Worship and Conflict

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Worship. When there’s conflict over Music

Church music has the power to uplift and carry people throughout their week by praising Jesus in memorable and beautiful tunes, even more so as modern harmonies instruments and writing are so developed. Sadly, throughout the years, church music decisions have often brought unresolved conflict, leading to division, heartache and people leaving churches. How can a church avoid this?

There are two main types of conflict that typically occur with church music teams. One happens between musicians and the congregation (or church leaders) and the second can occur internally between members of the music team.

Last year a church band drummer said to me, ‘I play as loud as I like and I don’t really care what people say to me.’ Clearly someone from his service had expressed an opinion at some point that the music was too loud.

They were right of course. The band was far too loud for the confined space. That morning I played a trumpet and I couldn’t hear what I was playing. Yet they were also wrong because well-meant advice from congregations can be quite unhelpful when it has musicians second guessing their craft. It’s hard to play in praise of God when you spend all the time worrying what others think. This is certainly not the best way to get feedback.

The Problem: when music becomes about individual taste

A congregational member said that they loved a hymn so we included it in the service, only for the minister deride it as ‘sentimental’ immediately afterwards. He clearly disliked it and was happy to publicly dismiss it. The person who chose it will never do so again and the one who liked it will never mention it again. In a number of different ways this didn’t conform with biblical principles on music in church gatherings.

Everyone has their own opinion about church songs because music is so personal. Perhaps this is why some churches are known for certain types of music and attract those who like their ‘style of worship’. But this means that they miss out on all of those who don’t. Which is a great contrast to the New Testament where people came to a church gathering because they wanted to know Christ and share with others who acknowledged Him.

There will always be the potential for conflict because music is such as personal thing and individuals have widely diverse tastes. We should not be surprised at this. What do the biblical writers have to say about this and more importantly, what do about this and more importantly, what do they see as the purpose of church music?

The Bible and Conflict

The Bible’s Purpose for Praise

Surprisingly, Paul says to the Corinthian Christians, a group terribly divided by conflict that, ‘to some extent there have to be arguments amongst you so that some are proven right.’ 1Cor 11:19

Conflict can be integral to finding truth as Paul did when he prosecuted the cause of the gospel in expatriate Jewish communities. However, conflict also exposes underlying attitudes and hurts that need resolving. Conflict comes from having different goals, from pride, envy and sometimes it compounds through a lack of clear directions from leaders or by ignoring scripture.

The New Testament view of Music

What then is the New Testament’s opinion on the role of music in church? The Apostle Paul states to the Corinthians that the purpose of any church gathering is for Christians to build each other up (surprisingly not to worship but that’s a discussion for another time.) If people are walking away from a church gathering feeling upset, ignored or perhaps even unvalued then the whole point of being a church is lost and a serious reset of values is needed.

“What am I saying….. When you meet together for worship, some of you have a song to sing. Some of you want to teach and some have special words from God. Some of you speak in special sounds and some of you tell what they mean. Everything should be done to help those who are meeting together to grow strong as Christians.” 1 Cor 14:26 NLV

Although there are only two times that it speaks directly about music, the New Testament is very clear. Everyone has the right to participate and to select music and the whole purpose of the music is to strengthen every member of the church. Therefore, the following principles will help resolve conflict. Most importantly, if everyone has an understanding that the role of music is to build each other up and that all the church has a right to contribute, then we will understand that our role is to serve and build each other up.

Principles for Resolving Conflict

Discuss with the Music team their purpose and ensure that everyone agrees
- Use Paul’s verse in Corinthians to reinforce that the music team is not giving a concert but providing support so that the members of the church can be built up. Perhaps include this on the application to join the music team so that everyone is clear at the start. This will be the initial point in resolving conflict within the music team.
Survey & communicate with the church
- Find out what songs the church likes; what parts work for them (for example, bridges might be too complicated or lack a distinct melody). Curate the results back through a neutral and diplomatic person who can ‘soften’ any harsh criticism but ‘speak the truth in love.’ Take the time to explain to the church why you are doing this. (It’s not an admission of failure, rather, being loving in order to enhance their praise.)
Deliberately choose a good music leader
- Too often I have seen church bands where the leadership is assumed. In one case, I saw a good guitarist leading who liked to put in complicated little turns or try new rhythms on traditional tunes which lost the congregation. They were the ‘default’ leader because they had been there the longest and so good new musicians came and went from the church- because their input was not appreciated and they realised that they could serve another church more effectively.
- All the church should be aware of the process and it goes without saying that the leader(s) is a good musician with a strong Christian faith. They interact with the pastors but also need tact. A leader should be chosen for a set period and should come before the pastors and church leaders and outline their vision. In other words, they are answerable to the whole body – as are we all. This will focus the leader’s skills on providing the best possible support as the music team enhances the praise.

Conflict can lead to Good Outcomes

Let me leave you with a word of encouragement. Like so many, I shy from conflict partly because of the way it has been so often handled. However, when godly leaders sit down and talk through an issue, so often there is reconciliation. Through the tears and emotional outpouring can come growth and when others see this they can learn from the experience. Our God died to take us from a place of hate and hurt and to grow us into maturity as his followers. Conflict is found at the centre of so much of human existence but through it, truth can be found and growth experienced.

Additional Materials

More General Guidance to Music Leaders

A personal plug: choose good music
- Choose songs that people can sing, like to sing and have power, depth and passion. Watch the congregation to see which songs they sing out on! These are songs that they like to sing.
Be judicious
- There is nothing intrinsically wrong about a trumpet being played in a service. However, as a player, my principle is to ensure that it supports the congregation. I might play a descant on the last verse but only after it’s clear that the audience feels confident with the melody. I’m also not keen to be standing where the focus is on me. And there is certainly no justifiable reason for a trumpet – or any other instrument being featured as a solo instrument for a length of time. The becomes a concert and the focus comes off Jesus and the people in the church who are praising and learning about Him from the music. High music standards are important but the music only present to support the singers and assist them to be inspired.
Be prepared to experiment & research
- How well are you reaching those people who don’t come to your church or maybe stopped coming? People come to a church because they like the preaching and music, they feel welcomed and there are opportunities for their children. Likewise, they stop coming for the same reasons. If the music is too loud, uninspiring, too difficult to sing or feels like a concert – i.e. they don’t like the music, they will consider leaving.

If your music is ‘all the same’, then it will appeal to a certain group of people but don’t you want diversity in your church so that you can cater for a variety of people who might walk in the door? Consider moving beyond one style. Remember, organisations like Praise Charts and CCLI promote the already successful writers. (In fact, if a writer doesn’t have a publishing deal, they can’t join Praise Charts.) There are many great songs out there which don’t get publicity because the writer is not part of a published group.

It’s time to find them.

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