Jubal’s Jottings

Church musician, Carlton Young, once made an important observation. “We tend to treat the choir as if it were the congregation; we should, instead, treat the congregation as if it were the choir.” What a great statement! Liturgical scholar, James White, added that we have moved from “liturgical music” to “musical liturgy,” and that our approach to music should move from that of “sacred music” to “pastoral music.” I like these thoughts! More hot buttons for me! White further states that when music “…is not an integral part of the service, it cannot help being entertainment…” He further adds that the use of music in worship needs to be holistically relevant, “rather than gems of choral or instrumental music dropped into it.”

Whether the worship style language is traditional or modern, my observation is that there are a lot of isolated artistic events in worship…performance driven, not connected to other service elements, observer oriented… If we take Young’s statement to heart, then we would refocus our attention away from the platform and onto the real choir – the congregation.

Jubal, can you see it now? No platform…just the people of God together in song!

I recently reread an article by John Ortberg for a class. The article is titled, “Can You Engage Both Heart and Mind?”…in corporate worship. Some of you know that this topic is a hot button for me. (And I know I have several hot buttons!) Though the article is several years old, the principles of balance in worship still remain an issue…and probably will be a continuous issue. Worship services tend to be slanted toward one side more than the other…either leaning toward a heart orientation – feeling based – or toward a mind orientation – a cognitive base.

Ortberg probed the worship planning process, which is often the wall that cannot be climbed when planning balanced worship. In the end, he named two questions that he desired that worship leaders would ask when planning and leading worship…and I thought they were helpful guides that would be worth stating.

When leaving our sanctuaries…

Question #1 – what do we want people to understand from worship?
Question #2 – What do we want people to feel from the worship experience?

Jubal, I know it’s a difficult mix to obtain, but I do wish that more worship leaders would thoughtfully answer those questions before, during, and after our services of worship.

I’m inclined to give the benefit of the doubt here and there…knowing that there must be something behind certain situations that I don’t understand that make things the way they are. However, I just can’t get past my experiences of the last week! I attended a music conference (not to be named!) that had music presented by many of the well-known publishers in the Christian market - both modern and traditional in style.  During the sessions in which music was presented I found myself being pretty wrought up over two issues…1. people running the sessions who were overbearing salesmen/saleswomen…and occasionally musically incapable, and 2. the largely bad music being foisted onto the leaders of church music.

Jubal, who are these people? How did these people get these jobs?

In THE CRUCIFIXION by John Stainer, there are a few marvelous hymns of reflection at strategic intervals throughout the course of the story line. Though the work has been panned as being less than artistic by musical critics, it remains a standard Holy Week work, and the lyrics of the hymns provide thoughtful reflection still today.  The following is the fifth of the hymns, with a profound title…FOR THE LOVE OF JESUS.  Please reflect as Holy Week begins.

Words: William John Sparrow-Simpson, 1887

FOR THE LOVE OF JESUS

All for Jesus - all for Jesus,
This our song shall ever be;
For we have no hope, now Saviour,
If we have not hope in thee.

All for Jesus - thou wilt give us
Strength to serve thee hour by hour;
None can move us from thy presence,
While we trust thy love and power.

All for Jesus - at thine altar
Thou wilt give us sweet content;
There, dear Lord, we shall receive thee
In the solemn Sacrament.

All for Jesus - thou hast loved us;
All for Jesus - thou hast died;
All for Jesus - thou art with us;
All for Jesus crucified,

All for Jesus - all for Jesus –
This the Church’s song must be;
Till, at last, her sons are gathered
One in love and one in thee.

Amen

In THE CRUCIFIXION by John Stainer, there are a few marvelous hymns of reflection at strategic intervals throughout the course of the story line. Though the work has been panned as being less than artistic by musical critics, it remains a standard Holy Week work, and the lyrics of the hymns provide thoughtful reflection still today. The following is the fourth of the hymns, with a profound title…THE ADORATION OF THE CRUCIFIED. Please reflect as Holy Week begins.

Words: William John Sparrow-Simpson, 1887

THE ADORATION OF THE CRUCIFIED

I adore thee, I adore thee!
Glorious ere the world began;
Yet more wonderful thou shinest,
Though divine, yet still divinest
In thy dying love for man.

I adore thee, I adore thee!
Thankful at thy feet to be;
I have heard thy accent thrilling,
Lo! I come, for thou art willing
Me to pardon, even me.

I adore thee, I adore thee!
Born of woman yet divine:
Stained with sins I kneel before thee,
Sweetest Jesu, I implore thee
Make me ever only thine.

Words: William John Sparrow-Simpson, 1887

In THE CRUCIFIXION by John Stainer, there are a few marvelous hymns of reflection at strategic intervals throughout the course of the story line. Though the work has been panned as being less than artistic by musical critics, it remains a standard Holy Week work, and the lyrics of the hymns provide thoughtful reflection still today. The following is the third of the hymns, with a profound title…THE MYSTERY OF INTERCESSION. Please reflect as Holy Week begins.

THE MYSTERY OF INTERCESSION

Jesus, the Crucified, pleads for me,
While he is nailed to the shameful tree,
Scorned and forsaken, derided and curst.
See how his enemies do their worst!
Yet, in the midst of the torture and shame,
Jesus, the Crucified, breathes my name!
Wonder of wonders, oh! How can it be?
Jesus, the Crucified, pleads for me!

Lord, I have left thee, I have denied,
Followed the world in my selfish pride;
Lord, I have joined in the hateful cry,
Slay him, away with him, crucify!
Lord, I have done it, oh! Ask me not how;
Woven the thorns for thy tortured brow:
Yet in his pity so boundless and free,
Jesus, the Crucified, pleads for me!

