A while back I wrote the article at WorshipIdeas.com called "Music=Growth?" I used to think that good music grows a church. While it doesn't hurt, I don't believe that anymore. Here's another example.
When was the last time you went to a movie or watched a TV show because of the music? Probably never.
Sure, some movies/TV shows are notable for their music. John Williams is famous for his lush orchestral scores, but did you rush to see the latest Indiana Jones flick because he scored the film?
The Matrix was not only renowned for special effects (bullet time) but also for Don Davis's unique score, but that's not why the film was so popular.
You go to a movie or watch your favorite show because of the message, the storyline. Maybe you like the actor and watch all his movies.
People go to church because of the message, the storyline. They probably like the preacher.
A stirring movie score sure helps set the mood of the film, doesn't it? You might even leave the theater humming the theme. Great music helps set the mood of your worship service, and people will leave with a catchy praise song or hymn on their lips.
When a movie is hitting on all cylinders - great actors, great storyline, great director, great music - what a blockbuster, and what a viewing pleasure. Only a handful of the many movies made each year hits this stride.
And when a church hits on all cylinders with a great preacher, great staff and great music, you hear about it, too.
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- Don Chapman
- Arranger/composer Don Chapman is the creative energy behind several websites devoted to contemporary worship: HymnCharts, WorshipFlow, and WorshipIdeas.com. He's the editor of the weekly WorshipIdeas newsletter that is read by over 50,000 worship leaders across the world.
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5 comments:
Don, I'm afraid I have to differ with you on this one. While you are right that I don't select which movies and television shows I will watch based on their soundtrack, you've missed the critical difference - audience participation. Unless you're a Rocky Horror Picture Show kind of person, I'll bet you can't name the last movie you attended where the whole audience was expected to, and mostly did, sing along. And other than The Doodle-Bops, Yo Gabba Gabba, and their ilk, I would propose that rarely around the average American household does the family sit around the TV and sing along with the show.
The key is level of involvement. Movies and television shows are observational experiences while congregational body worship is a participatory experience. When you expect people to participate, the whole tone of the experience changes. If the worship music and performance is of such a poor quality that I am unable to comfortably participate then I won't, and as I participate less then I am far more likely to attend less, if even at all.
Worship music is all about the music. Movies and television shows are not. There's no solid foundation for comparing the two in this context, in my opinion.
I think a better analogy would be to compare the worship experience to concerts. A concert artist that is known as a skilled performer but with "weird" or even meaningless lyrics will still draw a high attendance because people are drawn to the music. Certainly, there is a minimum lyrical standard, but beyond that people come for the quality of the performance, not the content of the lyrics.
Likewise, a concert artist with amazing lyrical content but inadequate performance ability is going to have a hard time getting even free gigs. Their music holds no interest for the listener and even though the thoughts and concepts being expressed might be 100% awesome and relevant, they simply won't be "heard" over the poor performance.
Church is obviously not a concert, so this analogy is inadequate in that regards and is not meant to unduly place an emphasis on the worship experience. As you state, the teaching is the most significant element of the "Sunday morning" experience and any church that loses sight of that truth is in need of redirection. However, if you want people to listen to what you say and engage with your words and to carry your message out beyond the four walls of your physical church, you can't expect them to endure 30-40 minutes of discomfort, pain, or torture and then be ready for the "truth" your pastor is ready to deliver.
I would propose that while quality draws quality unto itself, experiential quality serves to predict expected future quality. If I experience an inadequate "worship" set, my expectations for the elements to follow, including the teaching, are that it will be of equally poor quality. This will taint my experience even if the content and delivery of the teaching is superb. The difference is this: if the music is poor and the preaching is excellent, I will walk away saying "that preacher was better than I expected," whereas if the music is excellent and the preaching is excellent, I will walk away saying "that was an excellent service." Which perception do you desire?
Like Josh Hunt says, the key to a growing church is EVERYTHING! Churches need good music, good preaching, nice facilities, nice people, etc. There isn't one thing that makes a church grow unless you want to pinpoint the power of the Holy Spirit which should make all the above a reality.
Why is this artical called "Church & Movies?"
This "artical" is titled "Church & Movies" because I'm comparing the church to movies. I hope that helps clear up any misunderstanding.
I agree with some of what you (Don) and Lee have to say. Worship often has a goal in mind, an intended response to the message. Everything that happens in worship (should) point toward that goal. The Scripture reading should focus on it; the drama should illustrate it; the sermon should argue for it; and the music should engage our hearts (through participation, as Lee said) with it.
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