The one with the guitars...

Thursday, July 24, 2008

The mid-winter praise celebration is drawing near and as we were practising last night, I happened to notice that there were four guitars on stage (5 if you include the bass) and I thought to myself that must be some sort of record. And as much as I love guitars and was in my "happy place" listening to them all, I thought about Perplexual's latest post (check it out at http://perplexual.blogspot.com/2008/07/complexity-kills.html) and wondered what the church would do if for the next Praise Celebration we had an acoustic set with one guitar, one singer, congos and nothing else. I think everyone would be shocked at first, but would soon appreciate the change. And it would give the musos a break! As much as I love to listen to great bands play and love every Friday where it's loud and pumping, I think sometimes we can put too much emphasis on the sound rather then the soul.

Oh for the simplicity

To get back to the heart of worship. To realise that worship is not about the best band playing the phattest licks with amazing harmonies, but it's about touching the very heart of God. I think that some of my favourite worship times have come during Essence (7am Thursday mornings-be there!) where the worship isn't flash, but wow it is annointed! God turns up because of his faithful ones reaching out to Him, and for no other reason. Let's get ready for God to turn up during our "quiet" times, for Him to pour out His presence on us as we reach out to Him and for God to change us from the inside out!