Though thou hast left me and wandered away,
Chosen the darkness instead of the day;
Though thou art covered with many a stain,
Though thou hast wounded me oft and again:
Though thou hast followed thy wayward will;
Yet, in my pity, I love thee still.
Wonder of wonders it ever must be!
Jesus, the Crucified, pleads for me!

Jesus is dying, in agony sore,
Jesus is suffering more and more,
Jesus is bowed with the weight of his woe,
Jesus is faint with each bitter throe.
Jesus is bearing it all in my stead,
Pity Incarnate for me has bled;
Wonder of wonders it ever must be
Jesus, the Crucified, pleads for me!

In THE CRUCIFIXION by John Stainer, there are a few marvelous hymns of reflection at strategic intervals throughout the course of the story line. Though the work has been panned as being less than artistic by musical critics, it remains a standard Holy Week work, and the lyrics of the hymns provide thoughtful reflection still today.  The following is the second of the hymns, with a profound title…LITANY OF THE PASSION.  Please reflect as Holy Week begins.

Words: William John Sparrow-Simpson, 1887

LITANY OF THE PASSION

Holy Jesu, by thy Passion,
By the woes which none can share,
Borne in more than kingly fashion,
By thy love beyond compare.
Crucified, I turn to thee,
Son of Mary, plead for me.

By the treachery and trial,
By the blows and sore distress,
By desertion and denial,
By thine awful loneliness:
Crucified, I turn to thee,
Son of Mary, plead for me.

By thy look so sweet and lowly,
While they smote thee on the face,
By thy patience, calm and holy,
In the midst of keen disgrace:
Crucified, I turn to thee,
Son of Mary, plead for me.

By the hour of condemnation,
By the blood which trickled down
When, for us and our salvation,
Thou didst wear the robe and crown:
Crucified, I turn to thee,
Son of Mary, plead for me.

By the path of sorrows dreary,
By the cross, thy dreadful load,
By the pain, when faint and weary,
Thou didst sink upon the road:
Crucified, I turn to thee,
Son of Mary, plead for me.

By the Spirit which could render
Love for hate and good for ill,
By the mercy, sweet and tender,
Poured upon thy murderers still:
Crucified, I turn to thee,
Son of Mary, plead for me.

In THE CRUCIFIXION by John Stainer, there are a few marvelous hymns of reflection at strategic intervals throughout the course of the story line. Though the work has been panned as being less than artistic by musical critics, it remains a standard Holy Week work, and the lyrics of the hymns provide thoughtful reflection still today.  The following is the first of the hymns, with a profound title…THE MYSTERY OF DIVINE HUMILIATION.  Please reflect as Holy Week begins.

Words: William John Sparrow-Simpson, 1887

THE MYSTERY OF DIVINE HUMILIATION

Cross of Jesus, Cross of sorrow,
Where the blood of Christ was shed,
Perfect man on thee was tortured,
Perfect God on thee has bled!

Here the King of all the ages,
Throned in light ere worlds could be,
Robed in mortal flesh is dying,
Crucified by sin for me.

O mysterious condescending!
O abandonment sublime!
Very God himself is bearing
All the sufferings of time!

Evermore for human failure
By his Passion we can plead;
God has borne all mortal anguish,
Surely he will know our need.

Who shall fathom that descending,
From the rainbow-circled throne,
Down to earth’s most base profaning,
Dying desolate alone.

From the “Holy, Holy, Holy,
We adore thee, O most high,”
Down to earth’s blaspheming voices
And the shout of “Crucify!”

Cross of Jesus, Cross of sorrow,
Where the blood of Christ was shed
Perfect man on thee was tortured,
Perfect God on thee has bled.

I just got back from a unique gathering of what was called “Evangelical Scholars.”  This particular group consisted of people who teach worship-related course work at many of the nations leading Christian colleges and seminaries.  For me to be in a group of “Evangelical Scholars” will surprise those of you who know me as much as it surprises me…scholar I’m not!  On the other hand, it put me in touch with many fine people who possess like-minded efforts in doing their best to train people of various theological persuasions to knowingly meet God in personal and corporate manners!  The particular topic of discussion was related to pedagogical methodology in teaching worship.  With a subject like that, you can well imagine that there were many thoughtful and practical ideas to intake!

One thing that stood out to me was how many of the people there were very passionate about teaching worship principles even though it is not contained in their primary job description.  Some teach worship inside of classes on ecclesiology, while other inside of church history, and still others as a part of spiritual formation practices.  I have become increasingly aware that his takes significant effort, and that sacrifices are required to include worship in their curriculum.  I also noted that those who made that tyhpe of effort were by far the majority represented in the group that was gathered.  Also, I know we were all grateful to John Witvliet and the Calvin Institute of Christian Worship for hosting us…in what was considered balmy Grand Rapids, MI…you know, 40 degree high temps!

You know, Jubal, I always learn a big new word at meetings like this.  The word for this week was “quotidian.”  Do you know what that means?  I do now!

In the last 10 days I have joined some of my colleagues as a guest at a couple of worship conferences.  It was such a privilege and honor to be asked to present some thoughts to these groups of pastors and worship leaders.  The conversations before and after presentations were highly engaging, BUT there were some common stresses that were expressed.  Lots of people looking for lots of answers.  The main issue seems to be the continual worship warring between the “traditional” and “contemporary” camps…very sad.  There is a lot of turf protection…plenty of “my way” entrenchment.  I don’t think there is enough focus on important issues like vision, God, the whole community.  I really do believe that if more time was spent on discussion BETWEEN camps there would be some common elements that would come into focus that would prove to be more important than all the wall-building that goes on.  Come on, people!

You know, Jubal, it did break my heart a little when a young man came up and asked me to pray for him…he had some real hurts.