Lights Out

I must admit I have been wondering for quite a while why we, as worship leaders (and I include myself because on Sunday nights for UCHURCH at Lee University we do the same thing), want to turn the house lights off during the congregational singing portion of our corporate worship.  I get to visit churches all over the US, and many of them are turning the house lights off or really dim when the congregation is singing together worship songs to and about God.

I understand cool effects and the visual generation within we live.  My concern rests in the fact that the only place in the New Testament music in worship is discussed at any length, Paul clearly communicates that we are to, speak (sing) to one another Psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs.”  The last church I visited had the house so dark I am sure no one was speaking to me in the congregation.  There are times in our UCHRCH services I want the technical artists to turn the house lights up so I can see who I am leading and worshipping with in the room.  

I am also not against performance music or artistic use of intelligent lighting to bring about a visual effect that directs people’s attention to Christ.  But in the past few experiences, it seemed the dark house and cool lighting effects were to bring some sort of attention to the worship leaders on stage.  It almost makes me think we are heading back to the middle ages where the worship was taken out the hands of the congregation and performed on behalf of the people by the priests.  

I am consistently reminded by the words of the late Robert Webber.  Webber says, “Worship is a verb.  It is not something done for you or to you, but by you.”

I realize that most churches are doing this because some church growth person said if you do really cool music with a light show, people will come.  However, all I read about this current generation tells me they want two things more than anything.  First, they want authentic leadership in worship.  Second, because of all the virtual relationship sites current technology has afforded, they are looking for true community.  

If a church provides quality music that is current and authentic along with a developing community, the church will grow.  It will not grow because it is attracting all those who are unhappy with the church they currently attend, but it will grow because there are hundreds or thousands of people searching for authentic community.  If we provide it, and build relationships with those who do not know Jesus like we know Him, they will come, and their lives could change forever.  

I love the use of the technical arts in corporate worship.  But I think those of us in creative worship planning must keep in mind that our job is to illuminate Jesus.  If our methods are just for a cool factor, are we really doing what God has called us to accomplish?  Cool for cool sake might just make us feel better about a sub-par musical performance.  Well thought out creative use of technological arts just might help someone see Jesus for the first time.

Just some thoughts.