Ponderings on worship
Nov. 11th, 2007 04:50 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
kayreInspired by but not caused by worship this morning.
In some contemporary churches, those of us who read music and would like to have music available rather than just lyrics are seen not just as old-fashioned, but as exclusive, snobbish or elitist.
In these same churches, it's common to encourage/expect people to carry their own Bibles rather than relying on pew Bibles, and to read along with the scripture, possibly also looking up other passages during the sermon (thus requiring a working knowledge of the contents, and apparently the Table of Contents is only for unspiritual wimps). Heck, even reading lyrics requires some minimum reading.
How is this not also elitist? It assumes that one not only knows how to read (English), but reads at a fairly high level of competence, plus that aspect of knowing where the books are. Of course, in a typical white middle class church, these assumptions are pretty safe, but if they want to reach out beyond people like them, these churches need to examine these attitudes.
Fact is, one doesn't need to read either words or music to be a good Christian; but both of those skills can enhance one's spiritual life. And to say that reading scripture is more important than enhancing worship just demonstrates how far out of balance our idea of Christian life is.
I'm not objecting to using print lyrics, though awareness that some folks may not be able to read them would be a good thing. I just resent the one skill being seen as elitist, and the nastiness with which music-readers are dismissed sometimes.
In some contemporary churches, those of us who read music and would like to have music available rather than just lyrics are seen not just as old-fashioned, but as exclusive, snobbish or elitist.
In these same churches, it's common to encourage/expect people to carry their own Bibles rather than relying on pew Bibles, and to read along with the scripture, possibly also looking up other passages during the sermon (thus requiring a working knowledge of the contents, and apparently the Table of Contents is only for unspiritual wimps). Heck, even reading lyrics requires some minimum reading.
How is this not also elitist? It assumes that one not only knows how to read (English), but reads at a fairly high level of competence, plus that aspect of knowing where the books are. Of course, in a typical white middle class church, these assumptions are pretty safe, but if they want to reach out beyond people like them, these churches need to examine these attitudes.
Fact is, one doesn't need to read either words or music to be a good Christian; but both of those skills can enhance one's spiritual life. And to say that reading scripture is more important than enhancing worship just demonstrates how far out of balance our idea of Christian life is.
I'm not objecting to using print lyrics, though awareness that some folks may not be able to read them would be a good thing. I just resent the one skill being seen as elitist, and the nastiness with which music-readers are dismissed sometimes.
