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Worship and Opinion Polls
opinion polls as the spiritual compass for corporate worship. WORSHIP AND OPINION POLLS The opinion poll [has too often become] the substitute for genuine theological and musical leadership. When will we learn that the newest and most popular is not always the best vehicle (nor is the old, necessarily) to carry the eternal, the character forming, the authentic praise of all the people with all our best and sacrificial gifts? Personal opinions are not God. "Growing" congregations are not God. Charismatic pastors and winsome worship leaders are not God. Church buildings are not God. Worship forms and musical styles are not God. Numbers are not God. Educational programs are not God. Service projects are not God, nor are women’s groups, youth groups, church councils, or stewardship schemes. The vocation of all of these is to praise God in the Trinity’s absolute sovereignty and sympathy, mercy and might. If any of the above move away from that calling, it is idolatry, a case of fallen powers. People object, "But our congregation might decline if we don’t use the new music" (or whatever else becomes an idolatry). So??? The issue is not whether one’s numbers stay up. The issue is for what reason they are declining. Is it a lack of hospitality, a loss of focus, a rejection of the Church’s true calling, a failure to make Christ’s presence known? OF COURSE we should use new music—but only if it praises God better (which it often does!). — Marva J. Dawn, POWERS, WEAKNESS, AND THE TABERNACLING OF GOD. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 2001, p. 117. ISBN 0-8028-4770-6 [For other provocative thoughts on worship by Marva Dawn, please refer to the WQOTW author index found at www.wqotw.org/WQOTW_index.htm.] Have a great week, Chip Stam Director, Institute for Christian Worship School of Church Music and Worship Southern Baptist Theological Seminary Louisville, Kentucky www.carlstam.org www.sbts.edu |