Hi everyone, or if anyone is still reading this site,
If you missed the annual lecture, too bad. I think it will be available online soon.
James gave a lecture unlike what I had expected. I think he only touched the surface of the topic, but left lots of space for questions.
My conclusion, as also alluded by Jane, is what is wrong being mind manipulated by God, and so for worship, why not let our emotions raise us up. After all, our emotions are also made by God, but like all parts of the human flesh/psyche, they can be misused. If we let our emotions be employed during worship, we connect with God not just in our mind and knowing so, but feeling so. I think both are equally dangerous if abused or confused by the wrong reasons.
So, if one can be so theologically clever, but have no inclination to impact the church, then all that knowledge is of no use. Likewise, if the worship is so emotional, but no reference to God is there, then it is no better than going to a discotheque!
What worries me is that one can become so emotional, that worship becomes fun or chic or cool or by itself enjoyable. Because that is not worship at all. This is a danger always when the music composition is good and the songs have good lyrics plus melody, and beat of course, all very prevalent in Christian songs today unlike the hymn sung by James! ;-)
But there are so many kinds of Christian worship songs, for different purposes. But they should all draw us into wanting to just pour out our hearts to Jesus and Lord, and to hear Him speak to us like in our prayers. So for me, when sometims the music (often the drums) get too loud and I cannot hear myself pray in between the lyrics, I feel uncomfortable and disturbed. May be that is just me! When the worship continues, we should be inviting the Holy Spirit in us to commune with God and Jesus and us, so that it becomes a time of fellowship. Sometimes I break into singing a different tune, or in tongues, or just praying in tongues, or just in English, opening my heart to Him, telling Him about my day, and our dreams. I wonder if this is the worship that all Worship Leaders aspire from the congregation, because for me, I have worshipped that day!
Andrew C