FredMcKinnon.Com - Latest Comments in Distracting Worship?

Re: Distracting Worship?

Chris Stout — Fri, 26 Sep 2008 00:23:24 -0000

Well as tech director at my church these always distract me:
1. Lights being to bright.
2. Wrong words on the screen.
3. Background locking up
4. The same camera shot the entire song, or two, or three.
5. Still looking for the pastor so I can mic him up
6. Last minute video's, pictures, slides.
7. Lights being the complete opposite color of the slides.
8. Looking for my wife to see if she made it on time or needs help with the kiddo.

Ha ha, am I overly critical?

Chris Stouts last blog post..Getting ready for Live!

Re: Distracting Worship?

Peter Park — Mon, 15 Sep 2008 13:24:05 -0000

Great question. It sounds like our church is a lot like yours. Nothing distracts me as much now. I get excited when people get expressive. It means they're not afraid to look like a fool for God. Awesome.

Re: Distracting Worship?

Emery — Sun, 14 Sep 2008 23:01:19 -0000

Great stuff.
I sometimes get distracted when someone in the congregation sings so loudly that it feels like they are trying to lead. I try to get over it but when the music slows down and some random person keeps the chorus going and going. awkward. I feel like the worship leader has the authority and anointing to lead. I lead worship but when I'm not leading I want to be led by the person who God has given the authority to lead.

Emerys last blog post..Daniel Bashta

Re: Distracting Worship?

Ed Schief — Fri, 12 Sep 2008 10:07:48 -0000

Kim - loved the line "...stepping onto holy ground with the kid down the row who brought matchbox cars"

Ed Schiefs last blog post..The Worship-ometer

Re: Distracting Worship?

kim — Fri, 12 Sep 2008 09:59:33 -0000

As a worshiper, I'm easily distracted. I distract myself with things rattling around in my head. External things that I'm not used to distract me. A cute baby on the shoulder of the guy in front of me distracts me. Corporate worship means I'm surrounded by other people, and people are distracting. Maybe that's just part of the joy of worshiping together...stepping onto holy ground with the kid down the row who brought matchbox cars. Who said we have to be focused, trance-like, for 30 minutes in order to have worshiped? :)

As a worship leader, I can't take responsibility for erasing every possible distraction from the room. Maybe I can learn to know the culture of the group I'm leading, and find the delicate balance between creating an environment that is not completely unfamiliar, while also, over time, leading them forward, deeper in worship.

Which always brings me to the question... what IS forward progress in worship, anyway?

Thanks for asking the original question. Good to think about.

kims last blog post..The ones I love. Fall 2008.

Re: Distracting Worship?

Travis — Thu, 11 Sep 2008 23:17:02 -0000

Hey Fred - just wanted to drop a line to say thanks for your encouragement. Appreciate your blog, the discussions and your obvious heart for worship and Christ exalted in all things. Trusting God to continue in empowering you for Spirit-filled, dynamic ministry in the years to come. t.

Re: Distracting Worship?

Ed Schief — Thu, 11 Sep 2008 22:37:34 -0000

Fred, I have the solution to everyone's frustrations. The answer is on my blog.

Ed Schiefs last blog post..The Worship-ometer

Re: Distracting Worship?

brewster — Thu, 11 Sep 2008 21:16:06 -0000

the obvious distractions include: Flags, tambourine, or the elder statesman running laps. (i to grew up in a charismatic background). However, the most distracting worship is a dead heat between the dancer and bad sound/notes.

brewsters last blog post..People Matter Most

Re: Distracting Worship?

Jeff T. — Thu, 11 Sep 2008 19:50:16 -0000

Great post, man. From my perspective, anything that draws attention to you instead of God is inappropriate (unless of course you're praying etc.). I notice this when I'm in a church that's sitting down for a slow song and 1 or 2 people stand up to worship. I think the key to congregational worship is that it's just that - congregational. The more unified we can be, even on a practical level, the better.

Jeff T.s last blog post..Church Guest Bands & Staff Communication

Re: Distracting Worship?

Damon Medic — Thu, 11 Sep 2008 19:44:21 -0000

You got me thinking!

Re: Distracting Worship?

Swodeck — Thu, 11 Sep 2008 19:42:07 -0000

inauthentic worship distracts me. i'm not a fan of flags, banners, horns (shofar), dancing, etc. however, if the person doing these is authentic in their worship. it's all good.

that is not necessarily the unofficial stance we take as worship leaders (i am one), however...well, you know.

Re: Distracting Worship?

dorothy (vicar of vibe) — Thu, 11 Sep 2008 13:23:46 -0000

O.k., this is from the point of someone in the congregation.
First, I was raised in a traditional church.
When God became real in my life, it really changed how I worship. Though it did take a couple of years to actually feel free enough (read: not worry about what other people were thinking about me). This was still in a fairly traditional church.

