Comments on: Poll Wrap Up: Non-Christians in worship bands?

By: saphron watson

saphron watson — Wed, 02 Feb 2011 16:06:01 +0000

Maybe we can see now why there are no miracles in the Church if we are attracting musicians or pastors who are self serving!

By: Saphron Watson

Saphron Watson — Wed, 02 Feb 2011 16:04:10 +0000

Why would I want to play for a religion if I am an athiest! Where in the bible did it say that we must worship with unbelievers? During the 'praise and worship' how is it these athiet are not convicted of sin? What source then are we in touch with that we can go off into tongues and yet worship alongside with someone who is not in the slightest effected by this divine presence?

I would not want to play the piano for a witches coven why would athiest musicians be attracted to the Church? What does that say about the power behind us?

By: Kyle Campos

Kyle Campos — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 19:51:48 +0000

"One issue I have with your post is that you seem to be making the assumption that a Christian would be more mature than a non-believer. This sounds borderline arrogant to me. It's been my experience playing on a music team with non-Christians and Christians that Christians are just as prone to a lack of maturity as non-Christians."

I don't think you using maturity the same way I am. I mean spiritual maturity, not practical life maturity. I'm placing highest value on spiritual maturity, not musical maturity.

By: Brett

Brett — Mon, 08 Mar 2010 16:30:13 +0000

I definitely think having non-Christians on a music team will depend on your church and its calling. One issue I have with your post is that you seem to be making the assumption that a Christian would be more mature than a non-believer. This sounds borderline arrogant to me. It's been my experience playing on a music team with non-Christians and Christians that Christians are just as prone to a lack of maturity as non-Christians.

Also, I think you have to look at your vision for your worship team. It would be silly to expect a non-Christian to lead spiritually on the team. But I don't think that's why you would bring them on the team. You would bring them on the team so they can experience Christian community and hopefully encounter God.

It's an interesting discussion. There are definitely no easy answers and I think it will depend on the vision and mission of your church. I'm not sure there is on definitive answer across all ministries.

By: Dan

Dan — Fri, 02 Oct 2009 16:59:28 +0000

I realize this an old blog post and i read the poll comments and this post, with its comments. What I would have liked to see, and didn't, was the question measured against the standard of the NT church for service in the church. That's a crying shame.

By: Jason

Jason — Sat, 06 Sep 2008 02:47:10 +0000

As an agnostic who abandoned all organized religion years ago, I’ll play “devil’s advocate.” (Couldn’t resist the pun!) I had been growing weary with Christianity throughout the years surrounding my confirmation (around middle school in my Lutheran church). Sometimes I was moved by the ideals and what felt like a spiritual experience, sometimes I just felt trapped and oppressed. I don’t want to debate the legitimacy of your religion (I believe we all have our own paths to God,) but I will say that after years of turning away to the point of total atheism, joining a church (Methodist) band with some of my friends in high school brought really made me think. I joined more for fun and company than anything, and being around these people inspired me to adopt these Christian ideals, which became somewhat of a personal struggle. I gained a respect for Christ and the beliefs of his followers, but I eventually drifted away as I came to my own conclusions that my relationship between God and I did not require I hold specific beliefs. Anyway, the band I was in was most certainly not based on your criteria. There were others who were of more questionable character and intention than I, and the church was eager to welcome us – one, simply for the sake of the band, justified by the fact that the music might draw more young people into church – and two, that the band members who weren’t committed to Christ (as well as their friends and peers of similar mind) might be drawn to the religion through constant exposure.
Just my thoughts.

By: Jeff

Jeff — Thu, 31 Jul 2008 12:48:45 +0000

Washington: If they really wanted to lead a congregation into the presence of God, the answer would be yes. But trying to lead a congregation into the presence of a God they don’t believe in and serve? Trying to lead the congregation in the worship of a God they don’t worship? Regardless of whether we give permission, they need to go there first before they can lead others. Only by worshiping can you lead worship, otherwise you’re just directing worship from the outside.

It would usually be more analogous to a paralyzed man wanting to help build the wall.

By: Washington

Washington — Wed, 30 Jul 2008 00:15:12 +0000

What happened when non-Jews wanted to help Nehemiah build the wall in Jerusalem?

What then should our response be when non-Christians want to help us lead a congregation into the presence of God?

By: Kyle

Kyle — Tue, 29 Jul 2008 18:41:17 +0000

Jeff, I understand what you mean. How do you think or how do you make a clear distinction between “leading” worship and just playing? That’s where the rubber hits the road for me, I know how it’s done from a church standpoint, but from a person in the congregation standpoint I don’t think they easily see that distinction.

So as you might have sensed in my post, I’ve ceased segregating the band in that sense, I view everyone in the band leading in worship though there is 1 band leader who is guiding the music and and congregation vocally. I do place an even higher expectation on band leaders, but my minimum requirement for all players is what I outlined in the post. That being said I know exactly the circumstance you refer to, having been part of many of those on both sides actually, inviter and invitee. I’ve just been convicted with always modeling what we value and to stop making excuses why I don’t always do that. And by values I mean character and calling above gifting.

By: Ryan

Ryan — Tue, 29 Jul 2008 14:24:51 +0000

Kyle – thanks for this. A very well thought-out reason for integrity and high standards on our worship teams. Makes sense to me.

By: Jeff

Jeff — Mon, 28 Jul 2008 23:59:33 +0000

I think there’s a continuum between ‘disbeliever’ and ‘christian’, where people do believe christianity in a factual sense and are actively being drawn closer to him and even though they haven’t decisively committed, God is already transforming their lives. And if they are somewhere in there, it can be possible for them to worship to a certain extent, so as long as there’s a clear distinction that they’re not leading worship, even if you do let them play a guitar, then it can in some occasions be beneficial. It’s definitely not OK in all, most, or even very many cases, and such a person should never be a permanent fixture in the band, but I believe those confluences do happen on rare occasions where it is possible to answer that question.

By: Pastor Aaron

Pastor Aaron — Mon, 28 Jul 2008 21:25:13 +0000

I may not be the best unbiased person to comment on this post because I am one of the elders that sets standards for leadership in our church. But I must say kyle… I was impressed with the logic behind your argument. I must say character is key!