Mark sent me a link the other day to the comment that is below. Basically a Crystal Lewis fan was asking if she would record a worship album and this was her response:
"I know 'worship' music has become very popular, and I enjoy singing so many of the new songs at my church during our music/worship/response time. And while I love many of those songs, and older songs too, I've always considered my records to be 'worship' records. At least they are for me."
So this got me thinking: Have we as a church categorized "worship" music to mean 1 thing? Do we only see "worship" music as the "simpler music we sing on Sundays that a lot of people can sing together"? If so, then we're SO wrong AND in dangerous territory. Crystal is right - her music, Switchfoot's music, Jaci Velasquez's music, and Jars of Clay's music is just as much worship music as the songs we sing on Sunday - old and new.
Who says that songs like "You Are Good," "I Command My Soul," "Here I Am to Worship," and "He is Exalted" get to define what "worship" music is?
To worship is to honor, to pay homage, to adore. If Crystal is using her music to express her adoration for God, then it is worship music. On the flip side, if Random Artist sings a song that really isn't out of his love for God, but more out of love of getting money, even if the song is "inspirational," that doesn't make it worship.
I don't think anyone would disagree w/ me on that. So I'll take it one step further: I think that we (Christians) have gone too far in categorizing music. Gospel, CCM, Worship, CCR (contemporary christian rock), Inspirational, Black music, White music.
Because we put labels on EVERYTHING, the labels start to define the thing. For example: Gospel music has come to mean "black music." Let me just say that Black man singing about Jesus does not equal "gospel" music. In fact, if "the gospel" means "the good news," (about Jesus) then a lot of what we've labeled "gospel music" isn't truly gospel. Can anyone say "sounding brass and clanging cymbals?"
And what the heck do "Black Music" and "White Music" mean?!!! Or if I sing "Inspirational" music (example: I believe I Can Fly), does that mean I'm straddling the fence or something?
I know. The Saints are going to have a fit if they get ahold of this. But I just think that it's time we start being careful what we say, careful what we label and careful WHO we label. It could do more damage than good.
That's all I'm sayin...What do you think? Am I crazy?
1 comment:
I have to say... this year's Jamfest has really opened my eyes as to what worship really is. The culture of Jamfest has been eating carpet, lay prostrate type of out pour of worship. So when selecting the Da' Truth, leadership was anxious to see how that element was still going to translate.
But when Da Truth took the stage, I was enlightened to a new form of worship. To see the young people lifting their hands to Hip Hop... and giving God glory, was truly eye opening. I knew all was pleased with this generation. I believe Da' Truth's music is worship music.
I agree Dionna... labels will get you in trouble. When I'm sure God would laugh that we consider some artist Worship Leaders. Ok... I'm going to stop!
Great BLOG!
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