Thankfully, where I go now it is more “free spirited”.

Now, if I am distracted, it is my fault. That’s not to say that some things aren’t distracting to me.

*stepping on soapbox*

It kind of rolls into with one of my biggest pet peeves, when people say:
“Worship was good today, I like that song” or “I didn’t like…” I know all of us have heard it.
I just want to bop these people on the head!

Too many people focus on what they like or don’t like, when the real issue is, are we here to worship God or not?

I trust our worship leader to create a set that glorifies God (and goes with the flow of the message), my part is to worship God.

*stepping off my soapbox*

dorothy (vicar of vibe)s last blog post..WAREHOUSE Wednesday: pink inc. inspired set design

Re: Distracting Worship?

rhoy pamparo — Thu, 11 Sep 2008 11:46:14 -0000

hey fred! i totally understand and i don't want to be a hypocrite to say i don't get distracted because i do. but we do have to try harder not to get distracted.

its almost like driving early morning against the wind while rain is pouring down heavily. your child is crying hysterically and your wife is trying to call you to find out where you are. it can be very distracting but we really try hard to focus on the road even though its tough to see what's in front.

wow, i almost confused myself with that! i hope it made sense. God bless ...

rhoy pamparos last blog post..Understanding the Romans by Rhoy Pamparo

Re: Distracting Worship?

JonWesley — Thu, 11 Sep 2008 09:31:17 -0000

Ours is a more traditional backgrounded (is that a word?) Southern Baptist Church. Typically there is a little side to side sway, an occasional raised hand, but NEVER dancing. (I think it's in the bylaws somewhere! :-)
I have always encouraged personal worship. If a member wants to clap, they are free to clap, preferably in time with the music. I have also encouraged the choir and band to be free, and have even suggested they clap or move a little in order to "give permission" to the congregation.
I think it ultimately boils down to that old standard: sing it with me- it's a heart issue.
It is sad, as a leader of worship, to hear someone want to clap as an offering to God, only to be stifled by those who hold the string s of what is and is not proper. Are we not ALL children of God? I'm just sayin"...

Re: Distracting Worship?

Fred — Thu, 11 Sep 2008 09:16:03 -0000

Shannon,
Well, I was going to take your suggestion and let today's blog be about what encourages us to worship ... but I see you beat me to it ...
http://4whatitsworth.wordpr...

Re: Distracting Worship?

Fred — Thu, 11 Sep 2008 09:13:01 -0000

Rhoy -
I agree with your statement ... but .. I agree, the idea is to be focused on God ... but sometimes, the DISTRACTIONS hinder us from focusing on God? Is that right?

I can try my hardest to focus on God ... but it can be very hard if there is something very distracting going on.

For the Kingdom,
Fred McKinnon
www.fredmckinnon.com
www.theworshipcommunity.com

Re: Distracting Worship?

Shannon Lewis — Thu, 11 Sep 2008 06:48:13 -0000

One more thought before bed, as it relates to the hypothetical questions Fred faces (in response to Russ): what one is called to do as an individual is quite often different from what one is called to do as a group, particularly in the Bible. For instance, Biblically we are called - as individuals - to turn the other cheek, but the Bible gives clear examples of - as a nation - of measuring out capital punishment (i.e. - the death penalty) and examples of God-endorsed wars. Is it quite possible that we are, as individuals called to be all things to all people, but as a body of believers our primary goal is, first and foremost, to build up believers - though not losing an awareness of the 'less mature' among us? Maybe...

Shannon Lewiss last blog post..What encourages YOU to worship?

Re: Distracting Worship?

Jennifer Griffin — Thu, 11 Sep 2008 00:23:10 -0000

I can usually close my eyes and worship no matter what...but when I lead a few things are distracting. If I'm not clean before God...I am distracted and not worshipping as I should or could. Sin is a big distraction for a leader or anyone in the seats.

I was at a service though twice where a lady insistd on sitting in the front row with flags. No one else had any...but during one song she got out one flag and did all these certain motions. On the next song she started waving both flags all over. You could see everyone just watching her and very distracted. The stage wasn't high off the ground so your only choice was to see her. That was distracting.

Good question Fred!
Jen

Jennifer Griffins last blog post..Nasty Church Trend

Re: Distracting Worship?

rhoy pamparo — Wed, 10 Sep 2008 23:01:33 -0000

skimming through the comments, it seems pretty evident that most of the distractions are on a personal preference basis. if you're not focused on God, then you will be focused on other things such as distractions. great post!

rhoy pamparos last blog post..We Believe Quicktake by Rhoy Pamparo

Re: Distracting Worship?

Shannon Lewis — Wed, 10 Sep 2008 22:04:37 -0000

If our hearts aren't right, and we aren't regularly taught and reminded of not only who God is and why we worship, but what worship is and how to do it, any of us can and will find ourselves distracted by a great number of Godly, Biblical expressions of worship, which should still be encouraged, because God tell us to do them. Apart from those, however...

