Hiding The Worship Band

Last night we had our monthly Creative Team Night at Calvary. We did some really cool things, but the coolest for me was hiding the entire worship team in a back prayer room. That’s right, we fit me on acoustic and mic, backup vocalist, keyboard player, cajon player with click control and a bass player on talkback all in the tiny, little room next to the stage. And instead of people looking at a band, they were centered around a giant cross hanging in the middle of the room (pictured above). It was different to say the least. I’m sure the people worshipping in the sanctuary benefited from this in one way or another (I mean, I’m not completely sure, I wasn’t in there!). I do know that I as the worship leader completely did. I felt as if it forced me to truthfully worship God, to sing the lyrics I was singing with authenticity. Not that I didn’t do this before, but my sensitivity to what I was singing and how I was singing it was heightened. There was no concern for stage presence or looking good or making sure I was connecting with the crowd. And although there’s importance to be found in these things, to take a break from it for once was refreshing. It re-aligned my perspective, I guess you could say.

I’ve heard some guys say they think the band should always be hidden. I’m not so sure that would be the most appropriate way to approach the worship experience in church. I could see how it can be beneficial in certain contexts. At the same time, I believe it’s important to lead the people in worship. I mean, can you lead someone without them seeing you? I guess under some circumstances you could, but I believe leading a congregation of people in the act of worshipping God requires some form of visible leadership and example. When I was in that back room, I didn’t quite feel comfortable to tell the people “Let’s sing that chorus again!” or “C’mon, sing it out!” I would need to look at them in order to talk to them. Or if you were teaching a church full of new believers how to worship, how would they know to clap their hands or raise them in surrender to God if they never saw the leader doing it? I suppose they would discover it in the Bible sooner or later. Still, I think visible leadership in the context of church worship is very important and even necessary.

Definitely some things to ponder. Thanks for reading!