Comments on: Healthy Tensions in Worship http://www.worshipmatters.com/2006/05/healthy-tension/ Resources for Leading Worship from Bob Kauflin Tue, 30 Sep 2008 23:55:53 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.6 By: sam poole http://www.worshipmatters.com/2006/05/healthy-tension/#comment-11738 sam poole Sun, 31 Aug 2008 01:01:56 +0000 http://www.worshipmatters.com?p=142#comment-11738 Fred, Is this the Fred from Riverside in Ft. Myers some 20+ years ago sam poole sep941aol.com Fred,

Is this the Fred from Riverside in Ft. Myers some 20+ years ago

sam poole
sep941aol.com

]]> By: Fred Freed http://www.worshipmatters.com/2006/05/healthy-tension/#comment-450 Fred Freed Thu, 11 May 2006 20:02:33 +0000 http://www.worshipmatters.com?p=142#comment-450 Hi Bob; The discussion on tensions is an exciting one, and definitely needful.It truly is a shame that when we speak of some of these differences we tend to polarize, or speak in terms of "either - or". I have heard for so long that worship must be balanced, and in in churches that call themselves "blended" in worship style, there is still much talk of balance and much fear of offending on one side or not stimulating on the other side. As I began to study what it might mean to have "balance", the Lord took me to a group of people who I believe to be more in tune with, more aware of, and more in need of balance than any other group of folks - tightrope walkers. These guys are masters of balance. And their key aid is a long pole that extends way out on both sides. Most churches try to acheive balance by bringing everything into some kind of perceived comfortable middle ground. They tone down the contemporary and jazz up the traditional. Etc., etc. I am coming to understand that what brings the best balance is both extremes. Ultra conservative, and ultra contemporary. Sometimes extememly reverent, and sometimes extremely celebrative. Sometimes a full band or orchestra, and sometimes acapella or a lone guitar or scant piano. This can be applied in a number of ways. The real point is exctly what you said - God is so vast and our understanding is so finite that what we might think are conflicting truths must be held in tension because both are truth, and both are needful. Thanks. I hope to see you in August. Fred, Knoxville TN Hi Bob;
The discussion on tensions is an exciting one, and definitely needful.It truly is a shame that when we speak of some of these differences we tend to polarize, or speak in terms of “either - or”.
I have heard for so long that worship must be balanced, and in in churches that call themselves “blended” in worship style, there is still much talk of balance and much fear of offending on one side or not stimulating on the other side. As I began to study what it might mean to have “balance”, the Lord took me to a group of people who I believe to be more in tune with, more aware of, and more in need of balance than any other group of folks - tightrope walkers. These guys are masters of balance. And their key aid is a long pole that extends way out on both sides.
Most churches try to acheive balance by bringing everything into some kind of perceived comfortable middle ground. They tone down the contemporary and jazz up the traditional. Etc., etc.
I am coming to understand that what brings the best balance is both extremes. Ultra conservative, and ultra contemporary. Sometimes extememly reverent, and sometimes extremely celebrative. Sometimes a full band or orchestra, and sometimes acapella or a lone guitar or scant piano. This can be applied in a number of ways. The real point is exctly what you said - God is so vast and our understanding is so finite that what we might think are conflicting truths must be held in tension because both are truth, and both are needful.
Thanks. I hope to see you in August.
Fred, Knoxville TN

]]> By: Bob Kauflin http://www.worshipmatters.com/2006/05/healthy-tension/#comment-449 Bob Kauflin Tue, 09 May 2006 21:38:49 +0000 http://www.worshipmatters.com?p=142#comment-449 Jeff, You asked: "Do you ever think that the music can overcome or distract from the message (words)?" In a word, absolutely. Music that is too loud, too complex, too disjointed, non-supportive, or poorly played can fail to serve the congregation by supporting God-centered, Christ-exalting lyrics. However, I think many people have erred in assuming that the simpler musical accompaniment is, the better. Reading through 1 Chronicles 15:16-24; 1 Chron. 25:1-8, and Psalm 150 doesn't give me the impression that music at the temple was always simple. I'll be sharing more on this in future posts. Jeff,

You asked:

“Do you ever think that the music can overcome or distract from the message (words)?”

In a word, absolutely. Music that is too loud, too complex, too disjointed, non-supportive, or poorly played can fail to serve the congregation by supporting God-centered, Christ-exalting lyrics. However, I think many people have erred in assuming that the simpler musical accompaniment is, the better. Reading through 1 Chronicles 15:16-24

; 1 Chron. 25:1-8

, and Psalm 150

doesn’t give me the impression that music at the temple was always simple. I’ll be sharing more on this in future posts.