I do find bright rooms distracting at times - or, if not exactly 'distracting', at least a minor barrier to focusing my attention...

Expressionless faces (and someone doesn't have to be going wild to have an expression, but you can usually tell if someone is engaged or not) singing or saying something that should have their whole heart behind it SERIOUSLY throws me out of passionately pursuing God during worship (which is why I close my eyes so often) - my heart says, "WHAT? Are we not worshiping the same God? My God's AWESOME!"

Can't think of many others... I think I'd like to see a follow-up blog, however: what ENCOURAGES your to worship God? Hmm... maybe I'll post that one tomorrow? ;-)

That's two biggies...

Re: Distracting Worship?

Travis Paulding — Wed, 10 Sep 2008 20:14:00 -0000

I haven't read all the comments yet so, forgive me if I missed something.

What distracts me: (not saying it is wrong, just distracting)
-loud singers NOT on stage(probably why I don't sing unless it is loud) even if they are decent, if they stand out in the crowd it is like all I hear
-people who APPEAR to be moving way more than the music would suggest (they make me want to check and see if they are listening to something on their iPod that is different from the music in the house)
-song lyric pray-ers (I dunno why, but it is SO distracting for me, I start to laugh)
-bad mixes (as a sound guy, I am def. TOO critical of this, but if it sounds bad, all I can think about is what I would do different. 90% my problem.)
-bright rooms (If I can see, I start looking around, hard to focus in.)
-RF interference in my in-ears (that one was for you Fred.)

Travis Pauldings last blog post..Get In The Game Intro Video

Re: Distracting Worship?

Mom — Wed, 10 Sep 2008 17:54:15 -0000

Gosh there have been many responses to this question! As a member of our Praise & Worship Team, I realize that I have to fight against allowing NON PARTICIPANTS to distract me! When the Holy Spirit is moving and the majority of your congregation is deeply involved in worship - to see some in the back chatting and laughing about something grieves me because they are missing out on the provision of God as well as an opportunity to give Him the praise He is so worthy of within a corporate body where that praise is magnified! I have learned not to look at those and know that in the throneroom there should be no distractions - everything should become "shadows in the light of Him".

Re: Distracting Worship?

Russ — Wed, 10 Sep 2008 17:45:31 -0000

@Fred, I guess I would answer the "how" with this question?

What is it about an individual's own extreme expression of worship in a "corporate" environment that makes it distracting?

Is it the expression itself? Is it the person's motives (heart)? Is it our own motives or heart?

I'm sure those all play a part, but I'd answer "no." It's the fact that someone is doing something that everyone else isn't. They might as well, sign up for a slot during the offering and do it as a "special" act of worship? I'm partly joking.

But the bottom line of my wrestling is that...I'm leaning towards feeling more "right" about everyone singing together in a worshipful way then some people singing, some people dancing, some people knitting, some people daydreaming...heh.

Don't read this as me saying diverse worship expressions don't have a place, they do. But again I go back to the original thought. I think true worship is based on loving the Lord God with all of you and then loving your neighbor as yourself. I believe that in a corporate sense it means that we put the body first and our preferences last.

I don't know. I just don't know.

Re: Distracting Worship?

Fred — Wed, 10 Sep 2008 17:22:01 -0000

Jamie,
For me, personally, flags have generally distracted me ... mainly because I've nearly been beaten over the head with them more than once. I'm not quite sure I see the clear Scriptural correlation ... maybe it's there. Typically a "banner" was a flag ... like the banner or flag we'd carry into battle ... is there Scripture for where it's used in the context of praise and worship? Maybe so ... I'd be interested in knowing this myself.

For the Kingdom,
Fred McKinnon
www.fredmckinnon.com
www.theworshipcommunity.com

Re: Distracting Worship?

Jamie Burnside — Wed, 10 Sep 2008 17:18:20 -0000

What distracts me as a worship leader is the pastoral part of leading a team during a worship service. Sometimes my own mind distracts me when I am listening to make sure our instruments are in synch. Doesn't happen often, but once in a while.

Im wondering if there are any churches out there who are incorporating Worship Flags? Our church has had a flagging team for several years. It began during the Charismatic renewal years, and now we still have a core of intercessors who still want to flag. They have some of the old paperwork with the Bible verses that might be interpreted to support either raising the banner, or lifting a wave offering, or interceding. Could anyone comment? The other churches in our area let this practice fizzle out over time, so it was a "seasonal" practice. For our intercessors, the desire to worship in that way still exists.
What does anyone have to say about this? Some people in the church find it very distracting. Others find it beautiful. So, for now. for a season, we have laid them down in the interest of reorganizing.
jamie

Jamie Burnsides last blog post..Final Creative Project for ICEWS - Song w/Mp3