Music in church: how much is too much?
One of the ideas we’re tossing around in eXchange is to adjust the total musical response time we offer each week.
Right now we’re banging out six to eight songs after the teaching totaling 30 minutes or so of music.
We’re also hearing that some people are checking out three or four songs into that set.
My question to you is: how much music is too much for you? Do you just need some time at the altar then you’re good to go? Or, do you like extended musical worship time? Or is it something else entirely?
/s
Jesus follower.
Comment by Andy McMahon on January 30th, 2009
I don't know man. I think A LOT of music may overwhelm some people. There have definitely been times I was ready to go, but the musicians weren't. But there have been times I've been hungry for more.
To me, leaving early is awkward… Like, I feel like a heathen. Maybe, keep doing the long set, but say something like, "Feel free to stick around for extended worship" or something like that. So people don't feel "Forced" to participate in musical worship.
Or something else just hit me, add something else during the set.. another angle. Like, art, or movement to keep people in to it…
I'm not a creative director or anything, just another guy that goes to Praise our God. What do you think?
Comment by brent(inWorship) on January 30th, 2009
In my opinion,
I think amount is not as crucial as content and flow. It is easy to go through a bunch of songs and keep people engaged if the flow and content draw people into your message. Likewise, you can play 3 songs and people are done, cause the songs don't flow and don't lead.
Flow is huge. Music is dynamic and expressive. And all of that is a part of our worship and should be a part of the planning of a service.
It's not about videos and lights and the show, it's about flow.
Comment by Jen on January 30th, 2009
I think the answer to that question is going to differ greatly from person to person. For me personally, I love music and one of the ways I feel closest to God is when I'm worshiping Him through song. One of the reasons that kept me hanging around exchange when I first started going was the fact that you did so much singing. I've been to churches where they do the three and out. I'm not a fan.
I also agree with the statement that it has a lot to do with flow and content. Even though I love worship time, if the songs aren't ones that I enjoy, then I'm apt to check out. But you can't really base music choice on individual taste.
I would be sad to see exchange change the amount of music in the service. It's one of my favorite parts. But not everyone shares my love so that's a hard decision to make.
Comment by Pastor_T on January 30th, 2009
I'm currently working with the youth here and shaking things up a bit. The music at MCC played a large role in my sticking with a church. I'm trying to incorporate the MCC "flow" into what we do here and it is having amazing results. That music, along with prayer, softens the heart. We play our set before the message and I think the music plays a part in preparing them for the Word. After the message, more music and the heart of these kids are exploding with the love of Christ.
Don't get me wrong; It's all about God, but hearts weren't moving before and they are in record numbers now and all we did was extend the worship time and shuffle things around a bit.
Brent obviously knows what he's talkin about. It's all about the flow.
If I can add a little bias into my comment. As far as Exchange is concerned: It's not broke! No need to fix it! Awesome things happening in that place. I'd be scared to mess with it :-).
Comment by gracebridges on January 30th, 2009
If you're in the spirit, nothing's too long. If you're not, you might be bored from song one. Having said that, it can be hard to get in the spirit and that is NOT solely the leader's responsibility but each person's too.
And if you play a song I dislike there's nothing to be done about it I guess, nobody's at fault but it will throw me out in an instant. That would be songs with too much I and me and I feel and Touch me and I'm gonna and not enough actual worship – YOU ARE. It's about him, not us.
It's great that you offer extended worship time but perhaps tell folks they can leave at any point and go get coffee or whatever, if you can make a way for that to not interrupt the flow for those who stay.
Comment by Justin Hart on January 30th, 2009
I agree with Pastor_T. When I started attending MCC the music just hit me like a ton of bricks. I've been a part of several worship teams in the other churches that I've attended but I could tell that God was definitely working through the worship at MCC. The flow is great and the song choices are relevant to the message.
I think the length of the set, for me, is just about perfect. I have plenty of time to spend some time at the alter and then also some time just taking in the music and worshiping.
It really is a personal thing though, it is going to be different for different people. Thank you for your dedication and passion for leading people in worship, at times it can be difficult but you ARE making a difference in peoples lives.
Comment by Breezy on January 31st, 2009
Wow great question and great responses, I agree with everyone's comments. The flow, the suggestion about telling people to feel free to leave now or stay for extended music worship. I think music prepares the heart to receive God's word. It helps you let go of distracting things and concentrate on God. There is no way to please everyone all the time. I like all kinds of music, but I feel our church performs too many HARD ROCK Christian songs back to back. I would like to hear some softer, reverent songs.. mix it up a little more. I know it is hard for Sr citizens to stand through long music periods, where the younger crowd will stand the whole time with raised hands, but again making a comment letting everyone to feel free to stand or sit makes the ones that don't want to stand feel more at ease. Hopefully the music director and pastor can get a feel how the flow is working.,, and like Toby said if it is working don't change.
Comment by Jake on February 9th, 2009
I always felt we needed more than 1 song at the opening. I actually thought last night (2/8) was great. It set the tone for the night. You could acutally hear the group singing over the band, that's rare. I beleive a balance of before and after with songs matching the mood of the lesson would be great. As always, not everyone will be happy every night. Sometimes we forget the worship music isn't about us…
Comment by Erin on February 11th, 2009
I love to worship. I sometimes feel like we do not let the spirt lead enough. I've heard a comment from someone she said she wanted to pray and had it on her heart to pray for several people but was not able to concentrate. Your going to find we're all different and mixing it up a bit doesn't hurt a thing. I grew up singing at the begining, and then listening to the word. I kind of like having the songs at the end. Rocking it out at church is awesome. What does God want?
Comment by Adam on February 11th, 2009
I wouldn't change it. Some nights I'll be praying through the entire set. Other times, maybe 1-3 songs…just depends. But, I don't think alot of people are necessarily checking out. I know sometimes, I'll go out to the atrium and just reflect on the sermon, maybe talk to someone else out there in the atrium too.
You never know when there is someone in the congregation that really needs that entire time with God; the person that came to Church beat-up and broken-down (emotionally) that wants nothing more than time at the altar for as long as the music plays.
Honestly though, I wouldn't listen to any of our opinions. Take it to God , ask Him what is appropriate.
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