December 12 2008
Letter to pastors: Stop complaining about worship songs
Tagged Under : Bob Kauflin, church, Jonathan Dodson, songwriting, the Resurgence, theology, worship
Recently Jonathan Dodson wrote an article at Resurgence talking about why many worship songs about God’s love are cheap. Jonathan’s main complaint is against “Jesus is my boyfriend” worship songs that in his eyes paint at the very least a narrow and more likely inaccurate view of why God loves us. His contention is we must understand the anger and justice of God to fully understand his love and that God is almighty God, not our boyfriend. I agree 100% with what Jonathan says, I don’t think we know God’s love unless we understand grace and to understand that we need to understand justice and how it meets on the cross.
I also agree with Bob Kauflin when he talked about the importance of theology to musicians and songwriters. There are plenty of bad worship songs theologically, there are plenty I won’t play that are good musically but not lyrically. I think most can agree on that point, maybe not the specific criteria since our theology will differ, but at least that there are bad worship songs that shouldn’t be played.
But here’s the trend and attitude that’s bothering me as a worship leader, elder and songwriter and let me put this in big bold letters and address pastors directly.
Dear pastors,
1 song can’t explain every aspect of God’s character
If given the task to write a 4-5 minute worship song of God’s love I’m not going to be able to explain the full story of original sin, God’s wrath, the incarnation, death on the cross and resurrection. It’s just not possible to hit the entire story of scripture in a song. So please stop evaluating each and every song with the entirety of scripture and God’s character as the measuring stick. If given the opportunity you could find theological omission in every song ever written. And if we followed your critique we wouldn’t have any songs to sing.
I don’t have 45 minutes to go through each hermeneutic method, to explore the greek and hebrew texts and talk about the historical and cultural context inside my song. I know you do every Sunday at your pulpit as you should, that’s what we need you for, to guide, teach and encourage us theologically. But I as a worship leader and songwriter operate under different restrictions, many shared but many not.
Totality of the worship song rotation should bring theological context
Each individual song will only illuminate a very narrow aspect of God’s character, it will direct our worship in a way that seems theologically narrow when viewed in isolation. Just as if I took a 4-5 minute segment of your sermon it may seem theologically narrow. I know you guys complain about You Tube videos taking you out of context, yet you frequently turn around and do the same to your worship leaders.
Let worship leaders build a rotation of worship songs that glorify and exalt Jesus in different ways, all for who He is that together gives the body a faithful representation of Christ and his church. If you think you need a song that talks about justice, don’t tear down the songs about mercy, just have your worship leader write or introduce a song about justice. The problem isn’t too many songs about mercy and grace, it’s too few about justice and propitiation. (there aren’t too many poetic ways to rhyme with propitiation, that may be why)
In conclusion, elders, pastors, theologians, work with your worship pastors, encourage them, pray for them, give them ideas on new songs that will fill in the theological gaps of your worship. Stop making fun of all the songs and let’s write more good ones. Being a critic is cheap, being a faithful artist is challenging and worship leaders need your support.
Sincerely,
Worship Leaders
Podcast - 
Facebook
Twitter
Soundcloud
Stumbleupon
Linked In
Vimeo
You Tube
Contact
Loading ...
Amen!!!
Word.
Great letter, and very true. There’s a killer chapter in John Witvliet’s book “Worship Seeking Understanding” called “Soul Food for the People of God.” In it, Witvliet talks about the wide range of songs needed for a healthy theological diet in the worship life of the church. Check it out – it’ll add a bit to this conversation. Witvliet is brilliant, and the whole book is worth reading.
Good Word!!! ohhhh good word (You have to picture that in the voice of John Hanson though)
As a future pastor and missionary, I have to agree with this almost entirely. We need to build up the body, not “bite and devour” each other. Also, I think these thoughts gave too much credit to what a pastor is able to accomplish in 45 minutes. Yes, we who have the privilege of more time have the opportunity to teach more fully in one session. But even then, our sermons are limited and can never fully describe our God and all His wonderful qualities. If one sermon on its own falls short, then we should not be too quick to critique those who have only five minutes or less to make a point.
Mike: I’ll have to check that book out, sounds interesting. Thanks for the tip.
Matt: You’re right 45 minutes still isn’t sufficient. I’m glad you as a future pastor have this perspective. Draw on it when you lead your worship leader
James: John’s voice and his gleeful face. Love it.
I totally understand and agree… for all the complaining pastors I would like to apologize to all the butt hurt worship leaders. LOL. I could not agree more… except I will say that the songs we should aim to eliminate are not focused theological songs but Doctrinally unsound songs. Instead of complaining about a song… If it is really Doctrinally off and paints a unscriptural picture of Jesus and the gospel then cut it.
I have a couple songs that I HATE and I think paint a bad picture of the gospel. Kyle thank God you do not do those songs. Kyle… I love the songs you do at services and I hope I do not complain. LOL.
I love this letter I think it should become a chain letter that says at the end if you send this to five people you will be blessed with a hit song and make millions.
I agree completely. But most worship songs are all focused on the same narrow theological theme. Where are the songs about sin? I know I’ve written one but have never felt free enough to do it in worship. Are we doomed as worship leaders to doing only a small spectum of theology?
Hillarious article. Mayeb we should be saying duh! I wonder then why the songs of the Psalms are so long and the reformers copied likewise certain passages of scripture to be sung. Because mans words are tainted by mans emotions. If you cannot sing the word of God or a complete scriptural song then amazingly that would class it as UNSCRIPTURAL! Every Pastor will be held accountable for what He teaches His flock and has a duty to make sure what is being sung is scriptural. Many worship leaders feel frustrated and their gifting subdued by man Pastors because they want to be able to use more creativity in their writing and flow. Why? Because they treat the worship of God like a musical career and their idea of true worship is influenced by the true worship of the world. I pray that every Pastor scrutinizes every word that comes from the pulpit whether in word or in song or in deed.
A humble Full time worship and youth Pastor.