby grand piano was placed at the front of the pews, as is normal. The thing is no one knew how to play it. Our congregation numbered 7, all older than their new pastors. We were faced with a "situation" that was not covered in our training. Yes, there were hymnals, very old hymnals but we just left our school that only sang choruses.
Of all the things I had dreamed of doing in our church when we got that far it wasn't to be the song leader. I recognize that's old terminology...I do. So, how did these two new pastors handle this "situation"? We decided that I would be the Praise and Worship leader and we would sing choruses and an occasional hymn. Our new congregation loved it! I mean they were thrilled to sing new songs. Songs with scripture as part of the verse. It was the right time for them and though a momentary challenge for me (us) it was good. Did I mention it was all acapella? That beautiful blond baby grand piano never accompanied our Worship time. In spite of the challenges in our very first church, the church grew and then grew as we sang without a piano and singing choruses and an occasional hymn.
Here's the thing. There are some that believe the Praise and Worship of today is disrespectful and not songs of Praise and Worship because they are not in a hymnal. I've also heard it's because the same words are sung over and over and over again to no apparent end. What I say is not the end of the discussion, I know that, but it is my thoughts based on my experience as a pew sitter and as a Praise and Worship leader. I have experienced both kinds of praise and worship through song and with and without musical accompaniment.
My belief is, that it is not the song or the words or the writer or a hymnal that bring an individual in to the presence of God. One style is not the better or the best. Both are am means to offer our heart to our Creator in thanksgiving. Our Praise and Worship of Him with all that is in us is our purpose. It is our individual heart that God sees as some make a joyful noise and others beautifully sing out of our heart and our love for our maker. That is what I believe God listens to and receives.
We individually can certainly have preference over the style of song we sing. I personally love both, some of each depending on the moment and what's going in my heart. However, is it really important to say that what WE like is the BEST and the better way to sing the praises of our God? Is our individual preference the best for everyone, each one? How could one individual possibly know what is best for another heart. How could I tell you that in order to get it right you must sing what I prefer because it will relay whats in your heart to the lover of your soul the best way? Do we know the heart of the one who stands next to us in the pew? Can we really tell them how they should talk or sing to God? Or even THE way to praise and worship God? Can we?
When I am worshiping my God, I'm not thinking about anyone else or whether or not someone else is even listening or paying attention to me when they are singing too. It is a private time even though I may be singing the same words as everyone in the congregation, I am in His presence and my song is to Him and for Him.
I say in this writing...prefer what you like as long as it ministers to the Father in Heaven through the song you sing from your heart. Give the same choice of preference to every believer in the Body of Christ without a competitive heart before the Father. We don't get to certify that one style is THE style God honors. That's not His character nor should it be ours. God's heart is for us to love him first above all other gods and to love our neighbor as we love ourselves. It doesn't mean our neighbor is like us at all, it means we love them, respect, and encourage them to be all they can be in Christ...as we do for ourselves.
Love is always the answer. I'm Judy, writing on my laptop from my red recliner on this Sunday evening. My you be blessed and rest in God's favor over you.
Please leave a comment and let me know your thoughts on this or any thing you find on my blog. I'd love to hear from you.
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