I’ve always found the phrase – “We’ve always done it this way” – annoying. I remember my parents (dad a clergyman, mom a church musician) using it when it came to church music and worship. Their form was an organ on one side, piano on the other with a choir in robes in the middle. They knew nothing different. No matter where we would attend, in a different town or state, the form of worship – as well as the nomenclature by leaders and worshippers – was identical. This was it for hundreds of years until the Jesus Movement (cr 1968-74) changed everything. Guitars, folk instruments and undergrads in casual clothing began to appear on church platforms. Many times these young, excited believers were escorted out of the church by older church leaders likely grumbling: “We’ve always done it this way.”
I hear the phrase still used today, but not by crotchety, balding believers of a greying generation. It is spoken by church leaders in their late 20s and early 30s. In place of pianos, organs and choir chairs the platforms are filled with drum cages, keyboard rigs and Stratocasters with effects pedals. Overhead are multi colored light rigs, massive video screens, smoke machines and video jib arms. While performing (oops…leading), a shoulder cam operator runs around the stage up into the faces of those performing (oops…there I go again…LEADING). When I talk with these young leaders, to suggest perhaps using an ancient creed – or a variety of instrumentation – or responsive reading of scripture – or an acapella every demographic knows (like Amazing Grace without added lyrics from last year’s “radio worship artist” release), here comes the phrase: “We’ve always done it this way.” Like my parents, they know nothing different. Today, no matter where I attend, in a different town or state, the form of worship – as well as the nomenclature by leaders and worshipers – is identical.
Where we are in the “worship cycle” is the youth group rock bands of church basements from 15-20 years ago have come of age. They are now the decision makers in charge of church budgets. What used to be relegated to youth groups, with dilapidated gear from teenage bedrooms, is now polished, front and center. The vibe is: “we’re in charge now, and we’re gonna do this right.” Just like my parents, the current form is all they’ve known.
Increasingly normal is the online streaming of these worship services (oops…”worship experiences.”) Technology has perfected to allow local church platforms to be viewed online for millions of unnamed, unknown, un-faced fans. Many leaders have told me because their online audiences are exponentially larger than their local congregation, onliners are the group they are actually playing to. The attending congregants are now the studio audience for the larger group, somewhere out there watching and giving offerings on their phones.
What an interesting age in which we are doing church. Even though some young families are walking away to start home churches to “do life together,” the current form is firmly established. A cursory historic observation reveals that trends cycle because of a movement, started in spite of the church’s instituted ways, and usually under the church’s nose. No one knows when or where the next movement will start or how it will bring change. But why it will start is likely found behind the phrase: “We’ve always done it this way.”
“All that now is will be forgotten in the days to come.” Ecclesiastes 2:16
Singer/Songwriter/Speaker/Author Danny Byram has performed on over 100 US military installations worldwide. He toured South Korea 15 times & has performed/spoken to US troops in Iraq, Kuwait, Bahrain, Europe, Central America, South America, the Pacific Rim and aboard many surface vessels. His work earned him the name “The Combat Musician.” Danny produced and directed 26 Promise Keepers Stadium Events for men, including the Clergy Conference (largest gathering of clergy in history) and co-directed Stand In The Gap, Washington DC, which drew over a million men to the National Mall. He produced and directed 36 FamilyLife Arena Events for couples working alongside Marantha! Music and Integrity Inc. Danny and Angela Byram live in Colorado and have 3 adult children and two grandsons.
Photos: Top: Rachel Lynette French@rachellynette Middle: Abigail Lynn@shmabbss
Danny, in 2006 it took only 3 visits to Lookout for me to search out someone to tell me who, when and how the worship was planned. A retired pastor who always sought to make worship a connection to God and to the lesson of the day, I was blown away by the masterful execution of worship leadership, as opposed to performance. Thanks for your insight about worship experience today. For us old folks it can be very difficult to see worship in new sounds, new words (emotional) and instruments associated with radio stations we never listen to. But you got it so right!
Mike, wow. Thanks for your kind words. Important for us leaders to know that when we are least aware of it, people are watching us and paying attention. Especially us “music types.” I love to perform and use performance in the service of leading people to worship. We all have to make sure what we are doing is reaching the goal: congregants participating and not just observing. Blessings.
Danny Bro. , I have read your book. It seems to me that your target audiences are the leaders of the Uber contemporary churches. I attend an Anglican church with many who were with us at the church that you describe on page 155 (Sweet Home Alabama). Much has happened since then and our church is now much higher in worship. I gave your book to our music director, organist and I had to tell him to skip the first part because he already knows that. But he does need to pay attention to what you say about the music and making it singable. But I realized he wasn’t going to read that far in the book until I told him to skip to page 155. I hope he does. And I hope I can get you back to Montgomery to teach these folks some of the things that you know, like we did 20 years ago.
Doug, thanks for your comments. Wallpaper Worship is found on the liturgical side when the leaders bore the congregants by not having any life in the liturgy. The Anglican liturgy is so ALIVE with power, color and spirit, when it is led in spirit and truth! Yes! Sweet Home Alabama section was written from your old church in Alabama! I’ll never forget the liturgy given in full spirit and truth. What a sweet experience. As much as I love fog, lights, sound – it wasn’t needed! Blessings.
Danny, red WW and sent it along to my worship pastor, waiting to hear from him. Thoughtful, challenging and clear.
I think you have more in you to share with us, get busy, we need your insight for the past, your passion for the present and prophetic gift for the future.
Hodges, thanks for the encouraging word on Wallpaper Worship. Stay tuned! More to come…
I grew up in a Baptist church in the Midwest, and was a teen during the period of transformation you describe. I legitimately came to Jesus in that church, everyone sang during the “song service”, (for what that was worth), and, yes, I actually did connect with God during those times. But I and my peers generally found “church music” as a form to be unexciting compared to what we were hearing outside the church.
It was a welcome development to see a guitar on the church platform, to me as a young person. It enabled me to worship “in my own language.”
Bottom line, I agree with you in that its’ not about the form. It’s about relational connection with, and heart expression toward, God. “We’ve always done it this way” will always be a lame standard.
Question: During the 70s I started hearing about something called “Convergence Worship,” which sought to incorporate the ancient and the new. I thought it sounded intriguing and exciting. I’ve stopped hearing about it. Do you know what happened? If so, I’d like to see a post on that.
Scott, thanks for your comments. Hmmm. Convergence Worship. Have to research that one! But good to know your personal experience. And you’re right. It’s so not about form, no matter the form! Jesus makes that clear in his conversation in John 4 with the Samaritan woman. Blessings.
Danny…this you already know about we two, who are easily in the listing of “DB’s Top Ten Fans!!!!!!!!!!” In a couple of weekends I will be doing a men’s retreat at the place where you and I first met…and we two will always be thankful for all the decades, weeks, hours and minutes of friendship we have shared. Prayers of thanks go up this day to cover you and your bride with all the blessing you need…right now.