Wow. So next Sunday is “Senior Adult Sunday” at my church. Most places that would mean that we would recognize the folks who are “senior adults” (which by the way is the politically correct way of saying “Old People”. I hate political correctness, but I digress). Unfortunately however, we have managed to let one of the “SA’s” take over this thing and it has turned into a full out 3 ring circus. I’m talking about showboating in the worst kind of way. I don’t want to gripe. I don’t like to complain. It is important though that we recognize a few things here. The church we go to is very much a contemporary church, we have praise and worship music, the pastor doesn’t wear a tie often, and it’s common to see people in shorts and a t-shirt. We’re very laid back in a lot of ways. In fact we’re so laid back, we actually manage to incorporate some hymns along the way without getting into the “Cabin in the Corner of Gloryland” stuff, and it’s very effective. There are some powerful words in a lot of the old hymns. Many of them were written by people who were in touch with God and really in a spirit of worship.
This however, has turned into something altogether nightmarish. I NEVER want to hear the words “Dress Rehearsal” in reference to a church service. Ever. I have always hated that mentality. There is no leadership of the spirit allowed in “Dress Rehearsal”. It is structure for the sake of structure and it doesn’t allow for the Holy Spirit to move in any way. I understand wanting to rehearse, make sure the musicians know their parts and the singers know their words but when it gets into the mindset of “Dress rehearsal” it becomes two things: 1) a Show, and 2) pretensious.

Furthermore, in our practice today (again, no problem with practice, you can’t do music without practice) my soundman instinct kicked in. I can deal with microphones that are set up by someone else. I don’t mind if you beat it with a hammer if I have no sense of ownership. If I set up the mic’s, don’t touch them. I put them where they are for a reason. Don’t move them, don’t re-adjust them, don’t flip switches. You don’t know what you’re doing. Just stop. Again, I digress.

I just have a real problem with people wanting to turn a church service into a show instead of doing things that honor God. When it becomes about you and your ideas, and not about how we can do things better to lift God up, then in my book you are treading on very dangerous ground and it makes my skin crawl. I don’t like being a part of it. That spirit is what has caused so many people to look at church as being fake. I don’t know if i’m adequately explaining it, but suffice it to say, I feel like this service is going violate the trust of the congregation. If someone is there, or brings a friend because they want to get them into a church where there is genuine worship this sunday, then we can go ahead and write them off. They won’t be back. It is very very frustrating.

What…A…Nightmare.