So when has a church become a rock concert?
Eric Dye reflected on an article by Thomas McKenzie in which this question was brought up. How do you know when the line has been crossed?
Here was his answer:
“When rock concerts and worship services are indistinguishable, then we’re of this world, not just in it.”
I think that’s a really fascinating and accurate answer on a few levels, actually. For one, because it reminds us of the words of Jesus in John 17: 14-19:
“I have given them Your word; and the world has hated them because they are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. I do not pray that You should take them out of the world, but that You should keep them from the evil one. They are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. Sanctify them by Your truth. Your word is truth. As You sent Me into the world, I also have sent them into the world.”
Romans 12:2 says something similar:
“And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.”
There’s a tension in Scripture which has often been dubbed “in the world, but not of the world.” In many cases, this has often been used to defend a kind of hyper-religious isolationism: as in we have to put up with being here, but let’s separate ourselves so as not to infect ourselves.
But nothing could be further from the truth. We are to be different, but we are actually sent into the world in order to help transform it.
Now that I’ve set that foundation, I’ll return to the second point that I liked about the authors statement. I do believe that a rock concert and a worship service are supposed to look and feel different. Truth be told, I’ve never been to a rock concert before, but I’ve seen parts of them on tv, and when people in church are acting indistinguishably from people in a concert, then you have a problem.
Again, McKenzie says:
- “If you are in a room that has been darkened with all the lights on a single person or small group, if you can only hear them and no one else, if one person’s face looks down on everyone from a tall screen, whom are you meant to worship?”
- “When you sing praise to God, why isn’t your voice good enough?”
- “Why does your voice have to be drowned out by a sound system?”
- “Why can’t you hear your neighbor sing?”
- “Why is it necessary to have a close up look at the preacher or singer on a giant video screen?”
I think as leaders, these are all sobering questions for all of us to think about. In some cases, are we actually trying to mimic rock concerts because we think that it will attract more people? Let’s remember that the earliest accounts we have of Christian gatherings and worship make it clear that “Christian worship was designed to enable Christians to worship God” (Alan Kreider). It was never a tool or a strategy to reach unbelievers. What challenged and converted unbelievers was not actually what happened in church at all, but what happened on the road, in their communities, as people were living out what it meant to be a called out and transformed people of God.
So what about you? What are the signs that a church service has crossed over to becoming like a rock concert? To leave a comment scroll below.
[image by leftovercricket]
Sometimes I really miss doing regular hymnals because even with some “praise teams”, I feel like its still a mini concert. They are signing the songs their way (Mariah Carey Style) and I can’t follow.
But as soon as they switch to a more traditional hymnal song where there is no room for “Mariah”, you actually hear everyone jump into the song and everyone sings!
I just think it’s time to stop the foolishness of trying to be “cool enough” for people to want to worship.
Interesting…
As someone who has been to a lot of concerts and a lot of different worship services, Im afraid this one is brushed with an aweful broad brush. Just because the lights, volume level etc are the same doesn’t mean that the two events are similar.
At the concerts I was immersed in a world of Alcohol and Drugs which I have never encountered in a worship service. At a rock concert it was about hooking up which I have never seen at a worship service. At the rock concert my desire was for one thing which a worship service has never drawn out that desire in me.
I have never been singing Until the Whole world hears ( https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ICxIWulmsDo ) and been thinking wow I wanna smoke a joint or do a line or go find a woman. It doesnt make me want to cheat on my wife or turn from God.
I have never been in a worship service no matter how loud or big the lights were that I would say was like a rock concert in any way other that a superficial way.
These points are a bit silly and simplistic and play to a certain mindset.
“If you are in a room that has been darkened with all the lights on a single person or small group, if you can only hear them and no one else, if one person’s face looks down on everyone from a tall screen, whom are you meant to worship?” (Why do we sing in the shower)
“When you sing praise to God, why isn’t your voice good enough?” (So does this imply we need to loose all acompanyment? This is the Church of Christ argument)
“Why does your voice have to be drowned out by a sound system?” (Because I cant sing, but love to sing with passion, see #1)
“Why can’t you hear your neighbor sing?” (Who says I cant, also I have been a traditional service and hardly heard anyone singing as well. If this is the criteria do most churches fail altogether?)
“Why is it necessary to have a close up look at the preacher or singer on a giant video screen?” (Its not necessary but also not sinful)
I would have to argue that these points made are more about personal preference. There are personalities that want to sing loud and have no one hear.
These things are different in different people.
What does it mean that people look the same at a concert and a worship? Happy? Excited? Celebratory? Glad to be there? I mean what was that implying? Do we judge by outward apperance without seeing the heart? I see a lot of worship services that look exactly like a funeral does that imply they are one in the same?
