I must admit that I am musically challenged. Not too long after my conversion at university, I set off to Dijon (France) for an exchange term during my studies as a technical translator. Whilst singing enthusiastically during a service, a French student said to me: “You’re singing out of tune.” I replied: “But God is in tune with my heart.”
Unfortunately, my singing did not improve significantly after this rebuke. All those, who attended the small group that I was part of as a working person, can confirm this. One evening, the worship leader even had to stop playing the guitar because I sang so badly. But God had mercy on my fellow Christians. Months later, the small group leader said to me one day: “Jörg, the Lord has done a miracle!” I answered: “That is brilliant. What is it?” The leader simply said: “You can hold a tune now.”
Over the years, I have been in all types, shapes, and sizes of churches. The music was produced by a huge variety: band, choir, organ, just a guitar, taped music or acapella. I have also lived in a closed Muslim country where we could not sing as this would have made the neighbors and authorities suspicious and led to persecution. None of these expressions have stopped me from engaging because my worship and praise are directed to God, not fellow humans.
However, I sometimes get the impression that there is an unspoken requirement for those involved in Western church worship to be very good musically and deliver what feels, at times, like a performance. The bigger the church is, the bigger this pressure is.
I do concede that some musicians may feel quite differently about this. They are likely to quote Ps 33:1-3: “Sing joyfully to the Lord, you righteous; it is fitting for the upright to praise him. Praise the Lord with the harp; make music to him on the ten-stringed lyre. Sing to him a new song; play skilfully, and shout for joy.” Don’t get me wrong. I enjoy it when instruments are played skilfully, I don’t enjoy cacophony. If you aren’t gifted musically, the worship team is probably better off without you.
However, if we allow the Holy Spirit to touch our hearts and speak to us prophetically in our worship, then I would argue that the professionalism of music does not matter that much. The lyrics of songs or hymns and our inner attitude are far more important. We are authentic when we approach God with humility, gratitude, and expectation. This is why we should stretch out our hands: We are ready to receive.
Dr. Jörg Strate