There's No Accounting for Taste

I'm in Myrtle Beach, SC on business now. Actually, Myrtle Beach is not a place that I'd likely come for pleasure. Probably because I grew up in Miami, a commercialized beach is the last place I want to hang out. My idea of a great beach is one where there's not much to do except hang out on the beach. I prefer to eat in, play cards, read aloud from some great book, etc.

But clearly there are folks - and LOTS of them, that dig a place like Myrtle Beach. There's lots to do here if you like doing stuff with crowds of people around you... Of course in the middle of January, one doesn't run into that problem as much, hence my presence in MB now...

I don't mean to imply that my way is the right way to enjoy the beach. I'm not a beach snob. Whatever rings your bell, go for it.

I think that church music falls into the same category as beaches. There's no morality (or even dare I say Theology) behind high or low church music. There are to be sure better song or hymn lyrics from a theological perspective, but the music itself really isn't theological (though I'm aware that there are still people who try to argue that it is). I'm in the midst of a church music 'discussion' at the moment. I'm chairman of the worship committee and we're having issues with our choir director. Some of them involve things like planning and punctuality (in my mind clearly employment behaviors that must be addressed), but others have to do with her musicality- specifically how she plays the organ.

We apparently have an amazing organ. This particular choir director can't play it the way it 'deserves' to be played. I have to smile when I hear sentiments like that. I guess because like with beaches, there's no accounting for taste. I don't mind the organ, but I'd rather hear the piano... I guess I'm a little low brow...

Problems arise when anyone (myself included) believe that what we like is the most God honoring, worship enhancing music, liturgy, style... fill in the blank.... Of course we want to do our best in worship. I frequently lead the liturgical portion of the service. I prepare for it so that I can do it well. The idea is to not draw attention to myself by stumbling over words. Those things can distract the congregation from what they're supposed to be doing - whether it's saying the liturgy, singing, whatever.

Music and preaching essentially strive to do the same - be "performed" or preached in such a way that the attention of the congregation is not diverted from the worship of God. When mistakes are made, folks can be distracted...

BUT...and this is a BIG BUT... ultimately, worship is not about the worshippers' experience at all. In worship, God is the audience (maybe it's going to far to say He's the 'consumer' or 'customer' or maybe not). God is not distracted by our mistakes or our lack of virtuosity. He's more concerned with the state of our hearts and motivations than with our taste or abilities. I'd venture to say that when we think we've 'performed' perfectly, He's smiling. Not derisively, but smiling nevertheless at our silliness.

So... high church, low church. Organ or piano. Polished performances or mediocre...with the right heart, it's all good.