With all that being said, I prefer a more basic worship service.
The in the world not of the world has been used to argue personal preferences almost since the church was founded. Does this imply we cant dress like others? (Amish) or Drive cars (Thats worldly) or own a computer?
Romans 12:2 isn’t about outward things. It is about adopting the patterns of thinking and attitudes of the world. We are told not to adopt the attitudes of the world but let the Spirit transform our mind. It isn’t about dress or music or cars, or any other cultural item.
Its about heart. Are we loving things more than God? Do we adopt the attitudes or the world which is self seeking, judgmental, and controlling or are we transformed in to humble servants of Christ? Its a transformation of the heart not loving things but having JESUS as enough.
Worship of course is not for non believers. But as non believers seen authentic worship, and hear the gospel preached it turns their hearts. “How then will they call on Him in whom they have not believed? How will they believe in Him whom they have not heard? And how will they hear without a preacher?” (Romans 10:14)
“15 It is true that some preach Christ out of envy and rivalry, but others out of goodwill. 16 The latter do so out of love, knowing that I am put here for the defense of the gospel. 17 The former preach Christ out of selfish ambition, not sincerely, supposing that they can stir up trouble for me while I am in chains. 18 But what does it matter? The important thing is that in every way, whether from false motives or true, Christ is preached. And because of this I rejoice.
Yes, and I will continue to rejoice,” (Phil 1:15-18)
All I can say is if someone doesnt like loud music or lights, dont go.
Thanks for that extended comment, Chris! I agree with you that there are some broad strokes in there for sure. I suppose my question was such: Is it possible for a church to go overboard in a worship service?
You notice how people are induced to give not by a person, but by a building?
Is it ok that pastors relentlessly goad members to donate to the construction of lavish buildings that become more of a monument to a your pastor’s ego than a place to worship and to serve the needy? Sherprd Of The Hills Church in Porter Ranch California just milked 43 Million Dollars from its members for a new building complete with a 6 Story Prayer Tower and coffee shop!!
“If you have a $2+ Million Dollar building that’s filled with people whom don’t have life insurance and are struggling to make ends meet, then truley your pastors church’s priorities are messed up..Find a new church…Take care of yourself and your family members first! It’s sad how #greedy pastors can be..Telling people to sign over collectibles stocks and bonds jewelry collectibles anything of value ..Heck they will even take your children’s collage fund!! Pastors don’t need my life million dollar buildings to preach the gospel!! Real Life Church in Valencia California is doing the same crap..Now they are renting a movie theater asking people to invite more people so they can have another (we seem to have run out of space and need 15 million to build another campus!!
Such greed it’s sick
Wow. Thanks for the comment. There is a lot of truth to that. At some point you certainly begin thinking about how much is enough. Those numbers you mentioned certainly are really high.
Thank you, Rodlie! Very excellent!
Chris Jones has raised many of the points I would have wanted to raise.
However, there are elements of truth in the original thought, of course. In the end, things may have similar forms, and so it becomes essential that we don’t discriminate on those criteria. Just consider the incarnation for example. Suppose we assumed, as this article does, that form, in an of itself, is the main way in which we are to determine the trustworthiness and usefulness of anything? Jesus took the “form” of humanity, in fact, most Christians believe he was %100 human. But people are evil, fallen, and prone to all kinds of selfish and heinous behaviours. But we obviously don’t believe this about Jesus. Jesus wasn’t selfish, evil, fallen, or anything of the like.
In the end, I too believe that a more participative and less personality/entertainment driven worship service is necessary. But, and this being my main point really, can be a critique raised against many current forms and shapes of liturgy/worship. The truth is, most of our worship environments are not conducive to genuine growth, whether contemporary or traditional. In the end, musical form has much less to do with all of that, than does the rest of the worship/teaching/corporate encounter.
Thanks for raising the discussion Rodlie!
You bet, Stevan! Thanks for the comment.
I am quite disappointed, actually disturbed by the concert look feel and sound of our church buildings. I for one cannot attend them..the joy and light of Christ in me feels “shut down”..I tried to focus on Christ, the worship, the word, but I just want to leave..so, I don’t go. We are a “peculiar” people, light, holy, set apart. We don’t need dark churches to attract people bcuz God has always called us and done perfectly well without our help thru Christ and The Holy Spirit..oh, and how about all these people putting their names on bibles? Unacceptable.
Thanks, Marie. Curious: do you attend a church that has that kind of feel?
You make a fair point, Anita. There is a huge focus on experience these days, which can be dangerous. Jesus said we must worship in “sprit and in truth,” but unfortunately some think that church is just about the feeling they get.