Thanks Graham - I enjoyed reading this. Love the idea that God delights in creativity and that we were created to be creative for his glory. I think songwriting is an interesting one as I agree that we should not be anxious about the thoughts of others in our worship, but perhaps there's a difference between pleasing people and loving people? I guess this touches on another difference between creating as an individual expression of worship (David's example in 2 Sam) and creating for the church body (Deut 31+32, Col 3:16). I agree that we should avoid trying to be 'cool' (whatever that means), but I think that when we create for the benefit of others, God is pleased with the care in which we give to how a song communicates an aspect of the gospel or whether it helps to 'let the word of Christ dwell in you richly'. However, it's definitely easy for loving people to become pleasing people! There's so much creativity to explore that still lovingly serves the church family (name the last worship song you heard in a minor key...)
Wow I love this Pete, such a thoughtful response! The idea that God cares so much about the church body that he's given corporate sung worship as a gift that helps us to both express and receive truths of the gospel is simply amazing. And it does give me a desire to create with excellence as Dan eluded to.
LOVE this bro. Very thought-provoking. I also like what Pete adds below. But knowing my own heart, it feels so often I can be seeking peoples' approval under the guise of loving them. I particularly enjoyed the honest thought that you sometimes feel like Michal felt towards David!
Hey Graham, I like this. some feedback from a few perspectives: format and style i like - its clear and theres no ambiguity, its jovial and kind - you get a lot of articles that can be quite mean spirited on this topic. content wise - i like but i think the conclusion might be a bit prosaic, which is not a bad thing. i mean i probably read a lot more of this kinda stuff than the average person so its not new to me and i completely agree with what you're saying and if thats your audience its cool. but do you know if your readers are more -- peeps who are trying to be cutting edge and just need to tone down or the opposite. i would say the conclusion addresses the former but doesn't kinda encourage people to be more creative - like i feel to a degree we're missing like the handel or bach phenomenon where truly gifted people really give truly spectacular and skilled worship - don't really know their backgrounds - how do they deal with their gifts
Love your point on gifted and spectacular worship, that's something I'd like to think about more. Bach's signature SDG/Soli Deo Gloria (To the glory of God alone) thing is very cool, and apparently he was told his music was so showy it was sinful, so that definitely all fits into this topic. Can you be the world's greatest composer without getting a proud heart even though the gift is from God?
Thanks for this thought provoking article Graham. Singing a Getty song in the shower is one of my favourite things even if I am subjecting the whole street to my singing.
Thanks Graham - I enjoyed reading this. Love the idea that God delights in creativity and that we were created to be creative for his glory. I think songwriting is an interesting one as I agree that we should not be anxious about the thoughts of others in our worship, but perhaps there's a difference between pleasing people and loving people? I guess this touches on another difference between creating as an individual expression of worship (David's example in 2 Sam) and creating for the church body (Deut 31+32, Col 3:16). I agree that we should avoid trying to be 'cool' (whatever that means), but I think that when we create for the benefit of others, God is pleased with the care in which we give to how a song communicates an aspect of the gospel or whether it helps to 'let the word of Christ dwell in you richly'. However, it's definitely easy for loving people to become pleasing people! There's so much creativity to explore that still lovingly serves the church family (name the last worship song you heard in a minor key...)
Wow I love this Pete, such a thoughtful response! The idea that God cares so much about the church body that he's given corporate sung worship as a gift that helps us to both express and receive truths of the gospel is simply amazing. And it does give me a desire to create with excellence as Dan eluded to.
Also you are cool.
LOVE this bro. Very thought-provoking. I also like what Pete adds below. But knowing my own heart, it feels so often I can be seeking peoples' approval under the guise of loving them. I particularly enjoyed the honest thought that you sometimes feel like Michal felt towards David!
Hey Graham, I like this. some feedback from a few perspectives: format and style i like - its clear and theres no ambiguity, its jovial and kind - you get a lot of articles that can be quite mean spirited on this topic. content wise - i like but i think the conclusion might be a bit prosaic, which is not a bad thing. i mean i probably read a lot more of this kinda stuff than the average person so its not new to me and i completely agree with what you're saying and if thats your audience its cool. but do you know if your readers are more -- peeps who are trying to be cutting edge and just need to tone down or the opposite. i would say the conclusion addresses the former but doesn't kinda encourage people to be more creative - like i feel to a degree we're missing like the handel or bach phenomenon where truly gifted people really give truly spectacular and skilled worship - don't really know their backgrounds - how do they deal with their gifts
Love your point on gifted and spectacular worship, that's something I'd like to think about more. Bach's signature SDG/Soli Deo Gloria (To the glory of God alone) thing is very cool, and apparently he was told his music was so showy it was sinful, so that definitely all fits into this topic. Can you be the world's greatest composer without getting a proud heart even though the gift is from God?
Thanks for this thought provoking article Graham. Singing a Getty song in the shower is one of my favourite things even if I am subjecting the whole street to my singing.
Haha that's excellent! Not that we're not saying the Gettys are uncool or anything 😉
love some Getty!