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Why So Quiet?

Being a full-time worship Pastor, it’s a joy to have a youth praise leader to partner with you. My friend, Dallas, and I had the recent privilege of a day with Kari Jobe and Lincoln Brewster (first names, enough said) and their bands, thanks to one of our affiliate churches who graciously hosted the event. Great things happened throughout the speedy, one-day workshop, and, on the same token, some things didn’t happen. Let me explain and perhaps you can help answer the title question.

In a small group Q&A session, the question was raised, “How do we lead a conservative/traditional crowd into modern/progressive praise with grace?” When the question was presented, maybe half dozen people raised their hands exclaiming “Yeah, we need help.” Of course, it was briefly addressed and blended with some other discussion topics as there were so many to cover.

In contrast, during some corporate worship earlier that day, there came moments of shocking silence during times that should have been amazingly loud. This in a room filled to capacity with worship leaders and church singers. Being led by predominantly strong-hearted worshipers who know and love God, the group was over and over again encouraged to open up and lift their voices, to little or no avail. It was the quietest I have heard in quite some time. Perhaps what we need most is to learn how David’s crew sounded.

Bounce forward; as Sunday rolled around and we were back at home, I couldn’t help but stop mid-way through our local worship and exhort our people. The address was one of joy and gratefulness on how well they have done in learning to open their mouths and let the song and the praises rise. In that moment I was so encouraged by our folks. We have seen great development in recent months with our congregation and our praise team, so it was thrilling to encourage them and ‘share the love’. The same encouragement goes out to our entire city.

Today, reflecting on the question raised in the small group session, “What can we do to help facilitate this global transition? Is it only in our American church culture there is such a hindrance? From the reports I hear, other nations are thriving on the passion and running to respond to the Lord’s love and call. Having watched, participated, served, learned from, and been part of this transformation in America for about three decades, plus being raised in a conservative background, the thing that affected me most during this workshop was the lack of participation in the most opportune of passionate moments in Kingdom development. What to do? Why so quiet? If Worship Leaders don’t know how to go to that Place, how will our people ever learn?

Thank you all for your investment in South Texas. Even just one day. Next time you’re here, expect it to be very different.