LAND OF THE LIVING MAGAZINE - Magazine - Page 46
There is a pattern of impersonation in the
sound and expressions of the western
church. All too often you can go to a
church service, conference, home group, or
concert to a nearly identical experience.
This is not how we are meant to be, we are
meant for more. Now, I do want to make
myself clear and state that I am not antichurch anthems, nor am I anti-popular
creative expressions in the church. Many of
these styles, anthems, and methods should
be celebrated! I am aware that many of
these expressions set countless amounts of
people free and often give language to
many seeking a way to express their heart
to the Lord. These expressions and those
who author and create them are truly a gift
and I honor their contribution to the
people of God, but we have to come to the
realization this is not only limited to a
chosen few.
I have observed over the years that we, the
modern church, have come to a place
where many are relying on a handful of
songs, sounds, and visuals to be our
expression to the Lord. As I mentioned
before these expressions are a wonderful
gift to the body, but I am convinced there
is more. In the 15+ years I have been in
“ministry” I have seen what happens when
a person, church, or movement begins to
lean into their own sound and creative
expression and it’s stunning. There are
glimpses of this popping up across the
nations and I believe we are seeing just the
beginning of something beautiful
and sacred.
To venture into cultivating a unique sound
both personally and corporately there must
be an element of trust and the ability to
take risks. This can be complicated, but
with persistence,
communication, and open hearts you can
venture to unexplored places that have
always been available to you and your
communities.
Creatives, I know this is a scary thought,
especially in the worship space and from
experience I understand to the fullest extent.
Developing a unique sound or expression is
a vulnerable endeavor and it’s not for the
faint of heart. You will almost certainly have
to endure strong opinions, resistance and
even rejection, but if you persist there is
wonder on the other side.
What musically, visually or sonically makes
your heart come alive? What words do you
find spark something in your spirit that give
you deep connection and understanding to
God? May I dare say, “Ask Jesus Himself
what He wants to hear from you?” When
you begin to ask yourself these questions you
will begin to find a pathway to your unique
expression and what Jesus desires from your
heart. I often tell my worship students that
if the songs you are choosing to lead or play
don’t make your heart come alive then don’t
lead it.
This is the same approach we should have
when developing our unique sound and
expressions. We don’t create for good hooks,
but rather for true connection to Jesus. Start
here, begin developing your unique sound
that is directed right to His heart. Don’t
create with the intent of any other reaction
but His. It’s harder than it sounds. We must
never forget the connection He desires, we
were created for it. He made us all unique,
so in turn why would we all want to sound
and express ourselves all the same? He
desires your unique offering, bring him your
one-of-a-kind, beautiful creative sacrifice of
praise.