Has the Church has Sold out to Ageism, Sexism and Cultural Models To Fill Seats and Meet Budgets?
Before jumping into the topic, I want to outline a clear disclaimer. If you have read my blog, website, writings (published in popular worship magazines), heard me speak at a conference or even read my recent book, you will likely catch the fact that one of my passions and callings in life is to equip people, raise up new leaders and develop younger worship leaders. In fact, for most of the 20 years I have been leading worship I have spent many years developing training and mentoring younger people. The goal for me is to release people called to ministry, regardless of their age, into a maturity, skillfulness and wisdom in using their gifting for the glory of God and benefit of the church.
That said, this article and interviews deal with something related to age. However, I do not want to be misunderstood. This is not an article directed to young people. This is an article and topic directed to pastors, ministers, eldership and leadership of local churches.
Author, speaker, Episcopal priest, and retreat facilitator Ian Morgan Cron helps with some excellent and succinct thoughts on the topics at hand. The purpose of the article is to unearth the issues and to begin talking about it. Please contribute to the discussion, post your thoughts, and get your local church leadership involved. It’s an important issue that church leadership needs to consider.
Several months ago I met a friend for tea and conversation. This friend is a well known, world traveled, award-winning artist, songwriter and worship leader. This person is in their 40’s, very much in demand around the world and recording albums. My friend is seen as a mentor to many other creative, artists, songwriters, and worship leaders. We were catching up on a couple years of happenings, when my friend said something in passing that jolted me a bit.
My friend said, "It's sad to see people who are not ready, replacing people who are mature in their gifting".
"What do you mean?", I asked.
"Kim, you don’t understand what is happening out there. I go to churches everywhere. Big churches, ‘happening churches’, ‘in churches’, and there is a sad trend going on. The big thing in ‘growing churches’ is that you don’t keep or hire a worship leader unless they are under 30", my friend exclaimed, "honestly, in almost every church I go to that you hear of as a ‘cool’, ‘up-and-coming’ or ‘growing’ church- they simply won’t hire a worship leader who isn’t under 30."
My friend and I continued our discussion, but I was so surprised by what they said, it stayed in my mind for days.
Another time last year, I was doing a consulting call with a church who asked for some help with how to transition from one worship leader to another. The goal of the pastor- to move to younger music. The worship leader being replaced was 60 years old. The new guy- mid-20s.
A few months ago, I had the opportunity to meet with and interview author Ian Morgan Cron (Chasing Francis: A Pilgrim's Tale, and Jesus, My Father, The CIA, and Me: A Memoir. . . of Sorts ). In addition to speaking with me about his books and recent writing, he graciously talked to me about worship as well. In that conversation, I was surprised he began talking about his early work as a songwriter/artist in Nashville. We struck down the road of music, worship and church. At one point he talked about writing as a creative outlet that allowed him to continue in it at any age- as opposed to music artist/songwriting which often demanded youth. I realized for the first time he was talking about something I’d been hearing in church as well. I wondered if Ian might have some thoughts on the topic of age and music and worship.
What resulted was a great interview, that I have broken into 3 short clips dealing with the following topics:
Ageism In The Church
Commodified Religion
Women in Worship Leading.
What I love about Ian is that he has distilled a number of important points into a crisp discussion. There is more to be said, but he gets right to the point of some of the important underlying issues that are propelling decisions in local churches. Are we discriminating in our local churches for the sake of money, filling seats, and competing with the church down the road?
Let’s listen church, and then let’s talk.
Segment 1: Ageism In The Church (Length 2min 47secs)
The Calm That Keeps You Awake Lyrics by Knocked Loose is a latest song. Knocked Loose has created its tune while brand new The Calm That Keeps You Awake song lyrics are written by Knocked Loose.
Reader Comments (55)
John Morris, You gave me a lot to think about and what you said made so much sense to me and helped me to see things more clearly. We have recently started attending a church where the worship leader is a 58 year old woman with a positive attitude and a great heart. The church is not about being "mainstream" but is focusing on being real, which we feel a church should be.
"Christianity is not meant to flow in the same direction as culture, it is meant to be a counter-culture." Love it--so true!
I've also realized lately that many of the lyrics in songs make no sense to me and I'm an educated individual. It seems some of the songs are filled with fluff words in order to sound deep but are actually quite confusing if dissected.
I'm not anti-younger worship leaders but just think it takes a lot of years and prayer to form a mature, capable worship leader. As I see it (I've been in worship since age 13 and am now 51) it's advisable for younger worship leaders to study under seasoned, dedicated worship leaders for a period of time to gain experience musically and develop wisdom in dealing with situations that may arise, ESPECIALLY if leading a worship team.
God also showed me that in order to use my gifts I may have to step "outside the box" and that's okay. And now John Morris has confirmed it (bless you, brother)!
I am a 51 year old worship leader and I recently left my post and have joined a new church. They know I'm a musician and I also compose music. I have been all over the country conducting orchestras and playing. I have many published pieces etc.
I have a young son (17 years old), He is quite gifted. I have worked for many years with him. The new church has asked him to play and will not even talk to me about music.
I am so heart sick about it. We have a hip 21 year old, good looking guitar playing male leading. The team is so green and could use so much help. You are right on target here as I am living it.
