VIBE

So this past week I've read two blog posts that really got me thinking. The first was this one from ChurchRelevance.com:

http://churchrelevance.com/qa-top-reasons-for-church-attendance/

The second again from Seth's blog (the real post Andrew meants for me to read):

http://sethgodin.typepad.com/seths_blog/2008/08/sing-it-please.html

So for those of you who won't bother to read those links the first is a series of stats about why people choose a church. The top two reasons: the preaching and the community/friendliness of people (worship style/music was WAY down the list!). The second post was a complaint about musicians playing things well but not being engaged...not creating a vibe.

This got me thinking about something I know already...people are way more concerned and attracted by the atmosphere of something than the inherent perfection or lack there of. When it comes to the church if everything isn't just so but there's a buzz in the place then people are attracted. When we worship, if the music isn't perfect but the worship leaders (read band) is into it and they're creating an atmosphere of worship then people can excuse little imperfections.

Now I still hold that we should be playing music well...as well as we can. I guess what I'm saying here is that good music isn't enough. When we lead worship or serve at our church in any capacity we're doing far more than filling a role. We're adding to the vibe. Positively or negatively we're adding to the vibe. What I really want to say here is that it's not enough to do your role well...you've got to play the right notes as it were AND do it in such a way that creates a vibe. To put it in a more biblical frame we must do things with the joy of the Lord bursting forth not just from our instruments (musical or otherwise) but from our souls and faces so that people will love what they see and hear and give glory to God for the joy he's put in this place.