“They Just Stood There and Sang”
It happened in August of 1966. I had graduated from high school in the spring of that year and had a summer term of college already under my belt. My future wife was about to begin her senior year in high school.
Somewhere about this time, the couple who would later become my father-in-law and my mother-in-law must have taken leave of their senses. Come to think of it, my parents must not have been thinking too clearly either.
For whatever reason, Donna and I were allowed to make a trip to St. Louis all by ourselves. (By the way; I did use the correct word – allowed! This all took place back in the dark ages when young people – even college students – were expected to get permission from their parents.)
Somehow, I had managed to purchase tickets to see – live and in concert – The Beatles. Those of you who know me, know that I’m still “stuck in the 60’s” when it comes to music. I managed to go to a few concerts during that decade and have gone to some concerts of groups from that era since then, but my “claim to fan fame” is that I actually got to see the group from that era in person.
A few years ago, a friend of mine showed his daughter a video of The Beatles performing. He thought that she would be as excited as he was.
She was not. She was “underwhelmed” because, in her words, “They just stood there and sang.”
She was correct about that. There were no fireworks. There were no smoke machines. There were no huge videos. There were no light shows. Nobody was “magically” suspended above the crowd while performing. Nobody somehow appeared on the stage from below the stage. There was no elaborate makeup. There were no wardrobe changes (or “malfunctions”). There was no choreography.
There were just four young men standing on a stage with their guitars and drums singing and playing. That was apparently enough to satisfy the people who were at the old Busch Stadium in 1966. Judging from the continuous applause and the screams of some of the girls who were there, it was more than enough. (By the way, Donna was not one of the screamers!! I can’t even imagine something like that!!!)
I’ve thought a lot in recent years about the comment made by my friend’s daughter. I’ve thought about how the demand for more and more excitement has had an impact on something other than our choices of, and preferences for, entertainment.
Specifically, I’m wondering about the impact this has had on worship. I ask you to keep an open mind as you consider this with me.
Is it not true that what some call worship today looks more and more like a performance? Is it not also true that some of those performances have become more and more elaborate over time? Is it not becoming increasingly more difficult to tell the difference between a rock concert, Broadway play, or Las Vegas production and what is described as “worship?”
What used to take place, maybe in a rural setting in a modest building (with the “facilities” outside), now requires special lighting, smoke machines, high-end technology, elaborate sound equipment, etc. Of utmost importance of course, there must be trained, talented and entertaining “performers.”
Countless people leave experiences like that thinking, “Wow, what a show!!” They go home and wonder how this week’s experience can be “topped” next week.
People who are satisfied with the worship that is authorized in the New Testament have the opportunity to leave their experience with an entirely different thought: “Wow, what a God!” They eagerly anticipate the next opportunity to join with their brothers and sisters and offer worship to their Creator and Savior.
Two of the four young men I saw on that stage in 1966 are now dead. For that reason, and many others, the experience I had over fifty years ago can never be repeated.
However, the privilege of worshipping “…in spirit and in truth” (John 4:24) – that is, with the right attitude and in the right way – is something I can do every week. It is far from being a “once in a lifetime” experience.
As I worship, I need to realize that I am not the audience. God is.
Worship is not designed to entertain me. It is designed for His glory.
In fact, that is what my entire life is supposed to be about. I am not here to satisfy myself. I am here to glorify Deity.
In light of that, I have no claim to any kind of fame. It does not matter at all who, if anybody, I’m a fan of. All that matters is whether or not I’m singing the truth when I sing…
“I’m a child of the King.”
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AUTHOR: Jim Faughn
