Recommended by a friend I am presently reading this book.
The other day on plane back from doing some external examining the author (Smith) provoked me by defending some of the 'Jesus is my boyfriend' kind of songs. His argument (not I should say without critique of these songs) is that we are embodied human beings whose primary 'drive' is love (not thinking or believing but desiring) and so accordingly such 'love' sentiments even indeed of the 'eros' sort may be appropriate in worship. This reminded me of something Campolo wrote years ago with reference to 'Song of Songs'. Anyway that is one issue... (note this is not a book primarily about worship leading but offers a particular 'anthropology' of human personhood and the significance of formative cultural 'liturgies').
Doing some further 'research' into the possible consequences of what he writes in this book for theological education I came across an open letter he addressed to 'praise bands' - Open Letter To Praise Bands.
As on who has led and been led by praise bands I think I fully agree with what he says here.
I think I would also suggest: if any of us are up there without the committment to help the congregation worship, with considered attention to what that means, and the willingness to sacrifice our own preferences, needs, and wants for the sake of the 'body' - we should sit down.
The open letter is interesting and so is the postscript!
Posted by: Margaret | 06/29/2012 at 08:32 PM
It was interesting to read Smith's letter to his own church's praise band. The book sounds good, but I couldn't see it for sale anywhere (Amazon etc.) I agreed with much of what he said and welcomed his observations, particularly about the current 'cultural transpolution' we call 'worship'. I would like to read more about what Smith says in regard to how we engage with and lead others into the formative dynamic of worship. In the meantime I'll follow your suggestion Stuart and 'sit down'
Posted by: Rob | 07/10/2012 at 03:34 PM