Follow-up to “Will I ever be authentic enough?”
When I wrote Will I ever be authentic enough? I decided to ask a similar question to a group of worship leaders and I got some interesting feedback.
Here’s how I posed the question in the online forum:
In trying to incorporate other styles in Church, sometimes it can be seen as racist. People are trying to be as authentic as possible, but it can appear like they’re making fun of other people. What is that line between being authentic and racist?
Is an African American person the only one who can sing gospel?
Is a Hispanic person the only person who can incorporate Latin rhythms?
Note: I couldn’t list all the responses, but here are some of the more interesting answers I got.
Response 1:
Our goal is to lift the name of the Lord. What is the motivation for presenting this alternative style? Has the Lord delivered to your team people who have the gifts necessary to deliver such music in a way that will not distract the congregation? There are definitely Caucasians who can deliver powerful vocal performances in the style of R&B Gospel, and the same could hold true for other styles and disciplines. The key is that the gifting is there. Why? Because it’s uncomfortable for listeners to hear someone struggle, and it will divert attention away from the Lord, who should be the focus of our worship.
Response 2:
There is absolutely nothing wrong with bridging stylistic motifs to offer diversity within your service. I get the impression that Peter has received some negative feedback regarding a song (or songs) that was presented during worship. My point is that songs of all sorts can be offered, but a shortfall of gifts and talents will present a challenge to certain styles. Volunteer ministries can have a difficult time finding the people to present all styles effectively. I would rather be monostylistic and have excellence in the worship music than try to push things that are too ambitious and can create trainwrecks or cringes from the congregation.
Response 3:
If you are living in a multicultural area and you want to try to develop a multicultural worship service, maybe the question is to go out into the community and recruit a multicultural band. bring in somebody who CAN sing gospel, let them be the main singer on the gospel songs, and when they say it sounds right, start using it.
Overall, it sounds like the answer to the problem is a combination of skilled vocalists/instrumentalists and diversity in our worship teams. What do you think?
Share your story and your life…
Sincerely,
Peter Park
Blogger/Worship Leader/Speaker
peterpark@redemptionboulevard.com
(800) 453-3284
© 2010, Peter Park. All rights reserved.
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