It is so refreshing to watch such an intelligent interview with someone who clearly sees the folly of this non-biblical "age bias". Showing partiality is sin. It saddens me that such a situation could exist in the church. The church continues to become more superficial and less powerful. Many are choosing the inventions of man over the power of God. We are encouraging people to come in, sit down and "watch" us worship. Maybe because we think we are so good at it...... But in truth, there is no greater act of worship than simple obedience. It's about a yielded heart folks. You can't be a worship leader until you spend many hours as a worshipper. If you are not walking with God in humble obedience throughout the week, your performance on the "stage" is just a noisy gong before Almighty God. I don't care how "hip" you are. It's" wood, hay & stubble" If one person understands this it will be worth my effort here.
I have been writing songs for over 40 years. I still lead worship in various venues, and I turned 58 yesterday. Yep, I sure did! Now, I am as physically fit as most 40 year olds. Not because my job requires it (worship leading should never be viewed as a job), but because that's just who I am.
I don't try to look 30. That would be silly. But I don't feel like I have a disease just because I am 58. And I'm sorry, but I'll pass the torch when I can no longer pray, spend time alone with God, and then passionately sing Gods praises from a heart that is still amazed by His magnificent glory, and point others toward Him!
I am still inspired to write good songs. In fact, I write better today than I did when I was 25. And I play just as well.
Lastly, I LOVE a lot of the new YOUNG Christian bands and music that I hear. I play a lot of it myself. Good stuff! To you I say "Welcome aboard", but please don't try to throw me overboard. :-))
May God bless you whether you agree with me or not. I was called by God, not man.
). In addition to speaking with me about his books and recent writing, he graciously talked to me about worship as well. In that conversation, I was surprised he began talking about his early work as a songwriter/artist in Nashville. We struck down the road of music, worship and church. At one point he talked about writing as a creative outlet that allowed him to continue in it at any age- as opposed to music artist/songwriting which often demanded youth. I realized for the first time he was talking about something I’d been hearing in church as well. I wondered if Ian might have some thoughts on the topic of age and music and worship.
ageism,
Reader Comments (55)
John Morris, You gave me a lot to think about and what you said made so much sense to me and helped me to see things more clearly. We have recently started attending a church where the worship leader is a 58 year old woman with a positive attitude and a great heart. The church is not about being "mainstream" but is focusing on being real, which we feel a church should be.
"Christianity is not meant to flow in the same direction as culture, it is meant to be a counter-culture."
Love it--so true!
I've also realized lately that many of the lyrics in songs make no sense to me and I'm an educated individual. It seems some of the songs are filled with fluff words in order to sound deep but are actually quite confusing if dissected.
I'm not anti-younger worship leaders but just think it takes a lot of years and prayer to form a mature, capable worship leader. As I see it (I've been in worship since age 13 and am now 51) it's advisable for younger worship leaders to study under seasoned, dedicated worship leaders for a period of time to gain experience musically and develop wisdom in dealing with situations that may arise, ESPECIALLY if leading a worship team.
God also showed me that in order to use my gifts I may have to step "outside the box" and that's okay. And now John Morris has confirmed it (bless you, brother)!
Great stuff. This is a dialogue we must have if we are to drop out of the race for relevance and actually become spiritually relevant.
Hello Kim:
I am a 51 year old worship leader and I recently left my post and have joined a new church. They know I'm a musician and I also compose music. I have been all over the country conducting orchestras and playing. I have many published pieces etc.
I have a young son (17 years old), He is quite gifted. I have worked for many years with him. The new church has asked him to play and will not even talk to me about music.
I am so heart sick about it. We have a hip 21 year old, good looking guitar playing male leading. The team is so green and could use so much help. You are right on target here as I am living it.
Sadly,
kirt
It is so refreshing to watch such an intelligent interview with someone who clearly sees the folly of this non-biblical "age bias". Showing partiality is sin. It saddens me that such a situation could exist in the church.
The church continues to become more superficial and less powerful. Many are choosing the inventions of man over the power of God. We are encouraging people to come in, sit down and "watch" us worship. Maybe because we think we are so good at it......
But in truth, there is no greater act of worship than simple obedience.
It's about a yielded heart folks. You can't be a worship leader until you spend many hours as a worshipper.
If you are not walking with God in humble obedience throughout the week, your performance on the "stage" is just a noisy gong before Almighty God. I don't care how "hip" you are. It's" wood, hay & stubble"
If one person understands this it will be worth my effort here.
I have been writing songs for over 40 years. I still lead worship in various venues, and I turned 58 yesterday. Yep, I sure did! Now, I am as physically fit as most 40 year olds. Not because my job requires it (worship leading should never be viewed as a job), but because that's just who I am.
I don't try to look 30. That would be silly. But I don't feel like I have a disease just because I am 58. And I'm sorry, but I'll pass the torch when I can no longer pray, spend time alone with God, and then passionately sing Gods praises from a heart that is still amazed by His magnificent glory, and point others toward Him!
I am still inspired to write good songs. In fact, I write better today than I did when I was 25. And I play just as well.
Lastly, I LOVE a lot of the new YOUNG Christian bands and music that I hear. I play a lot of it myself. Good stuff!
To you I say "Welcome aboard", but please don't try to throw me overboard. :-))
May God bless you whether you agree with me or not. I was called by God, not man.
maribwahnd e3d3fd1842 https://posocial.com/resquisouti