Let the Show Begin . . . and End!

June 25, 2007

While in Houston for the past two Sundays, I visited local churches that worship through contrasting styles. One, in the Clear Lake area, has a very contemporary feel to it, and the other, on the western side of Houston, a very traditional bent. My intention in writing about my two worship experiences is not to critique either’s style or content, because I believe there were many people, in each of these, who experienced the presence of God through the elements of worship, or perhaps in spite of them.

I write today more about my own struggle with the performance element that is inherently present in all styles of worship, and, in my opinion, competes with any and all attempts to focus one’s attention on the nature and presence of the Lord God.

I did not speak with those who planned or led in either of these services, but I do believe that both would say they work very hard at NOT being performance-oriented. The contemporary worshipping church would, I think, say that they do not focus lighting on the back-up singers, that they do not rehearse their prayers or their sermons, that they are conversational rather than presentational, and that everything they do, say, and sing, is about God, not about themselves.

The traditional church, on the other hand, would, I think, say that the individual is de-emphasized (there were no solos, only choral and congregational singing), that the prayers offered are well-thought and relative, that the hymns used are time-tested, and that the message was very pointed and narrative, but relational, and even folksy. Though robes were worn by the choir, and suits or dresses by the greeters, pray-ers, and readers, every attempt was made to be warm and personal.

My problem is that, in both cases, it felt like I was attending a performance. I know what you’re thinking—that it’s the heart of the person sitting in the pew that determines whether or not worship happens. Surely there is an element of truth in that. But as I sat in these two services, I kept asking the question, “What makes it feel like performance? Is there something inherent in the physical set-up that contributes to this feel of performance? And perhaps, most importantly, are there things we can do to diminish the feel of “show”.

Please keep in mind that, when I’m not attending a performance, I am performing.) There is always, by the very nature of corporate worship, an element of performance in worship leadership. And the presenter (performer), by his very performance, can and often does help worshippers into the presence of God.

Perhaps the liturgical tradition best counters the performance aspect of worship in its physical lay-out and design. The split chancel, in which the choir, in two sections, faces inward rather than the toward the congregation, diminishes the performance aspect. And worship leaders who speak from one side of the platform or the other, rather than from “center-stage”, does the same. A central focal point (altar, cross, stained glass, etc) replaces the performer.

Of course, the content presented and the heart of the worship leader is a major factor in diminishing the performance aspect, but as I “watched” the soloists and singers in the contemporary service, and I “watched” the choir members and speakers in the traditional service, I couldn’t help but wonder how worship might be enhanced if I could focus my eyes on something that reminded me of who God is, while I listened to music that pointed me to God and reminded me of my need to know Him.

After all, it’s not a show, is it?

Care-full-y,
Rick Carpenter