We have been recording a worship album for our church over the past couple of weeks and throughout the sessions we have had 39 musicians and vocalists come through the studio to be a part of the record. It would have been simple to have studio musicians come in and play on the album and do it much more quickly and honestly a little better. However, our vision was so clear and it’s been confirmed in conversations, evidence, and even magazine articles.
During the tracking I got the new issue of worship leader magazine in the mail and I usually read the ending article first (not sure why I just do). The article, written by Bob Rognlien, was a great confirmation. He spoke in the article about how our worship has become the work of professionals rather then the work of the people. It’s not uncommon for most churches to pay professional musicians to provide the music for their worship services. Which I don’t have a problem with at all. But what Bob addressed in the article, which I agree with is that the Spirit of anything is lessened to a degree when people are hired to do some thing in which they are not spiritually, emotionally, and physically bound to.
What I mean is a professional musician who only attends a church simply for the pay doesn’t have the level of investment as someone who serves, gives, attends, and is connected to that body or believers. Neither is better than the other, but the church benefits more from the later. Now we obviously need quality art and quality musicians. But these past couple of weeks I’ve seen the direct value of raising up quality musicians to be a part of the body of believers at Northstar and how that effects making an album of worship songs. The heart behind this album and the unity in purpose in incomparable.
I’m not saying paying musicians is wrong. I’m not saying that our ministry is better than someone else’s. What I am saying is I saw the direct result of worship being the work of the people and not the work of professionals. There is a greek word for worship in the New Testament “leitourgia”, which literally means “the work of the people”. I am thankful for God creating a team of people who love Him, are committed to His church, and are committed to making the best art they can for the glory of God and benefit of His body.
