| PRAISE-WORSHIP MUSIC MINISTRY |
Our Praise and Worship Band leads us before the Lord every Sunday morning with a contemporary, joyful, dynamic sound and with uncompromising reverence.
Worship Together
Bob Kauflin
http://worshipmatters.blogs.com/bobkauflin/
This article is an excerpt from Bob Kauflin’s Blog.
If you think God cares about what we sing in the church, then you'll eventually face this problem.
First, check your heart. I know this can sound redundant, but I have too much indwelling sin still hanging around to bypass a heart-check. I'm not the ultimate authority on worship songs, and shouldn't view myself as the "pontiff of praise," as one of my friends mockingly referred to me at a conference. I've often assumed that someone suggesting a song means they're unsatisfied with the songs we've been doing. That's sinful judgment. Whatever my response, I want to speak graciously, humbly, and clearly.
Second, thank them for taking the time to suggest a song to sing. It's great when people in the congregation actually care enough to offer an opinion. They've apparently encountered God in some way while singing a song, and they want others to have the same opportunity.
Third, ask the person what they liked about the song. It may be that a particular line addressed a specific situation they're going through. The song might have have given them words to express what was in their heart. It's possible that they were unaware of a problematic line or a general lack of content. They also might have just enjoyed the sound of the band or the catchiness of the melody. We don't know unless we ask.
If I haven't heard the song, I'd get a copy and listen to it, and tell them I'd get back to them. It might be good to get some other opinions as well. Once I know the song, I'd commend what I can about it. Then I'd attempt to explain why I don't think it would be a good choice for us (unless my thoughts had changed). I try not to say these kinds of things hesitantly or apologetically. I want to focus on goals we agree on. We both want to see God glorified, Jesus Christ exalted, and God's people affected with his splendor and majesty. If I don't think a particular song does that well, I need to explain why. I don't want to simply dismiss a song because "I don't like it." There have been numerous songs I don't particularly like that God has used to minister to people. However, just because a song is popular doesn't mean it's good or the best song for us to use
