So I missed the regular Sunday service to promote counselling services to the youth at WM. Before the service, the youth leader, upon hearing that I was from a BP Church, expressed concern as to whether I'll be able to worship properly. I smiled and assured her I would be fine. She said, "Today, should be fine, it's quieter."
I emerged traumatised.
It isn't like I haven't been to contemporary worship services before. Perhaps then the whole worship was more convincing, because everyone would be fully into the whole mood of arm raising and head shaking. This one, not everyone was as engaged, some people looked clearly awkward and uncomfortable, some kept their hands folded, some just stood around and watched the people on stage sing. The speakers were on at full volume, the drums were drowning the singer who had her throat popping veins trying to make herself heard. The songs, mostly Hillsong types, were about alien concepts such as the 'Jesus Generation', and I spent the rest of the time figuring out if that was meant to be literal or metaphorical because it means nothing and everything at the same time. Then they sang some 3 in one song about "Father Spirit Son" and I think I should stop writing about what I thought, because those were not very nice thoughts.
On the one hand I'm wondering if I'm being extremely judgmental, though I could just say it's a matter of personal preference. Or maybe it's the fact that all those seminars/messages on CCM are having it's delayed effect. Personal listening aside, when put in worship setting, when seeing so many people trying to emote (ok that's evil), it just felt extremely discomfiting.
Stich says, it's a way of reaching out to the youth. I suppose.
But what happened to silence and stillness on top of the cymbals and joyful noise? It felt like one big ra-ra rally, and the 10 minute sermon after a 35 minute praise&worship session didn't really help either.