]]> By: Phyllis http://www.worshipmatters.com/2006/05/healthy-tension/#comment-448 Phyllis Mon, 08 May 2006 17:31:09 +0000 http://www.worshipmatters.com?p=142#comment-448 Hi Bob, Came across your link at challies site. My husband is the pastor of a church in Western New York and the tension in worship you refer to has been very present in our hearts. When God opens peoples eyes to himself everything looks different, including worship. We are now questioning everything we do against the backdrop of God's glory. Is Worship intended to be corporate? If so, what place does a choir, soloist or ensemble have unless it is for the express purpose of leading the people to worship in song together for God's glory? How do you otherwise avoid the "entertainment" factor? Oh my gosh, I have many more questions, but I will restrain myself:) By the way, I loved the Valley of Vision post and the sentiments attached. Dave (my husband) and I very often refer to those incredibly "rich" prayers. I look forward to visiting your site for nuggets of worship wisdom!! God Bless! Hi Bob,
Came across your link at challies site. My husband is the pastor of a church in Western New York and the tension in worship you refer to has been very present in our hearts. When God opens peoples eyes to himself everything looks different, including worship. We are now questioning everything we do against the backdrop of God’s glory. Is Worship intended to be corporate? If so, what place does a choir, soloist or ensemble have unless it is for the express purpose of leading the people to worship in song together for God’s glory? How do you otherwise avoid the “entertainment” factor? Oh my gosh, I have many more questions, but I will restrain myself:)
By the way, I loved the Valley of Vision post and the sentiments attached. Dave (my husband) and I very often refer to those incredibly “rich” prayers. I look forward to visiting your site for nuggets of worship wisdom!!
God Bless!

]]> By: Mick http://www.worshipmatters.com/2006/05/healthy-tension/#comment-447 Mick Fri, 05 May 2006 11:32:48 +0000 http://www.worshipmatters.com?p=142#comment-447 Bob, Thanks so much for your part in the music at T4G! I was moved to tears literally every time we sang. It would have been a grave error to not have included singing. Thanks also for being so encouraging face-to-face. I was so grateful to God for allowing me to meet you there. Now I can't stop listening to the CD's I bought at CovLife (Cross Centered Life, Worship God Live, Awesome God, Upward, Not About the Music). In Christ, Mick (Brisbane, Australia) Bob,

Thanks so much for your part in the music at T4G! I was moved to tears literally every time we sang. It would have been a grave error to not have included singing.

Thanks also for being so encouraging face-to-face. I was so grateful to God for allowing me to meet you there.

Now I can’t stop listening to the CD’s I bought at CovLife (Cross Centered Life, Worship God Live, Awesome God, Upward, Not About the Music).

In Christ,
Mick (Brisbane, Australia)

]]> By: Jeff http://www.worshipmatters.com/2006/05/healthy-tension/#comment-446 Jeff Thu, 04 May 2006 21:35:31 +0000 http://www.worshipmatters.com?p=142#comment-446 Bob: Thanks for your work at the T4G conference. It was no small feat to bring men from such varied backgrounds into common worship. I agree with you that it was the truths we were singing that drove the worship. But the 3,000 voices certainly raised the affections as we heard brothers united in praise of our glorious Christ! One question related to your post: Do you ever think that the music can overcome or distract from the message (words)? Bob: Thanks for your work at the T4G conference. It was no small feat to bring men from such varied backgrounds into common worship. I agree with you that it was the truths we were singing that drove the worship. But the 3,000 voices certainly raised the affections as we heard brothers united in praise of our glorious Christ! One question related to your post: Do you ever think that the music can overcome or distract from the message (words)?

]]> By: Bob Kauflin http://www.worshipmatters.com/2006/05/healthy-tension/#comment-445 Bob Kauflin Thu, 04 May 2006 10:18:57 +0000 http://www.worshipmatters.com?p=142#comment-445 Keith, To find out more about the WorshipGod06 conference, you either click on the link in my post or go to www.WorshipGod06.com. Thanks for your interest. Keith,

To find out more about the WorshipGod06 conference, you either click on the link in my post or go to http://www.WorshipGod06.com. Thanks for your interest.

]]> By: Keith Reed http://www.worshipmatters.com/2006/05/healthy-tension/#comment-444 Keith Reed Thu, 04 May 2006 09:31:39 +0000 http://www.worshipmatters.com?p=142#comment-444 Hi Bob. Thank you for sharing your thoughts and dreams about what God is doing in your life. I would value more information about this worship conference. Could you assist me? Blessings! Hi Bob. Thank you for sharing your thoughts and dreams about what God is doing in your life. I would value more information about this worship conference. Could you assist me?
Blessings!

]]> By: Scott Hill http://www.worshipmatters.com/2006/05/healthy-tension/#comment-443 Scott Hill Wed, 03 May 2006 21:08:30 +0000 http://www.worshipmatters.com?p=142#comment-443 Bob, I am hoping to attend the conference in August with a couple of my musicians. I am really looking forward to this topic, because it is one that I have been dealing with personally for several months. Don't keep us waiting until August. You can go ahead and give us a taste now. Bob, I am hoping to attend the conference in August with a couple of my musicians. I am really looking forward to this topic, because it is one that I have been dealing with personally for several months. Don’t keep us waiting until August. You can go ahead and give us a taste now.

]]>