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It's sad but true: Most of us are playing it safe when it comes to releasing genuine creativity in corporate worship.
 As I've traveled throughout Asia, Africa, New Zealand, North America, Europe and the United Kingdom, I hear this heart cry--"there must be more"--expressed by most of the Christian artistic community I meet. The amount of pain and brokenness in these artists who've been misunderstood by the church is overwhelming. And the intensity of their desire to see the church move into areas of creativity and excellence that will make an impact--in the church and the world--is almost too much for them to bear.
Yes, we have made attempts, and some among us have taken great risks and have given courage to others to step out in their creativity. But across the vast expanse and expression of the church, we are playing it safe.
What incited Miriam to release dance to her people (Ex. 15:20)? What touched the harp of David and calmed the demons tormenting Saul (1 Sam. 16:23)? What stirred in the musician that would release the prophetic word in the unwilling prophet Elisha (2 Kings 3:15-19)? What angst overcame David and others that released the heart cry expressed in their psalms?
What sound filled the room as the church worshiped and a prophetic word released Paul and Barnabas into their worldwide ministry (Acts 13:2)? What awesome pageantry of motion, color and light now fills the throne room of God (Rev. 4)?
There must be more.
Much has taken place in the worldwide church that has brought an awareness of the significance of worship and intimacy with God. But in many ways we have just scratched the surface of worship expression. When will we touch a dynamic in creativity that not only changes the church but also draws a lost world into the power of the intimacy that worship reflects?
There are several things that the community of believers must look at and wrestle through in the context of their worship expression to find this "more." Of course, there is no uniform, best way to worship. But every denomination and local expression of the church must wrestle with root issues of liturgy and what it looks like for them.
Leaders must consider:
1. Cultural expression--what is redeemable?
More wars have been fought over this issue than almost anything else in the church. Whether it is "African beat," alternative sound or the place of dance, issues of culture must be addressed. Godly parameters and godly freedom must be encouraged if we are to remain relevant and real to new generations within the church and the world that is watching.
It is critical that we know at the local church and even at the denominational level what our "style" and preferences are and the reasons for them. There is much room in the church for artistic expression, and each church will find its niche.
2. Religious restraints--what is acceptable?
Leaders need to take a good, long look to discern what has become just empty religious ritual in their worship expression and what has the life of God in it. Again, the heart is the critical matter. Even in very rigid liturgical settings, the heart of what set that thing in place initially can be rediscovered and released with life in the corporate worship experience.
Leaders must also ask how the parameters of expression in their liturgy may be hindering creativity and the ability to take an artistic risk. To take creativity out of the liturgy is to eventually draw all life out of worship. Sooner or later it will become just form.
3. Financial expense--what is enough?
We need to put our money where our mouths are. This is more than just a funding issue. Leaders must determine how much of their resources they are willing to put toward cultivating the artistic community within their congregations. Remember, in the greatest era of the arts for the church, most artists had patrons.
Additional factors--the way a building is designed, what is done with the sound system and so on--should also reflect the type of expression a church is cultivating. These factors signal the level of importance that expression of worship has in the church.
4. Performance vs. heart--what are we here for?
This question has confused church leadership and artists for some time. The church must be a safe enough place that we can work these things through without religious walls being thrown up on the one hand and artistic pride casting seeds of rebellion on the other.
Again the heart is the issue. We cannot assume at an artistic level that church government is anti-creative, nor can we at a leadership level assume that creativity is self-seeking. Open hearts and a place of safe dialogue are essential.
5. The need for simplicity--what is too much?
One thing we cannot lose in the pursuit of creativity and excellence is the people we are trying to draw to the Lord. At the heart of corporate worship needs to be simplicity so all may enter into what is being released.
But again, we can't assume that this negates all creative expression and even expertise in certain areas. Often, one released to express his area of strength will inspire all to their highest level of participation. Time and space must be found for expression--for the common good.
David Ruis pastors a Vineyard church in Winnipeg, Manitoba. He has recorded several worship albums with Vineyard Music. |
