Christian Living

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When the music fades.

Nothing fires inter-generational Christian tribalism as quickly as the choice of music for church on Sunday. To some the historic hymns played on the organ are the inspired way for praising God- for them guitars and drums are another sign of social decay. To others music that is out of date is a sign of a church that is out of date. For them things have to change.

And yet in these differences there is more in common than we often recognize. When organs and choirs were all the rage there was a temptation that people would go to church to revel in the beauty and wonder of a musical tradition rightly described as classic. And today many again, now in a new form, are getting off on the band, the voice, the beat and the experience. Across the generations the temptation has always been, and remains, to be a spectator to worship.

I read yesterday of one churches' attempt to do something about a focus that had shifted from the object of worship to the method. A church in the UK, known for it's innovative, creative and technically brilliant praise and worship decided one day that there was something wrong. The spark was missing. Technically all was fine - but they knew there was something wrong.

So they decided on drastic action. For a while, in order to uncover their problem they banned the band and gave their " famous worship leader", Matt Redman some extended leave. They sat in church in silence. It was at first painful and empty. But with time came a fresh insight that they were there for no other reason than God. Slowly, one or two would sing a cappella and others would join in. The simple replaced the slick; participation replaced performance. The star moved from the worshipper to the one alone who was worthy of worship.

In the silence they recovered their reason to sing and their song.

Matt Redman wrote a song about that experience - it is a song many since have come to love

When the music fades,
All is stripped away, and I simply come
Longing just to bring
Something that's of worth
That will bless your heart

I'll bring you more than a song
For a song in itself is not what you have required.
You search much deeper within
Through the way things appear;
You're looking into my heart.

I'm coming back to the heart of worship
And it's all about you
All about you Jesus.
I'm sorry Lord for the thing I've made it
When it's all about you,
All about you Jesus.

King of endless worth
No one could express
How much you deserve.
Though I'm weak and poor
All I have is yours, every single breath.

So, whatever our music taste may be, let's get back to the heart of loving God in the only way he deserves. As the old book says

" Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength". Mark 12:30

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