Being consumed with the perpendicular pro-noun.

I was at a Church service in the middle of March. It was at Findlay Memorial. And it really got me thinking. The sermon from Michael made me think about two things. Two things which I have thought about in the past, but when you are involved in leading a congregation in praise, two things which are useful to examine on a regular basis.

• What songs do we use in times of praise? Are the songs that we (the body or congregation) are using, songs that tell us very little about God but lots about ourselves?
  and
• What do we want to achieve during our times of praise, in light of what Praise and worship truly is (the celebration of God, earnest in prayer and intense in song)?

These issues need careful exploration and what I am about to write doesn’t answer them, either directly or sufficiently. I just wanted to put them out there, giving fuel for thought. Thousands of words could be, have been and probably will be written on what corporate praise and worship is all about and I would encourage you to explore as many of these musings as you can, allow them to ruminate in your thought processes, but in all your enquiries look to the bible and follow its example in everything.

I have though, been thinking about the role of the worship leader regarding the personal pro-noun in corporate praise. We need to remember times of praise are not about us. Worship leaders have a responsibility to make worshippers aware of this, and sustain this train of thought with those that come under our ministry and guidance. I also feel that we often need to remind and examine ourselves ‘personally’ regarding this as well. The calling to facilitate others, and lead them in collective praise must be met with a humble heart. It is to the humble that God gives grace; and He will oppose those who are proud (James 4:6). Leading praise in order to achieve self glorification comes from a proud heart, it is about an audience of one, not two, the congregation should never be seen as our audience. We are reminded that being of such heart is not just a matter of concern; it is in direct opposition to God. “Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall” (Proverbs 16:18)

James 4:6 may well have been referring to the rich people caught up with the world that surrounded them in 1st century Jerusalem. Nevertheless it still alludes to the opposition God shows to our human single minded devotion. If pride in general is opposing to God then how much more must it annoy God when a worship leader takes some of the praise that should be exclusively for Him.

First and foremost corporate praise is not for the worship leader. Primarily corporate praise is not for the worshiper. Above all corporate praise is for God alone.

P.S This is a bit random but quite appropriate. As sad as it sounds I often use dictionary.com to find out what some big words mean that I don’t quite understand, in doing this I can sometimes take a mild obsession to their ‘word for the day’. It was very interesting that today’s word for the day was ‘Paean’, pronounced PEE-uhn, and although phonetically sounding like something which someone may do at the side of the road, a paean is actually a joyous song of praise, triumph or thanksgiving. This was very interesting considering the above post, which I was writing at the time. Although I suppose Psalms, Hymns and Spiritual Paean’s doesn’t quite have the same ring to it, does it?